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chain tension

3K views 16 replies 7 participants last post by  mrzixer 
#1 ·
SO I am getting frustrated with my chain tension. I just had a new chain put on the bike when I bought it 4000 miles ago. The bike only had 900 previous miles so the sprockets were fresh. I am having to tighten it quite often. Like 2 nights ago did my suspension and chain, and today it already has too much slack. Any ideas what could cause this, or could it be normal chain wear.
 
#3 ·
How often do you ride and carry a pillion?
 
#4 ·
Havent in over a week. I do quite a bit of clutch up wheelies right now though, maybe that has something to do with it. Just seems crazy to adjust so much, and I ride every day
 
#5 ·
That would put some strain and stretching it..
 
G
#6 ·
Take a really really good look at your front sprocket. Just happened to me. It will stretch it. Mine just had a slight ramp it the tooth and that was enough to screw the chain up. I would adjust then have to readjust very shortly.
 
#7 ·
Make sure you're adjusting your slack at the tightest spot on the chain. Are you sure you're not just checking the chain at a looser spot and assuming it's stretching? Turn the wheel and keep checking the chain for tightness--you can feel it by hand. When you find the tight spot, adjust tension between 1 and 1.5 inches of travel, full up to full down at that spot. Re-check and adjust as necessary every other chain cleaning or so. I do mine every 500 miles-ish.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Right you are Larry,
OP, find your tight spot & mark it, Then do as Larry says.
Marking the spot will let you find it & check there every time.
Also spin the wheel forward not backward(hard to explain, but it makes a def)
Also are you torquing the axle down to spec?
Another thing push forward on the wheel/axle & hold to be sure its completely flush up against the adjusters before you tighten the axle.

Oh & guys chains do not stretch, That is a myth.
The rollers ware down & your sprockets valleys ware deeper.
Thus giving the impression that the chain has stretched.
 
#8 ·
as above ^^^

nothing wrong with wheelies hahahah kep it up
 
#10 ·
You do know to tighten it by the tightest spot on the chain?
With a new properly adjusted chain there should be very little deference.
As the chain wares tight spots will be more pronounced.

Understand that if your not checking it by the tight spot & doing as Larry suggested you might be doing,
(adjusting to a different spot each time) that will leave the tight spot >to tight<
That will increse chain ware & put other componits under undue stress.
It can in fact be dangerus.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Iv read to many articles by so-called experts that say it ant so. LOL
But really do you believe the side plates, (steel mind you) actually stretch?
Your saying you believe that the chain actually stretches?
All the magazines say its rubbish.

It does get a bit longer,
This is due to the rollers wearing down, which allows more play/slack in the side plates.
That would be the inner sideplates.
 
#14 ·
Something is happening because I almost need to adjust it every other day. And I did adjust for the tightest spot. Guess its just an excuse to get some Vortex sprockets and a new chain. Any recommendations on a chain? Also I was thinking about going -1 in the front.
 
#15 ·
I adjust my chain after every 4th or 5th pass. You put a lot of stress on a drive train if you ride hard. Clutch up wheelies puts a strain on the system. Pulling to the limiter in 1st gear before you shift puts a big amount of stress on the drive train. 1st to 2nd is the hardest shift on the bike. I'd rather the chain be the weak spot, than it be the tranny.
 
#17 ·
Not sure what kind of chain the dealership put it on. I am thinking about investing in the rivet tool to do my next chain on my own. Seems pretty simple as long as you have the tool. And thanks Landspeed I guess I am just riding a bit hard. I will keep adjusting. Just was concerned something with the sprockets was wrong with it needing adjusted so often.
 
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