si
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by si on Nov 24, 2008 1:01:15 GMT -5
Hey guys,
I'm sorry if this has been bought up before, i did a search couldn't find anything, this question is going to sound stupid so i hope i don't get flamed but what i wanted to know was, how often are you guys having to tighten the chain on your SR. I am new to motorcycles and my chain jumped off. I make sure my chain is lubed but the tension of the chain slipped my mind as i just thought that is something that gets done at time of servicing. Any help will be appreciated..
Cheers Guys,
Simon
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mikec
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by mikec on Nov 24, 2008 2:02:19 GMT -5
Hello Si,
No problem, here is the info you need.
According to my Owner's Manual, the tension on the chain only needs adjustment if the
free play is wrong. To check the free play it says to do this with the bike on the centre
stand, if you have one. Rotate the rear wheel and check the deflection up and down
of the chain midway between the bottom of the two sprockets. Do this a number of times
to check for the tightest spot on the chain. The total deflection, all the way up to all the
way down should be about 20mm (.8in).
Usually the chain will only jump off, if the sprockets are very worn and/or the chain is very
loose, OR the sprockets are out of alignment.
Check these and adjust as required.
It is not difficult, good luck.
Cheers, MikeC.
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Post by mattb on Nov 24, 2008 2:44:20 GMT -5
Good question (fortunately this is a pretty flame-proof forum, all grown-ups here). Definitely don't wait till service time to check your chain.
When I was commuting on the SR plus doing a long country ride on it every weekend (now its mostly just on joy riding duties), I'd need to tension the chain slightly about once a week.
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si
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by si on Nov 24, 2008 8:01:20 GMT -5
hey guys thanks for the advice.. i really didn't realise how much stress is put on the chain. I would have thought there would be heaps on a dirt bike not as much as on a road bike.
Thanks once again..
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Post by miker on Nov 24, 2008 10:57:40 GMT -5
Si - also worth knowing that you may have to adjust a "regular" chain more often than an X-ring or similar type chain, since the better lubed a chain is the less it will wear.
miker
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mikec
Junior Member
Posts: 60
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Post by mikec on Nov 25, 2008 1:53:15 GMT -5
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redgalvin
Junior Member
Posts: 95
Member is Online
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Post by redgalvin on Nov 25, 2008 21:11:37 GMT -5
Went through a few chains and sprockets on the old H1 kawasaki and seems like I was adjusting my chain tension all the time. 30 years later I bought a CB750 and put an O-ring chain on it and have only adjusted it twice in 17,000 mi. I'm sold on O-ring chains, but maybe I just don't work one as hard at 55 years old as I did when I was 20! Ride on!
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Post by solo2racr on Nov 25, 2008 23:11:09 GMT -5
It seems like I get much better mileage from a non "O" ring chain when I run the chain with a bit more slack. I normally run about 1"-1.25" (25-30mm). I am running a 520 Tsubaki QR chain. I lube it every few hundred miles. I bet I have only adjusted it twice in the last 1000 miles.
A little trick on keeping the alignment right on both the chain and the wheels is to NOT reference the marks but do a proper alignment and from there, when you adjust the chain, give each side the same amount of turns. Normally for me some where between 1/4 and 1/2 turns is all I need to readjust the chain.
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Post by caferacercarl on Nov 26, 2008 3:45:03 GMT -5
Yes the X ring or O ring types will cost you a little rear wheel horses [ and solo and I chase these as its 10%] but give good life I use DID VM grade chain on the non race bikes cheers.
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