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chain tension

whyjay

Road Rash
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Was doing some spring maint. on the bike: changing the oil, lubing the chain, etc. I decided to check the tension on the chain. The bike only has 3,100mi. It seems loose to me, but I cannot pull it back off the sprocket and it is within the factory specs for tension. However the chain can slap the chain guard near the front sprocket if I push it up there. Any thoughts....I was gonna put a couple turns on the tensioner to ease my thoughts, but I thought I'd put before the forum. (sorry description is so lengthy)
 
I'd say if it's within spec it should be good. Just make sure that you measured it the right way. Remember that the chain is a lot looser when the bike is on the centerstand vs. on the side stand. I'm not sure which way the spec calls for but that could make a big difference.
 
Check the chain tension at a number of points in the chain..... if it's within spec, leave it alone. Looser is better than too tight. At the same time, if you can actually hear it slap, rather than just thinking it might, I'd adjust it. Even then, I would keep the tension as near the 'loose' end of the adjustment as possible.

I always checked my chain on the center stand, with the bike OFF (smiles) in neutral.... that way, it's easy to rotate the rear tire so you could check various 'runs' of the chain. As I am sure you are aware, chains don't wear evenly.... once any link gets some slop in the pin/plate connection, that 'jerks' the next link, which starts to make that one wear.... then both of those, will pull on the next one..... The 'tight spot' are the links that have not been worn.

Most of my chains have worn out between 15 and 25K miles. Usually, they go more than half their life without needing any adjustment at all, just lube. Then, they'll need a slight adjustment, 3 months riding later, another, then the adjustments come a little more regularly.

When they get to the point where you need to adjust the chain monthly, it's time to replace.
 
Check the chain tension at a number of points in the chain..... if it's within spec, leave it alone. Looser is better than too tight. At the same time, if you can actually hear it slap, rather than just thinking it might, I'd adjust it. Even then, I would keep the tension as near the 'loose' end of the adjustment as possible.

I always checked my chain on the center stand, with the bike OFF (smiles) in neutral.... that way, it's easy to rotate the rear tire so you could check various 'runs' of the chain. As I am sure you are aware, chains don't wear evenly.... once any link gets some slop in the pin/plate connection, that 'jerks' the next link, which starts to make that one wear.... then both of those, will pull on the next one..... The 'tight spot' are the links that have not been worn.

Most of my chains have worn out between 15 and 25K miles. Usually, they go more than half their life without needing any adjustment at all, just lube. Then, they'll need a slight adjustment, 3 months riding later, another, then the adjustments come a little more regularly.

When they get to the point where you need to adjust the chain monthly, it's time to replace.

Couldn't have said it better myself:thumbup::thumbup:

Jerry
 
Thanks all for the advice. The chain shows the same spec in multiple points on the center stand so I am going to leave it.
 
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