Does a slightly too lose chain sap power?

[ThEGr33k]

I been out on the bike today and part way into the ride I decided it was too slack after I have raised the rear ride height. Adjusted it to right slack and set off, got a monster power wheelie in 2nd! :-? Wouldn't do it before...

Strange!

[BanditPat]

I think it must just be today ;] i got a wheelie in 1'st 2nd and 3rd (only ickle ones but still...) coming home from work filtering, complete accident and i was fairly surprised. I was listening to a bit of N dubz and that always makes you faster....Oh and my chain had been tightened yesterday =] so it must sap a fair bit of power

[plowsie]

I think it must just be today ;] i got a wheelie in 1'st 2nd and 3rd (only ickle ones but still...) coming home from work filtering, complete accident and i was fairly surprised. I was listening to a bit of N dubz and that always makes you faster....Oh and my chain had been tightened yesterday =] so it must sap a fair bit of power
Oh Lord!

Nick, stop trying to make excuses, when the coppers catch you, they ain't gonna believe that I tell you now!

[Rich]

Perhaps if you shaved the beard you might get one in 3rd too!!! ;-)

[ThEGr33k]

Perhaps if you shaved the beard you might get one in 3rd too!!! ;-)

I sometimes get them in 3rd coming out of some of my favourite corners... I didn't give it full throttle today in 3rd though. Too much chance of the Fuzz on the roads :(

[Dave20046]

I think it must just be today ;] i got a wheelie in 1'st 2nd and 3rd (only ickle ones but still...) coming home from work filtering, complete accident and i was fairly surprised. I was listening to a bit of N dubz and that always makes you faster....Oh and my chain had been tightened yesterday =] so it must sap a fair bit of power
Aren't you restricted pat?

(nah-nah-naaah)

[Balky001]

a slightly loose chain doesn't zap power but you will get some slack on the throttle action to rear wheel. If it's tight the rear wheel responds quicker but make sure you still have slack as it can wear quickly.

[ThEGr33k]

I got about 25-30mm of slack, should be enough I think :)

[simesb]

I got about 25-30mm of slack, should be enough I think :)

Careful you don't overtighten it and break it :) Once is unfortunate, twice is ......

[Dave20046]

:-dd

[ThEGr33k]

Careful you don't overtighten it and break it :) Once is unfortunate, twice is ......

**** I know :(

Have you ever felt how warm a chain gets? Its not like burn your figure hot but it does warm up enough to be felt!

Just shows how much friction there is even when oiled well. So if its not oiled friction and heat must jump BAD! :-? Maybe my bad positioning of my scott oiler last time = not enough oil at some point = too much heat = the snap I got. It was as though heat had caused the link to break :(

So take it from me, make sure its oiled!!! ;)

[dizzyblonde]

Have you ever felt how warm a chain gets? Its not like burn your figure hot but it does warm up enough to be felt!

;)

well yes, I always oil my chain after a bit of a ride...ever heard the lube sizzzle as its sprayed on it? Gets well hot..lol

[Dave20046]

**** I know :(

Have you ever felt how warm a chain gets? Its not like burn your figure hot but it does warm up enough to be felt!

Just shows how much friction there is even when oiled well. So if its not oiled friction and heat must jump BAD! :-? Maybe my bad positioning of my scott oiler last time = not enough oil at some point = too much heat = the snap I got. It was as though heat had caused the link to break :(

So take it from me, make sure its oiled!!! ;)
Yep, gotta be warm to lube em :smt047

[ThEGr33k]

well yes, I always oil my chain after a bit of a ride...ever heard the lube sizzzle as its sprayed on it? Gets well hot..lol


Well I think my Snottoiler is cooling it, and with the amount of oil going on all the joins should be more than oiled enough. Keeps the temp down id imagine :D

[yorkie_chris]

I doubt it saps power worth mentioning.

However, you've just raised the ride height, which means the swingarm is pointing at a greater angle downwards, meaning the chain will tighten more at full bump.
So, in an extreme case you tightening the chain means that at lets say half compression (full chain extension with normal positioning of spindle vs sprockets), you've just locked the suspension. Explaining your unexpected wheelying, as the power surge normally squatting the rear has now gone straight into the chassis!
I believe TL's were prone to this behaviour with the chain slack set as per the manual.

So, after adjusting the ride height, wind the rear preload as far off as it'll go (without removing the spring...), and use a ratchet strap or something to compress the suspension all the way to the bump stop, make sure the chain ends up with a little bit of slack all through it's movement. Otherwise I see another long wait at the side of the M6 for g33k boy and his flaco!

[BanditPat]

Aren't you restricted pat?

(nah-nah-naaah)


The bike doesent need restricted because its bang on 33bhp at the back wheel... and if you redline it (18k revs) and drop the clutch it comes up a wee bit =]

[Dave20046]

oh are you the one on that 400?

[BillyC]

Does a slightly loose chain sap power? Yes, of course, there's more deformation of the chain, from which it must recover. It also doesn't do your gear changes any favours either.

[dizzyblonde]

aahhh cheers Gr33ky, you reminded me that Im Indoors drained my can of green snot lube...must be off to halfrauds for some more :-)

[punyXpress]

Too much chance of the Fuzz on the chin :(

Really cannot think of anything to say!

[sinbad]

I doubt it saps power worth mentioning.

However, you've just raised the ride height, which means the swingarm is pointing at a greater angle downwards, meaning the chain will tighten more at full bump.
So, in an extreme case you tightening the chain means that at lets say half compression (full chain extension with normal positioning of spindle vs sprockets), you've just locked the suspension. Explaining your unexpected wheelying, as the power surge normally squatting the rear has now gone straight into the chassis!
I believe TL's were prone to this behaviour with the chain slack set as per the manual.

So, after adjusting the ride height, wind the rear preload as far off as it'll go (without removing the spring...), and use a ratchet strap or something to compress the suspension all the way to the bump stop, make sure the chain ends up with a little bit of slack all through it's movement. Otherwise I see another long wait at the side of the M6 for g33k boy and his flaco!

Good thinking, well explained. It seems very plausible to me, the chain aint gonna like it if that happens :)

[punyXpress]

Could snap it ? :confused:

[ThEGr33k]

Could snap it ? :confused:


Aye :(

Looks like ill have to have a look intot that then :-? Just in case... though its not really supprising that at full throttle the front came up :rolleyes:

ha ha

You right about the Tl though mate...