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Chain too tight?

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:51 am
by Mat_2001mat
Hi all.

I've recently adjusted my chain as it was as loose as Hilary Clintons nether regions before.

It's quite tight now with not too much free play, just a mil or two. However it's starting to make a squeaky noise as the bike moves. I've put oil on the chain but only when the chains cold as i'm unable to ride it at the moment. Will it cause damage if I run it like this or will the chain stretch and sort it self out after a good running and then oiling?

Thanks for any advice :-)

Re: Chain too tight?

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:49 am
by Northern ANdy
slacken it off, spose the gearbox is extra clunky aswell?

Re: Chain too tight?

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 9:15 am
by masterofinsanity
Mat_2001mat wrote:Hi all.



It's quite tight now with not too much free play, just a mil or two.
Thanks for any advice :-)
you're supposed to have 5 - 10mm free play in your chain, and you have to measure i over several points as your chain will have tight spots, any less and you run the risk of snapping your chain and you don't want that to happen, at the least it will wear the chain and sprockets quicker.

Re: Chain too tight?

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:49 pm
by Mat_2001mat
Ok then I'l slacken it off. The strange this is a mate of mine who is a mechanic is the guy who tightened it for me.. Maybe he just over tightened it without realising...

Anyway il correct it myself later.

Thanks guys

Re: Chain too tight?

Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:32 pm
by Caz
Mat_2001mat wrote: It's quite tight now with not too much free play, just a mil or two.

loosen it off! there should be 1 - 2" free play, otherwise you run the risk of snapping your chain!!

Re: Chain too tight?

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:12 am
by deviant
1-2"? that's huge.

The swingarm sticker recommends 5-10mm. as said elsewhere make sure you measure several times around the length of the chain and make sure you have 5-10mm at the tightest point. I tend to go slightly on the loose side of the recommendation, but if you have 2" of play then you are going to have a very jerky ride.

Once you have done it, try it again with someone sitting on the bike. Some bikes tighten the chain as the suspension compresses (haven't really noticed it on the zxr)

Re: Chain too tight?

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:33 pm
by RedexRobB
Maybe she meant 1 to 2 cm?? Might even jump off if its inches. But as per the manual 5 - 10 mm mate.

Re: Chain too tight?

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:38 pm
by Caz
yah meant cm! sorry! and thanks for pointing it out!!!
damn american company means I get my units confused - half the time we are using imperial, the rest metric!

Re: Chain too tight?

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:38 pm
by deviant
Caz wrote:yah meant cm! sorry! and thanks for pointing it out!!!
damn american company means I get my units confused - half the time we are using imperial, the rest metric!
you'll be crashing your bike into mars next....

Re: Chain too tight?

Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:37 pm
by Caz
you dont know how right you are :P am so glad its the weekend!