chain

[Sportygurl131]

ok another newb or blonde question

my sprokets look good
but ive noticed my chain is slacking (had it tightened)
and it looks a lil kinky

time to replace?

[beet]

most chains I see are to tight! chains stretch, but if ya take care of um they last good. I used ta use kero now I just use the wax ta clean um! I have ta look @ it ta see if shot.

[slammp]

If you have a rear stand lift it up and check it all the way around (wiggle each link to make sure they are not seized up). If you don't have a rear stand have a friend lean it over using the kick stand so the rear wheel is in the air and do the same thing. As long as all of the links move freely its fine - unless it is stretched too far, your swing arm should have a sticker on it showing where the chain should reach if it is within spec.

The other thing to check is that the chain is on the sprockets correctly. One side of the chain will always be a little tighter than the other as you spin it around and check, but I have seen where a sprocket skipped and the result is one side of the chain is very tight and the other too loose.

If everything checks out just lube it up and be done with it.

[xrocket21]

be acareful not to lose a finger screwing with your chain!

[beet]

be acareful not to lose a finger screwing with your chain!

be careful

[Sportygurl131]

ive cleaned it before! i dont stick my fingers near the chain... unless teh bike is off and not moving

[beet]

You can stop @ my place, & I will look!

[Sportygurl131]

You can stop @ my place, & I will look!

:wubs: hehe ur too far!

[Paul_E_D]

The way to check is to try to pull the chain away from the sprocket towards the back of the bike. If the chain has some slack at the back of the sprocket, it is stretched and needs replacing. I let mine go until I can see 1/4 inch of daylight between the sprocket and chain at the deepest part of the valley.

[beet]

The way to check is to try to pull the chain away from the sprocket towards the back of the bike. If the chain has some slack at the back of the sprocket, it is stretched and needs replacing. I let mine go until I can see 1/4 inch of daylight between the sprocket and chain at the deepest part of the valley.

There's a chain stretch gauge we use on fork trucks. http://www.drivesinc.com/roller-PDFs...r%20drives.pdf not this one but kinda

[DucDave]

Too tight is worst than too loose...up to a point of course.

Find a place that looks 'kinky' and push it up and down. It the 'kink' is just because it's dirty...or chain wax build up...it will 'unkink' when you do this. If it doesn't then it's probably shot and needs to be replaced...

[dodge1478]

sporty girl - I like kinky!......oh you meant your chain...my bad!

[ssg]

The way to check is to try to pull the chain away from the sprocket towards the back of the bike. If the chain has some slack at the back of the sprocket, it is stretched and needs replacing. I let mine go until I can see 1/4 inch of daylight between the sprocket and chain at the deepest part of the valley.

[DucDave]

The way to check is to try to pull the chain away from the sprocket towards the back of the bike. If the chain has some slack at the back of the sprocket, it is stretched and needs replacing. I let mine go until I can see 1/4 inch of daylight between the sprocket and chain at the deepest part of the valley.

Couldn't it just need adjusting?

[Paul_E_D]

Couldn't it just need adjusting?

No, I'm pulling the chain on the middle of the sprocket. Adjustment has no effect here because the teeth are holding it in place. This is a quick way to measure stretch.

[BURZA]

lets say I took the wheel off to have the tire changed. and I am now putting the wheel back on. How do I know that I have the proper amount of tension put back in the chain?

If I am pulling on the chain as it is wrapped around the rear sprocket, where am I pulling if the sprocket is related to a clock, such as the back most part of the sprocket is 3p.

thanks..
kinky is good, so long as it is not your chain.

[BostonSVkid]

Typically the manual tells you what kind of movement you should have in teh chain

I tyicall go 1" to 1.25" of play. You can check this with the bike on the ground or on a stand. Put a ruler behind the chain (on the under side of the swing arm) somehwere in the middle (just eyeball it). Then lift the chain up with your finger. If it moves over 1.25" i tighten it a bit. If you have under 1" then your chain could wear out early and stretch out faster.

[Danz19899]

i've actually helped in adjusting your chain what was it maybe a month ago now. It looked good then. Might just need to be lubed again. It was VERY loose when we adjusted it so who knows lol

i'll take a look at it next time i see it. got to do a little work on my bike so if its at the barn that will be very soon as i have a track day next wednesday

[G21forme]

Typically the manual tells you what kind of movement you should have in teh chain

I tyicall go 1" to 1.25" of play. You can check this with the bike on the ground or on a stand. Put a ruler behind the chain (on the under side of the swing arm) somehwere in the middle (just eyeball it). Then lift the chain up with your finger. If it moves over 1.25" i tighten it a bit. If you have under 1" then your chain could wear out early and stretch out faster.

That is going to be one tight chain if it only has 1.25" of slack.

[DuncanMoto]

You can always come visit me and I'll check it without harassing you sexually....




That's Komaki's job.

[intergalactic]

As much as I hate the feeling of a lot of chain slack, the alternative is that as the suspension moves through its range, it tightens the chain, and if you don't have the slack, the force in the chain gets VERY high.

This damages the chain and can damage the transmission by pulling very hard on the output shaft. The transmission and engine share castings on many (most) bikes, and damaging this is really expensive.

Err on the side of loose, I say.

That is going to be one tight chain if it only has 1.25" of slack.

[The Snowman]

That's Komaki's job.

She gives great hugs.

[Danz19899]

I just looked at your chain it is a bit loose i'll tighten it up tomorrow if your bikes still in the barn. Doesn't look like it needs to be replaced tho, ill check for tight spots.

[Sportygurl131]

I just looked at your chain it is a bit loose i'll tighten it up tomorrow if your bikes still in the barn. Doesn't look like it needs to be replaced tho, ill check for tight spots.

your awesome... i think i need to clean it completely then relube it

[Sportygurl131]

this will be the 3rd time its tightened this season