Something Is Wrong with the Bike

I get by with a little help from my friends

When I left Dawson City towards Whitehorse, the bike started acting strangely. When the RPMs exceeded 4,000 (which is not much for a motorcycle), the bike seemed to “fart” and lose power. (I know, I know, hardly a technical description. But it is experientially accurate.) At first I thought it was the gas. I always fill up with premium, but I had to use regular in Eagle Plains. I had a car that behaved this way if I didn’t put 93 in it.

I lowered my speed and mostly kept the issue from happening. After filling up twice with premium gas, I ruled out the fuel theory. My next theory was the air filter. Dempster Highway is extremely dusty, and the OEM air filter on the Triumph Scrambler is not great. I thought the bike was choking for lack of air.

I kept my speed low until I made it to Whitehorse, which is the big city around here. I headed to a self-service car wash. I figured I would wash the bike, which was disgusting, and then attempt to pull the air filter and clean it.

After the power wash, I started riding to dinner, and that’s when I realized my prior theories were definitely wrong. The dirt and mud must have deadened the sound, because without them, there was a loud and unmistakable clanking sound when I downshifted at the stoplight.

I immediately pulled into a gas station and encountered what you see in the picture. The chain was so loose, it looked kinked. Luckily, the sprockets still had teeth.

How did this happen? The hundreds of miles of rough dirt rode clearly adjusted things. However, remember that the Triumph dealership recently installed new tires for me. They obviously forgot to tighten a few things.

If you know me, you know I am not mechanically inclined. I called a good friend who is a great mechanic, sent him the picture above, and asked him to walk me through the process of tightening the chain. (I know. The fact that I don’t normally service my own chain brings shame upon my household. I have no excuse. I should be tarred and feathered.)

But knowledge was not the only challenge. Loosening that big nut on the rear axle requires a rather large tool (27 mm socket and a long 1/2 inch drive to achieve proper torque). I do not carry such a tool with me. (I also needed 13 and 12 mm wrenches.)

I googled the nearest Canadian Tire—a weird amalgam of Lowes, Academy, and Best Buy. It was a block away! I left the bike at the pump and ran to the store, quickly buying what I needed.

My friend walked me through the process of tightening the chain. It took me a while. Again, make fun of me. I deserve it. But the bike is operational!

I will take it to a motorcycle shop in the morning. I want them to look over my work. A loose chain can destroy the sprockets. A tight chain can snap and cut off your leg. So, I do not mind paying for some expert help.

But, like with my near-death experience, I cannot help but thank the Lord. Whitehorse is the only place within hundreds of miles where I could have resolved this issue somewhat easily. And, having a mechanic friend willing to sit on the phone for an hour is an equally great blessing.

Here’s to friends. I’ll prepare your taxes, you fix my bike.