GS500 chain tension?

**MystikEagle** · 15th December 2012, 19:51

Hey guys, I'm a bit stuck on this one...

I had just washed my bike and was oiling the chain and noticed it looked a tad loose (I'm talking around the 2 inches of play mark

). Then the chain went around maybe half a revolution and was seriously tight (maybe 1cm of play, tops).
It got a new set of tyres about 3 or 4 weeks ago now and had the chain adjusted and oiled then.
Any ideas? Did he maybe not put the chain back on right? What can I do to fix it?

**BigAl** · 15th December 2012, 19:58

Most likely the chain is worn ME, although the shop should have checked this out.

2" inches is about max for free play and the tight spot of 1cm is too tight.

If you are in Ham tomorrow I'd happily check it for you.

**Geeen** · 15th December 2012, 19:58

Sounds to me like your chain has been stretched and is almost done.

Be a good idea to take Al up on his offer

**MystikEagle** · 15th December 2012, 20:04

Chain and sprocket seem to be in good condition but I'm not really too sure what I'm looking for...
I am planning on doing the christmas ride and bbq tomorrow with LOR if you are going along to that?
What are the dangers of riding with a stretched chain/loose chain/too tight chain???

**BigAl** · 15th December 2012, 20:53

There is a danger of the chain coming off if severely stretched/worn.

Also the tight section can cause unnecessary wear on gearbox bearings.

Do you have anyone nearby that could check it before the ride?

I'm not going on the Xmas ride but am in Hillcrest near uni if you wanted it checked.

**MystikEagle** · 15th December 2012, 20:56

Originally Posted by BigAl

There is a danger of the chain coming off if severely stretched/worn.

Also the tight section can cause unnecessary wear on gearbox bearings.

Do you have anyone nearby that could check it before the ride?

I'm not going on the Xmas ride but am in Hillcrest near uni if you wanted it checked.

That would be great if you don't mind??? I could meet you in Hillcrest before the ride if that would work for you???

**Warr** · 15th December 2012, 21:03

Originally Posted by MystikEagle

Chain and sprocket seem to be in good condition but I'm not really too sure what I'm looking for...
I am planning on doing the christmas ride and bbq tomorrow with LOR if you are going along to that?
What are the dangers of riding with a stretched chain/loose chain/too tight chain???

Hi ME, I'm planning on doing the LOR ride tomorrow. What time are you planning on being over in Hams?
What you are experiencing is not uncommon,, Its not ideal to continue to ride with a stretched chain. When you do get a new one fitted you will be surprised on how smooth the bike then goes !

**BigAl** · 15th December 2012, 21:05

Yeah no trouble ME, I'll pm you my address.

**FJRider** · 15th December 2012, 21:22

Originally Posted by MystikEagle

(I'm talking around the 2 inches of play mark

). Then the chain went around maybe half a revolution and was seriously tight (maybe 1cm of play, tops)

On each side of the rear axle is an adjuster. Both adjusters need to be set at the same distance from the axle center. There are usually marks on the adjuster body to assist with this. I am not sure about your bike though. A careful study with a tape measure will confirm if the axle is offset on one side. The chain tightening suggests the adjuster on the chain side of the bike is further back than the other.

That amount of difference SHOULD be obvious anyway. I'm betting the adjuster on the other side has come loose.

**bsasuper** · 16th December 2012, 06:02

Originally Posted by FJRider

On each side of the rear axle is an adjuster. Both adjusters need to be set at the same distance from the axle center. There are usually marks on the adjuster body to assist with this. I am not sure about your bike though. A careful study with a tape measure will confirm if the axle is offset on one side. The chain tightening suggests the adjuster on the chain side of the bike is further back than the other.

That amount of difference SHOULD be obvious anyway. I'm betting the adjuster on the other side has come loose.

No thats wrong, this is not going to fix it, think about it.

You need new chain/sprockets.

**FJRider** · 16th December 2012, 08:15

Originally Posted by bsasuper

No thats wrong, this is not going to fix it, think about it.

You need new chain/sprockets.

If it was just a stretched chain ... it would be slack for the full revolution of the chain.

She said the chain was slack (2 niches of play) ... then tightens to 1 cm as it revolves.

There is something more serious than stretched chain.

**bsasuper** · 16th December 2012, 08:50

Chains and sprockets wear in different spots, it doesnt take much wear on one part of the chain, and another part of a sprocket to get a big variation.

I have seen a bent output shaft with the same problem though, unlikley on a 500, so I would still point to a shagged chain/sprockets.

Last chain and sprockets I put on had this much variation from new, was a dodgy front sprocket not machined concentric, and it was only 0.2mm out.

**paturoa** · 16th December 2012, 08:57

Originally Posted by FJRider

If it was just a stretched chain ... it would be slack for the full revolution of the chain.

She said the chain was slack (2 niches of play) ... then tightens to 1 cm as it revolves.

There is something more serious than stretched chain.

Nope.

Myth here is that the chain stretches. It doesn't, well at least the plates don't. What happens is that the pins and the holes they go through wear. The net result is that these small wear dimensions add up over the length of the chain so that it gets longer and we say that it has stretched. Incidentally you can also make it shorter than a new chain as well.

It is also common for a chain to "stretch" unevenly. Particularly common for non o-ring chains when left exposed to the weather as the chain guard, gear box etc shelters part of the chain and it is exposed else where to water. Another common cause is the retards at the bike shops who know better and water blast your bike when you get it serviced. Or those at home. Never water blast a chain.

Anyhoo, the net effect is that as the chain rotates it gives the appearance of tight, loose, tight, loose etc.

To see if this has happened and it isn't something else, mark a chain plate with something visible, white paint or such like, and see if it happens at the same location as the cahin goes around every time.

No fixing is possible. Time to buy new chain and probably sprockets too (which is why I think the bike shops do this!)