Chain question

**WanaGo** · 14th March 2005, 21:52

Hey,

Yet another question about my bike - sorry if anyone is finding this annoying.

My chain was really quite tight after I rode to a job this afternoon, the guy at the place noticed it. Seemed like it was a bit tight really. I rode home, and when I got there, the chance was free as, like I could move it away from the back edge of the rear sprocket, and it was loose. Even after sitting for as long as it was sitting at the guys place, it was still free...
Is this something really odd, like could my back wheel be loose or something, or is it because the chain would have just warmed up and free'd up, or what?
I just oiled it with this spray on chain loob for motorbikes, foams up when you put it on, and is really quite tacky when cold. I put this on about a week ago.

Was thinking I might take the chain off this weekend, and give it a thorough clean with kero and re-oil it.

Any suggestions?

Cheers
WanaGo

**dhunt** · 14th March 2005, 22:02

James, check for tight spots in your chain and make sure all the links are moving freely. I've given up on that chain loob stuff it doesn't seem to do much for my chain and just gone back to using gear oil, looks better and keeps the chain in better nick.

**WanaGo** · 14th March 2005, 22:05

Righto - thanks David.

Ill give it a good clean on the weekend to get it all off, and all the crap out of it.
Bloody sticky stuff that is!
Hope the chain can be removed fairly easily - I dont have a centre stand to do it while its on the bike, taking it off will allow me to clean it better aswell.

Bed time!

Cheers
WanaGo

**Timber020** · 14th March 2005, 22:10

Was the bike parked a little different? Where you sitting on it? Was it in gear? alot of things can effect chain tension moment to moment.

**WanaGo** · 14th March 2005, 22:11

If the chain has tight spots, I wonder if this could cause the bike to be slightly jerky, esp if the tight spots are quite tight.... Like a pulsing sort of feeling... (which I am experiencing, but have put it down to other things)

Just a thought - opinions?

**dhunt** · 14th March 2005, 22:12

Originally Posted by WanaGo

Righto - thanks David.

Ill give it a good clean on the weekend to get it all off, and all the crap out of it.
Bloody sticky stuff that is!
Hope the chain can be removed fairly easily - I dont have a centre stand to do it while its on the bike, taking it off will allow me to clean it better aswell.

Bed time!

Cheers
WanaGo

Yeah would be a bit of pain without the old centre stand. I just found that lube stuff just stuck to everything and didn't do a good job of lubing the chain, rollers were getting shiny after very few k's. Cya tomorrow

**bugjuice** · 14th March 2005, 22:13

I remember a bike I built that had been in a shed in a box for 6 years. Just while I was lacking in money after replacing heaps of stuff, I skimped and didn't buy a new chain straight off.. I had the back wheel up, but forgot to check for tight spots like dhunt suggests. At some points, it was so tight, it was ready to snap something, at other points, it was ready to fall off all by itself. This was extreme, but the point is the same chain can show both sides.
Get the back wheel up and roll it round and round and keep checking the tightness on the chain. When you find the tightest spot, then adjust the chain there. Check it more, if it's too loose in the slack spot, then you might need to change the chain.. You might also find a difference in feedback on the pegs too after doing this..

hope I'm not teachin ya to suck eggs here..

**WanaGo** · 14th March 2005, 22:22

Originally Posted by Timber020

Was the bike parked a little different? Where you sitting on it? Was it in gear? alot of things can effect chain tension moment to moment.

Yeah I was sitting on it the first time actually... Good point.
I think I will do the chain strech test - Ive just been reading my Haynes manual, which says to change the sprockets and the chain together. Sounds expensive.
I hope my chain isnt stretched!
Is it actually a good idea to remove the chain and fully clean it up?

**WanaGo** · 14th March 2005, 22:30

Originally Posted by SpeedMedic

Yeah wot he said up there

Plus if the chain was tight as, and then when you got home you could pull it back away from the rear sprocket its new chain an sprokets time mate. No other way.
It could possibly be that the chain has pulled the rear wheel forward on that ride home but Idoubt it.. would be a very loose rear wheel.

Also you mentioned a pulsing feeling when you are riding.. is this more noticable when travelling slowly?? That is a sure sign of tight spots.

Now women pulse when you ride them.. and their tight spots are where??

lol
Also - bugger.... not that bugger.... Bugger as is 'oh damn'.
Yes it is more noticable at slower speeds.
Sounds like I have alot of work to do on it - if you have read all my posts lately, you will see what Im taking about.
*%$$#^%$#&^#&

WanaGo

**Stevo** · 14th March 2005, 23:59

Sounds like the ZX9R is not the bundle of joy you might have hoped for. My Mrs has a B2 ZX9R 94 and it seems to be hassle free. One careful lady owner mind you and no-one else allowed to touch it. Not even me. But that is not surprising really.
Cost of replacing chain and sprockets = $300????? Depending on Chain possibly
Cost of not replacing (chain jumps off, and jams back wheel or sumfink) = Crash!!!!!!!!!

Go figure.
Chains are like tyres. More you spend the better the quality generally. Personally I never skimp on tyres as I know what I ride/drive like so I know I need something to handle my hard riding and driving.

**WanaGo** · 15th March 2005, 20:22

Chain was tight when sitting on it, but loose when not sitting on it...

WanaGo

**Sensei** · 15th March 2005, 20:31

You should have approx 25-40 mm free play on the bottom chain .This depend's on type of bike but around this figure is about right . This should be checked with bike on it's side stand with no one on it . You can carefully put some wood etc under the otherside of swing arm to lift tyre of ground enough to spin back wheel to check tight spot's move wheel round in 1/4 turn's at a time & check free play on underside of chain ' If tight you will feel it easily . Hope this help's
SENSEI

**Uncle B** · 15th March 2005, 20:46

Gave my chain a clean on the weekend and noticed a tight spot....so I backed it off and went for a ride.....checked the chain tension half way and it looked and felt like a wet noodle. Took it easy on the way home

Got new chain/sprocket on order.