Adjusted the chain a few times on my Fireblade, and it sounds to tight, I have adjusted on and off a paddock stand and when I check the chain by hand it looks loose.
I keep the spacers set at the same settings.
The chain is coming to the end of its life, but it still should be ok for another couple of thousand miles, and thoughs?.
Chain driving me mental
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StormingHonda
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firestorm1997
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Re: Chain driving me mental
To my knowledge the chain should be adjusted with 1/2cm play up and down with rider sat on the bike.
If the chain is adjusted without the weight of the rider then when the rider sits on the bike any free play is taken up and the chain becomes tight.
If the chain is adjusted without the weight of the rider then when the rider sits on the bike any free play is taken up and the chain becomes tight.
Re: Chain driving me mental
Yep. It's difficult to adjust the chain accurately without the rider on it, or a mate of similar weight. Don't forget you're heavier with all your gear on....
It's not falling off, it's an upgrade opportunity.
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StormingHonda
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Re: Chain driving me mental
Ive seen and read abour having a rider on when you adjust the chain, this is well bizzare lol.
Re: Chain driving me mental
It's about the geometry, specifically the swingarm pivot point compared to the centreline of the sprocket.
When the rider's on board the position of the swingarm alters; you want to set the chain tension at the normal resting position of the SA. If you set it at the unloaded position, it becomes too tight at some points of the SA's movment range, or too slack, and the chain can then touch the link pipe, giving a slight but annoying rattle, which of course as soon as you get off the bike you can't find.
But if too loose it can also jump off the sprocket- ever seen a chain climb off going over the jump at Cadwell?
Of course, too tight and it can snap, as well as leading to very premature wear..
Best get it right, then....
When the rider's on board the position of the swingarm alters; you want to set the chain tension at the normal resting position of the SA. If you set it at the unloaded position, it becomes too tight at some points of the SA's movment range, or too slack, and the chain can then touch the link pipe, giving a slight but annoying rattle, which of course as soon as you get off the bike you can't find.
But if too loose it can also jump off the sprocket- ever seen a chain climb off going over the jump at Cadwell?
Of course, too tight and it can snap, as well as leading to very premature wear..
Best get it right, then....
It's not falling off, it's an upgrade opportunity.
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StormingHonda
- Posts: 1631
- Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2012 5:57 pm
- Location: Purfleet, Essex
Re: Chain driving me mental
Gave chain a damned good clean with WD40 and relubed, checked it and found that the chain slack was ok until the link/join went around the sprocket then it tightened up badly, which is what was making me fee resistance on the left foot peg, so I undone the chain at that point, its still a little and I mean a little tight and makes a fain noise when it hits the the tort part, but if I undo it to much its going to be too loose on the other part of the chain, so looks like a new chain and sprocket set in the work soon.