Model D chain is noisy, especially during recovery

[gcanyon]

I have a circa-2005 model D, all original equipment. Everything works fine -- even the shock cord, amazing after almost 20 years! But the chain/rollers are loud -- much louder than the fan. Especially the chain going back into the rower during recovery is loud. I honestly don't know if it's always been like this and I just didn't notice, or if it's gotten louder over time.

So: first, any thoughts on whether this is typical and I'm just imagining that it's louder now? Second, any maintenance I can do on the existing hardware to quiet it down? Third, would a replacement chain/hardware likely improve the situation? I'm looking at this video and not seeing the "kit" he refers to in the parts catalog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVn3VgKatXM

[gvcormac]

I have a circa-2005 model D, all original equipment. Everything works fine -- even the shock cord, amazing after almost 20 years! But the chain/rollers are loud -- much louder than the fan. Especially the chain going back into the rower during recovery is loud. I honestly don't know if it's always been like this and I just didn't notice, or if it's gotten louder over time.

So: first, any thoughts on whether this is typical and I'm just imagining that it's louder now? Second, any maintenance I can do on the existing hardware to quiet it down? Third, would a replacement chain/hardware likely improve the situation? I'm looking at this video and not seeing the "kit" he refers to in the parts catalog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVn3VgKatXM

Do you have a recording of the sound? I also have a 20-year-old Model D. I would say that at 100W the chain is louder than the fan (though they are completely different sounds, so this is subjective). Furthermore, when I wear noise-cancelling headphones I hear the chain (just a whir) and not the fan. At 200W the fan dominates.

Does your chain/gearing make a rattling noise or a fairly continuous whir/whine? Oiling might help a bit -- either the chain or the the bearings themselves. But it might just be chain wear. You can buy a new chain/sprocket from C2 for not too much money. I'm not sure if there's a chain measurement tool -- I have one that measures chain "stretch" for a bike (really wear of the joints but called stretch). But the C2 chain is thinner so that doesn't do it. C2 can probably tell you the nominal length of a link. So you measure 10 or 20 links. 1% stretch is probably the most you can tolerate.

[c2jonw]

Take a look at the chain routing inside the frame and confirm that the chain is running on the rollers. I've seen instances of the chain coming off the fixed roller and over time cutting through the axle. Also look at where the chain comes out of the frame and make sure it's not contacting something in that area. If that all looks ok then give the chain some oil and see if that helps. A new chain and sprocket might be necessary but if the machine has only been used in a home setting by a couple of people then I'd bet the chain and sprocket are likely ok.

[gcanyon]

Thanks for the suggestions. I doubt the chain has jumped off anything -- it's not *that* loud. I'm definitely thinking about replacing the chain/hardware. I'm also realizing how much the chain noise can be dampened by wrapping the body of the chain housing in a blanket.

[Ron Ginsberg]

One of the "new" features that was touted when this model came out was the new more quiet action of the chain and sprocket. A (I think neoprene) rubber washer is located on either side of the sprocket. This quiets the chain as it runs over the sprocket. Last year I decided to replace the chain and the sprocket on my 2004 model D with about 12-15 million meters on it. I don't really know that it needed it, but the machine was smoother and quieter. I think most of the change came from the rubber washers. The original washers had essentially disintegrated.

[YamR1Rider]

I've also got an early Model D, 2005 era. A couple of years back I replaced the original black chain with one of the newer shiny ones after using a different machine elsewhere. I wouldn't particularly say it quietened it down much, but the newer chains seem to be smoother to me and require less frequent oilings than the old type.