GS500 chain tension?

[BigAl]

Chains rooted. Get a new one and sprockets. It aint gunna fix itself.

Yep that is my verdict after checking for ME, it was exactly as she described.

What is frustrating is that the bike has just had new tyres and the mech didn't inform her of this, yes bike taken in not just rims.

Good for her that she picked it up, how many newer riders would not have noticed.

Hopefully ME will give them a serve on Monday.

[SMOKEU]

Replace the chain and sprockets, or just the chain if and only if the sprockets are still in a very good condition.

[nzspokes]

Replace the chain and sprockets, or just the chain if and only if the sprockets are still in a very good condition.

No, change chain and sprockets. Used sprockets with a chain that worn will be stuffed.

[SMOKEU]

No, change chain and sprockets. Used sprockets with a chain that worn will be stuffed.

Not always. The chain on my GSXR was completely fucked, and had major tight spots. The sprockets were in a very good condition, and I even took it into a reputable bike mechanic who suggested I leave the existing sprockets on since they were in such a good condition. That is the exception, however, and usually I would replace the chain and sprockets all at the same time.

[bsasuper]

Yep that is my verdict after checking for ME, it was exactly as she described.

What is frustrating is that the bike has just had new tyres and the mech didn't inform her of this, yes bike taken in not just rims.

Good for her that she picked it up, how many newer riders would not have noticed.

Hopefully ME will give them a serve on Monday.

He probibly did pickup on the shagged chain/sprockets, but the problem is in some cases the customer turns around after the new chain sprockets or whatever are fitted and accuses the shop of doing it for extra $$$$, this would happen quite a bit at a shop I worked in, so the bosses instructions were do only the work the customer wants, even though several other faults were noticed.

[F5 Dave]

ok there's been some advice missing here.

Get someone to sit on the bike & then check.

On some bikes the chain tension changes quite dramatically. Once you know how much your bike does you will know how much to compensate for.


As it happens an old GF had a GS500 & man it changed heaps. Bike shop had changed the tyres once & adjusted the 'loose' chain, but when riding it was bowline tight.

Sounds like your mechanic was aware of this.

However yes tight spots are a bitch.

[BigAl]

ok there's been some advice missing here.

Get someone to sit on the bike & then check.

On some bikes the chain tension changes quite dramatically. Once you know how much your bike does you will know how much to compensate for.


As it happens an old GF had a GS500 & man it changed heaps. Bike shop had changed the tyres once & adjusted the 'loose' chain, but when riding it was bowline tight.

Sounds like your mechanic was aware of this.

However yes tight spots are a bitch.

Yep did this Dave and made tight spot even tighter, if mech knew of this and he must of as he had to put the wheel back in, then he is negligent imo.

[MystikEagle]

He probibly did pickup on the shagged chain/sprockets, but the problem is in some cases the customer turns around after the new chain sprockets or whatever are fitted and accuses the shop of doing it for extra $$$$, this would happen quite a bit at a shop I worked in, so the bosses instructions were do only the work the customer wants, even though several other faults were noticed.

That is a good reason for not changing the chain and sprokets but it still would have been nice to know about it. Or even a simple phone call to ask if I wanted them changed. Better yet, I was at the shop while waiting for the tyres to be fitted so he could have shown me the worn chain and asked me personally if I wanted him to fit a new one.

[\m/]

That is a good reason for not changing the chain and sprokets but it still would have been nice to know about it. Or even a simple phone call to ask if I wanted them changed. Better yet, I was at the shop while waiting for the tyres to be fitted so he could have shown me the worn chain and asked me personally if I wanted him to fit a new one.

What bike shop was this? I'm guessing that it wasn't Boyds as I've found them to be pretty good at pointing out when things need replacing.

[FJRider]

That is a good reason for not changing the chain and sprokets but it still would have been nice to know about it. Or even a simple phone call to ask if I wanted them changed. Better yet, I was at the shop while waiting for the tyres to be fitted so he could have shown me the worn chain and asked me personally if I wanted him to fit a new one.

If the apprentice did it (still at the $60 an hour charge out rate) ... he wouldn't know. Just following his instructions ...

[MystikEagle]

If the apprentice did it (still at the $60 an hour charge out rate) ... he wouldn't know. Just following his instructions ...

I beg to differ. Because he is an apprentice, he should know to look for these things. If he had just started then fair enough but he seems pretty clued up. Personally, I think he should have known better.

Ps. I have been taking the bike to Hamilton Motorcycles but thinking of going to Boyds seeing as they are the Suzuki specialists...

[FJRider]

I beg to differ. Because he is an apprentice, he should know to look for these things. If he had just started then fair enough but he seems pretty clued up. Personally, I think he should have known better.

Ps. I have been taking the bike to Hamilton Motorcycles but thinking of going to Boyds seeing as they are the Suzuki specialists...

It's not uncommon to have a "lad" work in shops after school/weekends that are not hired as an apprentice.

If you have issues with Hamilton Motorcycles ... take it up with them sooner, rather than later.

Suzuki dealers ... or Suzuki specialists ... ??? (they may not be one and the same) Often no real advantage going to the respective bike dealer.

[BigAl]

Suzuki dealers ... or Suzuki specialists ... ??? (they may not be one and the same) Often no real advantage going to the respective bike dealer.

Of course there are advantages in going to a shop that sells and services the particular brand you own/ride.

They work on them day in/day out and therefore get to know certain model idiosynchrosises(sp).

At the end of the day ME is learning about bikes real fast, all credit to her.

[MystikEagle]

Of course there are advantages in going to a shop that sells and services the particular brand you own/ride.

They work on them day in/day out and therefore get to know certain model idiosynchrosises(sp).

At the end of the day ME is learning about bikes real fast, all credit to her.

My thoughts exactly! Although I must say, Hamilton motorcycles finally did a thorough job on my bike and it is finally all fixed (even though it took three visits and numerous breakdowns). It all came down to a misaligned spring in the carb...

Ps. Thanks for the compliment! I love learning new things, it's something I'm good at