GN250 loose chain

[Filterer]

After the chain had come very loose at about 6000km the Bike went in for a service and the chain was tightened.

Now at 8000 km and after doing 400km in the weekend the chain is a loose as a goose again, sometimes when slowly down/changing gear I can hear the chain slapping the side stand.

Is this just a GN250 trait or am I doing something wrong, I've got some spray on chain stuff but to be honest don't use it very much.

Whats my best bet?

Tighten it myself (I don't know how much play is left in moving the back wheel back more)
Take it back to the shop, maybe they can remove a link
Get a new chain and regularly spray it

[Ixion]

Cheap chain, no lubrication, not surprised it needs adjustment after 2000km. That's not abnormal, you need to regularly lube and adjust.

You should learn to do this yourself, or your bike will be in the shop every other week.

It's not hard but make sure you know how to do it right, there have been several threads about , do a search.

[Filterer]

Cheers for that Ixion thats exactly the advice I was after. Bling coming
Edit: You must spread around etc

[cargr537]

I have just bought a 2004 model gn250 and have a similar problem. I think I can hear the chain slapping on the stand. The bike has just clicked over 15,000kms. Does anyone think I need a new chain and/or sprockets? If so, what sort of gear would you recommend? Appreciate your help.

[twinkle]

You can buy a chain and sprocket kit for $150ish, though you might only need the chain, my sprockets were like new still after 13000km, even though the chain was poked.
So far, after another 11,000km, the chain has needed adjusting twice :first:
Most people recommend that you replace chain and sprockets together.

[FROSTY]

Normally for a GN I wouldnt suggest an O ring chain but in both these cases I'd strongly suggest you buy a good quality O ring chain and have it fitted.
You wont adjust it much at all and lube wont be needed as often

[Paul in NZ]

If you are going to ride a motorcycle you need to do one of two things right now...

1. Learn to care for your chain drive system including cleaning, lubing and adjusting. Its not hard, the tools are cheap, it is often messy but ultimately its a part of the whole bike experience and it simply HAS to be done.......

2. Buy a shaft drive motorcycle now before you are stranded on the side of the road.

I'm not having a go at anyone but seiously - motorcycle designers pretty well assume you are going to do some basic maintenance yourself... They will soon fail if you ignore that.

[Drum]

Gotta agree with Paul here.

All riders must know how to tighten and maintain the chain. It's basic stuff really, and it only takes a couple of minutes.

[Drum]

I have just bought a 2004 model gn250 and have a similar problem. I think I can hear the chain slapping on the stand. The bike has just clicked over 15,000kms. Does anyone think I need a new chain and/or sprockets? If so, what sort of gear would you recommend? Appreciate your help.

Read this........

http://www.dansmc.com/rearchain.htm

[dell_boy]

I have a 2004 GN250 & over a period of time (about 10,000km) even with regular oiling and adjustment the chain stretched. I had the original chain replaced with a heavier duty non o ring chain. Yes, you do have to keep the chain oiled regularly - I do mine about every 250km (once a week), and you do have to make sure the chain is tensioned correctly - either by adjusting it yourself (make sure you know what you are doing) or getting somebody else to check it and do it for you.

[Conquiztador]

the later model GN's that are made in China comes with a poor quality chain. Recommend that U spend some money on a quality one and keep it oiled and properly adjusted. If not, then U soon be up for a set of sprockets too.

[Bullitt]

On my old SR the service manual recommended you check chain tension every 500ks. In the course of 10,000 ks it stretched a brand new chain enough that I had to replace it and sprockets which apparently is pretty normal. It dont surprise me a GN with 2,000 ks since its been adjusted has a loose chain.

It took me about an hour the first time I ever did it myself but once you get a bit of practice its a pretty quick job. Given how often its necessary Id recomend everyone should learn how to do it.

[xwhatsit]

Singles, even small capacity ones, do have a tendency to stretch chains due to the thumping power delivery.

You just need to properly maintain them. I use WD40 and a toothbrush to give it a good clean, then (leaving the WD40 on, it's not bad as a lubricant itself) add some sticky chain lube which gets plastered all over my rear wheel but keeps the chain wet for ages. The cleaning is important, O-ring chain or not.

With this technique I kept a half-worn non-O-ring chain going for nearly 15,000kms (was the previous owner's -- completely dry when I got it). And this is on a bike with the crappy Japanese domestic model hub, with no cush drive rubbers to take the shock out of the chain. There was still plenty of adjustment left on the swinging arm, but there were one or two tight spots and I'd just seen somebody with a chain through the crankcase so I got scared.

I'd love a full chain enclosure. I know they're not fashionable these days, but it would be very useful on a bike like mine, especially commuting in Auckland winters and the occasional gravel road.

[Steve 555]

is normal crc ok for the chain to cleain it with

[xwhatsit]

I don't know about CRC, try WD40; it smells nicer and there's more of a history of people using with chains, both O-ring and normal type. CRCs a bit different in formulation and I haven't heard anywhere near the number of people who use it regularly on their chains (with success too, I might add). They're about the same price anyway.

[cargr537]

Thanks. This is very helpful. Thanks also to everyone else for all your advice - all very useful.

[sunhuntin]

my 06 gn chain stretched out twice. the first time was returning from paeroa. second time [after it had been tightened] it was just general running around. it jumped off on a corner the day before it was due to go in.
they replaced the chain, and it was good. dunno if it still is; sold the bike not long after.

dont leave a stretched chain for too long. im lucky that corner was slow and i was able to coast safely. had it come off at a higher speed, it would have been a different story.

[FROSTY]

I think its definitely an area for concern with the late model GN's
Yes I agree chain tightening is a regular maintainence issue but those GN chains strech faster n taffy

[sunhuntin]

I think its definitely an area for concern with the late model GN's
Yes I agree chain tightening is a regular maintainence issue but those GN chains strech faster n taffy

woman im friends with is thinking of takin her gn down south. i told her that if she takes it, either learn how to fix the chain, or replace it. she reckons cos hers is brand new [800k] it dont need anything. wont listen when i tell her about mine... and both bikes from the same year!

[swbarnett]

wont listen when i tell her about mine... and both bikes from the same year!

She'll learn when it flops like crazy in the middle of nowhere. Mine's the same. Tighten it about every 1 - 2000km (possibly more frequent, can't remember).

[sunhuntin]

no kiddin, eh? i hope her husband carries a good set of tools!