All my bikes so far have been shaft drive so chains are very new to me.
I took my 1990 for a long hard ride yesterday. All up about 400 klms from Ipswich down the back way and out Numinbah Valley.
This morning when i went for a ride to the shops and back I heard what could be best described a a crunching sound. I idled along in first at slow speed and it was definately there. Got home and put it on the centre stand, put it in first and let out the clutch and it appears to be the chain as it was jumping around a bit.
Anyway a vid that might help with a correct diagnosis. I am thinking seized links but as i said chains are new to me.
Any ideas????
http://youtu.be/bBaoEFe2e0Y

 

Looks to me like the chain is too slack. Needs to be adjusted, if you don't know how just ask

 

Don't stress mine sounds just the same, has done so since the chain was new, chain now has 30,000ks on it and still sounds the same.

As Hawkwind said check adjustment, maybe also check for frozen links.
Also check rear wheel alignment to make sure it is straight so the chain runs true.

Aussie Johnno

 

And, if you're new to chains, I guess I'd better warn you that the rear wheel won't stay that nice white color for very long.

 

Buy some chain lube and lube her up. That should quiet things down a bit. Also, adjust chain if necessary- shop manuals are available in the Woirkshop Manual sub forum with instructions on how to do so.

 

Any chain running without a load is going to be ratcheting or crunching as you call it

But a binding old chain will make one hell of a racket to the point where you'd want to
take it out of gear and shutdown

Yours ain't too bad but if you don't know the history on the bike and are not that familiar
with sprocket and chain wear - I'd put a new kit on it.

 

Don't know if you put a new chain on and didn't put new sprockets on, IMO New chain and New sprockets at the same time.

 

Looks to me like it might be too tight in addition to being dry and binding

 

With the chain flicking up like that and making the noise its making its had it mate. I'd be throwing a nice new 530 gold link DID chain on there with JT or AFAM sprockets. Do it your self with a Motion Pro chain breaker/riveter and it will be good as new. I do all my own chains and sprockets. They are easy to do and I know they are done right. Cheers and good luck with it. Allow 25- 30 mm chain slack when sitting on the bike. I lube with Motul chain lube or BelRay both stick like **** to a blanket.