Chain too tight?

[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

[Northern ANdy]

slacken it off, spose the gearbox is extra clunky aswell?

[masterofinsanity]

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.

[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

[Caz]

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!!

[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)

[RedexRobB]

Maybe she meant 1 to 2 cm?? Might even jump off if its inches. But as per the manual 5 - 10 mm mate.

[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!

[deviant]

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....

[Caz]

you dont know how right you are am so glad its the weekend!