Chain question.

[Specialone]

While running my rear wheel yesterday on a padock stand i noticed my chain a bit jumpy and seemed a bit loose, question is and this maybe stupid , if its on a paddock stand (only just bought this BTW) does the swingarm being raised make the chain slightly more slack, ie sprockets closer together.
Or...
Whats the normal mileage a chain would need adjusting from new roughly, i done less than 2.5k, rides fine only noticed it on the stand.
Thanks for any help
Phil

[Dave20046]

While running my rear wheel yesterday on a padock stand i noticed my chain a bit jumpy and seemed a bit loose, question is and this maybe stupid , if its on a paddock stand (only just bought this BTW) does the swingarm being raised make the chain slightly more slack, ie sprockets closer together.
Or...
Whats the normal mileage a chain would need adjusting from new roughly, i done less than 2.5k, rides fine only noticed it on the stand.
Thanks for any help
Phil
Yes, always check chain tension on the side stand (or when sat on it - I check my slack with my weight on the bike).

Chains generally want adjusting like 50-150 miles after first fitment as they stretch, from there on in it's as and when.

Edit - from my experience. there's hundreds/thousands of people far more qualified to comment than me on here!

[warrenhewitt10]

u should have about 3/4 and inch of movement, with it on the paddock stand there is no force on the wheel for it fo pull against and the riders weight will also mean the chain isnt as loose due to the swingarm moving up more.

mine does it aswell but havnt had any trouble so far

[Specialone]

I think in manual it says something like 30mm of up and down movement at its furthest unsupported point.
You confirmed what i thought about paddock stand, cos on the road it seems fine.
Will check with me on it just to be clear.

[yorkie_chris]

Just check all the links. I had a 20k mile tsubaki that was fine for 110 of 112 links, other 2 links had worn a fair bit and had a couple of mm of movement along their length.

[Specialone]

Just check all the links. I had a 20k mile tsubaki that was fine for 110 of 112 links, other 2 links had worn a fair bit and had a couple of mm of movement along their length.
Chain looks brand new, bikes covered less than 2.5k with me riding ie not fast.
Just wondering how much adjustment, if any, a chain of this age would need on average.

[warrenhewitt10]

Just check all the links. I had a 20k mile tsubaki that was fine for 110 of 112 links, other 2 links had worn a fair bit and had a couple of mm of movement along their length.

112?? is that not at least 2/4 more than ur supposed to have

[yorkie_chris]

Yes 2 more as had 3 teeth up on back sprocket. Probably didn't need it in retrospect.

[warrenhewitt10]

yeh i thot of that just after i clicked post lol jus wondering yc are u some sort of mechanic? ur knowledge of all things motorbike is rather extensive

[warrenhewitt10]

apologise for going off subject ill stop now lol

[yorkie_chris]

yeh i thot of that just after i clicked post lol jus wondering yc are u some sort of mechanic? ur knowledge of all things motorbike is rather extensive

Student of mechanical engineering BEng. Spend most of my life either reading about bikes fettling or riding them. Do bits of work for any local .orgers and am doing pit-crew duties for Berlin as he's racing this season.

[warrenhewitt10]

ah! ive wondered for a good while u always have an answer for everything lol

[MHP ltd]

cheap chains will need adjusting once a week, a good chain will barely need adjustment once a month.
unless some muppet has fitted the rivet link badly.....!

[rictus01]

a good chain will barely need adjustment once a month.

once a month you say, Hmmmmm, news to me, how much improvement in longevity can I expect doing that then ?

Cheers Mark.

[davepreston]

ah! ive wondered for a good while u always have an answer for everything lol
yes he does and it normal ends with "but that was dave prestons fault"
yc is the yoda of the sv side of the force (he's not to shabby with gixxers too)

[MHP ltd]

once a month you say, Hmmmmm, news to me, how much improvement in longevity can I expect doing that then ?

Cheers Mark.

what chain do you use at the moment, and i will compare to say DID VM?

[rictus01]

a good chain will barely need adjustment once a month.

once a month you say, Hmmmmm, news to me, how much improvement in longevity can I expect doing that then ?

Cheers Mark.

what chain do you use at the moment, and i will compare to say DID VM?

OK, I've a DID gold thing on the S3, an RK on the S4 and whatever comes stock on the Superduke.

the S3's hasn't needed adjusting at all in 4 years, the S4's has had one adjustment in 6,000 miles which was about November, and the superduke hasn't needed any adjustment in 2,500 miles, I must have great chains then :smt102

Cheers Mark.

[MHP ltd]

smiling all the way for sure, you have it.

Gold DID is surpassing itself. :D

Rk is holding up well. :eek:

hopefully the duke has a DID too.

note, DID dont recommend a race chain for endurance racing, just threr heavy duty road chain ZVM and gold too.:drink:

[rictus01]

my racing days are long past, so no worries there, but I'm still wondering why chains need adjustment every month :smt102

I've always gone on use/mileage + whatever lubing method/frequency you use, I mean pack a chain in enough grease and don't use it, it'll last decades.

Cheers Mark.

[PackJack]

100% on board with the "adjust the chain based on usage, not time".
A quick check it everytime you clean and lube.
Original post said it was "jumpy".
Not mentioned yet: Check chain at different points while rotating.
Very important cause chains don't stretch evenly.

[ridelikeaturtle]

I don't care how cheap or great your chain is, if you don't lube and maintain it properly it'll be well ****ed, and it won't take very long to get that way.

[PackJack]

Well said Turtle.
Chain maintenance is about the easiest thing you'll ever do to your bike.
Perhaps one of the most important things also.
If you're replacing your chain, inspect your sprockets at the same time.
Otherwise that new chain will be shot very very quickly with worn sprockets.
About a $300USD touch for the package and install.