Alright, well I degreased and relubed the chain as recommended. I'm pretty sure there's less noise now, but it's still there.

Using the rope from crank to seatpost method I removed the cog. Luckily it wasn't stripped, so I did the same thing to get it back on. I'm still going to take it down to my LBS because you guys have scared me enough to do it. I'll have them tighten the lockring while they're at it.

What's the likelyhood of stripping a cog by applying too much force when putting it on? because I was afraid I was going to strip the cog when I put it back on... once it got tight it would take a lot of force for it to move at all, and when it did move it was in little clicks at a time. It reminded me of when a bolt spins around the thread and then clicks back into the thread... But I can't spin the cog anymore so I think that it's probably nice and tight. I'll still let my LBS check it out though.

Kind of like when you unscrew a soda bottle top, and still press down; it lifts up a little until is falls back in the thread again?

What you're describing sounds to me like something happened to the cog. You said it was a Soma, correct? Maybe switching to a better one will help, they don't have the best rep. EAI, Dura-Ace, Surly, Suntour are all good, strong, and thick.

It's damn near impossible to strip a cog threading by putting it on too tightly.

Rather late reply here...
But, I really doubt that the cog is spinning up over the thread and then clicking back down on it, I think I would have to spin it a lot more than what I did for that to happen. Anyhow, I've been riding it for the last few weeks and it's been fine.
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Instead of starting a new thread, I'll just post the new problem here. I've been hearing a creaking sound coming from the crank lately, it just popped up after a few weeks of riding. It sounds like metal being distressed a little, at first I thought maybe the crank arm was twising a little or the crank was bending, but I doubt that. But it's coming from the crank area and I'm hoping it's nothing serious. It usually happens when I'm doing a track stand.
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Here are pictures of my bike. When I created this thread I was disappointed, now I love my bike. Even if I did spend gobs of money to spend it, this bike is sweet.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ler002best.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ler011best.jpg
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ler012best.jpg

Nice looking conversion.

Ah ... the creaking sound ... rebuild the BB.

That thing must be dryier than Ms. Bush

Check the chainring and crank bolts and pedals too. Cool bike.

The BB is a cartridge type, and still fairly new.

I'd say the crank bolts are a likely source of the noise, and then perhaps the chainring bolts.

I've been saying all along to people this idea sucks. Why blow money on some old frame that is road geometry with a low Bottom bracket?

It does look nice though.

You guys know I'm right and for all the flaming responses that ensue I just have this to say....



























http://www.ebaumsworld.com/forumfun/misc13.jpg

MAn,...EFF that noise! Jeordi can see the SHADOW REALM!

JEordi> YUO~!!

"I've been hearing a creaking sound coming from the crank lately, it just popped up after a few weeks of riding. It sounds like metal being distressed a little, at first I thought maybe the crank arm was twising a little or the crank was bending, but I doubt that. But it's coming from the crank area and I'm hoping it's nothing serious. It usually happens when I'm doing a track stand."

Make sure to check your crank bolts. This could be causing these "creaks" and it could also be the route of your chainline problem. If the chainring side isn't tightened down enough it could cause those clicking noises in your chain. Also, what size chain/cog/chainring are you using? (1/8, 3/32) If it's a combo, that could also be a problem. Whatever you do, don't listen to 53-11. BTW, Nice conversion. Old brown frames are classy!!

Chainring bolts, pedals, BB, etc. seconded. That's the most common place to have noise troubles. Good luck.

I'm thinking that it might be the BB. I didn't have the right tool to install it myself, so I had my lbs do it, but I recall that it was kinda oily when it was installed. Seeing as it cost be five bucks to have it installed, and I really don't feel like disassembling my crank, would it matter if I just left it alone. Is it possible that it would dry out over time?

Oh, and apparently the chain line is fine. The guy at the bike shop said that it was a pretty normal amount of noise. They had a pista in the shop and it made the same amount of noise, so I'm not worried about it anymore.