After many many wonderful miles, from the day I picked her up on the 1st June 2008, through European trips, Spanish trips, Portugal trips, countless UK trips, snow, hail, wind, rain and baking sunshine. Over the trails of the Lakes and many other forgotten rides.
The relationship has ended.
It's time to replace the Chain & Sprocket set.
Why ? because the front sprocket has turned it's last turn, it's lost it's bite - literally!
Last night on the way back from another endeavour into the mountains the bike started to make some horrible noises, grinding noises under power <from a standing start>, at first it was only in 2nd gear and my fears of a gearbox rebuild started to loom. Then in all gears from a start, but never when under power (overtaking etc) I was becoming perplexed so I stopped and took a look.
Chain was fine, could do with a little tension, rear sprocket had all it's teeth so I set off again, taking it easy. All was well.
Returned home, whipped the front sprocket cover off to discover ever one of the teeth are worn down to about 3-4mm in length, I've seen pastry cutters with a more aggressive edge.
The chain is fine, as is the rear sprocket, but I think I've pushed my luck as far as I dare, I'll take this warning from the bike and say goodbye to the C&S set that has served me so well for so long - it almost made 4 years....
Bit of a bu99er it's Easter weekend though - and I've no transport..... the Landy has three tyres on the wear indicators (that's a 700 mile motorway trip for you), the Tenere is toothless and the TTR needs RFL ! I guess it's my daughters Micra and a paper bag!
I know... I'll get a photo up as soon as the camera has some battery life - another victim of overuse!