2015 EC300 questions.

[Barbs]

Hi all. First time poster here and loving the forum.

I have recently got myself a new EC300 and have now put About 400km on it. After about 80 odd km of riding I put in a NEDJ needle #2 clip, left the 175 main and air screw around 2.5 turns. It rocks and plug checks all look good so far. I'm seriously loving the bike!

What I would like to know is do the gearboxes usually leave metallic residue on the sump plug? First oil change at 200km the plug was covered in fine metallic residue maybe 2-3mm thick all over the magnet, next change at 400 km still produced residue but only half as much. I'm hoping the residue is due to wearing in the engine.

Next question is regarding chain tension. When riding I can hear what sounds to me like chain slap or rattle. I have adjusted the chain as per the manual (35-60mm at the rear of the chain slider) but I'm concerned that it is too tight. When I compress the suspension the chain pulls tight and I'm worried it could be loading the gearbox bearings too much? At the moment the chain is looser than the manual specifies but I hear a chain rattle sound when the suspension is compressing. Is chain rattle a common thing on these bikes?

Thanks in advance.

Mark

 

[Jakobi]

A bit of build up on the transmission bolt is normal (in the early changes). It will reduce with time.

Best method to determine the chain tension is to pull the shock and run the swingarm through its stroke up. Find the tightest part and leave some play. Then measure from a point and record for memory. I just go by feel, but do run on the looser side and get a bit of slapping under light loads, high gears.

 

[Barbs]

Thanks Jakobi,
That is exactly what I am planning to do. Hopefully I can find the issue with this slapping. It is really bugging me.

 

[shang]

My last three bikes were KX450's which are notorious for chain noise and slider/guide wear. I've actually grown to like a bit of chain noise. I like the clacking sound when dropping to flat from a ledge or rock. But I run on the loose side as well.

 

[Barbs]

I am going from a KTM250sx to a EC300 and the sound is doing my head I'm riding sometimes. As long as its not doing damage ill get used to it.

 

[Neil E.]

If the noise really bugs you, put a strip of 3mm thick closed cell foam tape under the chain slider. The noise is a result of chain slap on top of the swing arm.

 

[Jakobi]

If the noise really bugs you, put a strip of 3mm thick closed cell foam tape under the chain slider. The noise is a result of chain slap on top of the swing arm.

Roger that! Or turn the throttle!

I only really notice it occassionally during transport sections where I'm sitting in 6th at around 50-60km. Never while riding. My old Yamaha 250F used to make heaps more noise, and the fix was the same as above (adhesive strip).

 

[gg3]

Mine had metal filings on the sump magnet on first oil change.Second change pretty clean.The chain slap can be annoying but better a little loose than too tight.