Chain wear

[yorkie_chris]

This is a good one for you mile munchers.

The chain on the bike (came with it when I bought it) is a DID, with I beleive OEM sprockets.
This one has been abused plenty by me, and is starting to show. Before I put the scottoiler on I was lubing it once every 2 days (100 miles ish) and having to adjust it every week. Since the scottoilers been on it hasn't lost its proper tension yet.
There is about 1/2" of sideways play in it.

Is it FUBAR? How long will it survive?

(scottoiler is a universal one, and it runs a full fill in about 400 miles)

Chris

[Flamin_Squirrel]

How many miles has it done, and what does losing its proper tension mean?

[yorkie_chris]

No idea how many miles, at least 5k with me

Losing its proper tension = going really slack and needing adjusting

[Spanner Man]

Morning old boy!

When you say 1/2 an inch of sideways play, whereabouts are you measuring it?

Cheers.

[ridelikeaturtle]

It would sound like something's not right w/the amt of readjusting you were doing, as every 100-ish miles is WAY too frequent. Checking the tension every 600-ish miles would seem more normal, and that doesn't necessarily mean readjusting it (if it's been lubed properly it may not need adjustment.)

I just put a Scottoiler on my SV and so far I haven't needed to do any adjustment; though I didn't have to do any adjustment before since I kept it properly lubed anyway.

I've had a motrax 'lubetronic' on my ZX9R and haven't had to readjust the chain for nearly 4000kms. (Aside: the 'lubetronic' is roughly the same cost, is electronically operated (not vacuum), and seems to have a much longer range than the Scottoiler. So far I prefer it to the Scottoiler, as its easier to maintain and install.)

If your new Scottoiler seems to be doing the job, just keep an eye on things and you're probably fine.

Sorry I don't seem to be a whole lot of help...

[Baph]

I've never had to adjust a chain in the last 30,000 miles. (and yes, I check it frequently). :D

What's my secret? 2000 miles a month on the bike, constantly lubing the chain (properly - as in stripping the old stuff off with parafin & re-applying every couple of days). The distance means I'm frequently getting new rubber fitted, and they've always checked the chain tension then (and adjusted if needed).

But seriously, if 1/2 inch sideways movement is in the middle of the two sprokets (perticularly on the bottom rather than the top), I wouldn't worry about it.

Try pulling the chain backwards off the rear sproket & see how much of the tooth is revealed, and try moving the chain sideways at the top of the rear sprocket.

[Alpinestarhero]

What do the teeth look like? Are they "hooked"? This would indicate time for renewal. I lube my chain every week with wurth chain lube (although I dont really like it, it seems too dry and I'm sure thats not good) after cleaning all the crap off. I've only had to adjust it once in about 3000 miles, and that was when I had new tyres fitted (much like baph, then)

Im sure the chain will be ok, but keep an eye on it and note any particular tight spots

Matt

[yorkie_chris]

Morning old boy!

When you say 1/2 an inch of sideways play, whereabouts are you measuring it?

Cheers.

the bottom run in between the sprockets.

It hasn't needed adjusting in the last 800 miles ish so not too bothered by it if that amount of play is normal, theres no tight spots in it so will leave it be.
The chain seems pretty wet with oil but theres very little fling on the back wheel, I'm guessing this means I've got the flwo about right?

[Spanner Man]

Morning old Horse.

The best way of determining how much wear a chain has, is to hold the chain tight by pushing the bottom run upwards with your left hand, & try to pull the chain off the sprocket at the 3 o'clock position with your right hand. Any movement suggests that the chain is starting to wear, if as Baph says you can expose the bottom of the teeth it's definitely on it's way out.

Cheers.

[dyzio]

Don't want to start a new thread so I'll post it here.

I gave my chain a clean with B&Q's white spirit (paraffin based) and I've also bought this (http://www.birdbrand.co.uk/acatalog/Premium_Paraffin.html)now.
Effect? Chain is CLEAN, however, it needs frequent adjustment now (every 300-500 miles).
Is that because the stuff I used is cr*p, and has damaged the chain,
or the chain is on it's way out (17k), I think it's the original one (DID, bike bought on 10k).
One other thing, this stuff is also great for cleaning rims :) Just hope the paraffin won't damage the tires... (?)

cheers

[Alpinestarhero]

I think at 17k you should be looking at a new chain and sprockets...mine was changed at 18,000 miles and was in a bad way...

Matt

[yorkie_chris]

Don't want to start a new thread so I'll post it here.

I gave my chain a clean with B&Q's white spirit (paraffin based) and I've also bought this (http://www.birdbrand.co.uk/acatalog/Premium_Paraffin.html)now.
Effect? Chain is CLEAN, however, it needs frequent adjustment now (every 300-500 miles).
Is that because the stuff I used is cr*p, and has damaged the chain,

The stuffs fine mate, its just not a lubricant!

Chains need oil or grease, just being clean isn't enough.

[Alpinestarhero]

The stuffs fine mate, its just not a lubricant!

Chains need oil or grease, just being clean isn't enough.

He;s right

get some chain lubricant on there; silkolene and wurth are good, I've used both (prefer silkolene at the moment)

Matt

[yorkie_chris]

Get a scottoiler

[dyzio]

The stuffs fine mate, its just not a lubricant!

Chains need oil or grease, just being clean isn't enough.

Forgot to mention, chain is lubed every week, and after cleaning.
I've been just worried if I damaged the chain or it simply reached it's limit.
I'll probably get a Scottliler with the new chain after the winter sleep :(

[northwind]

I think at 17k you should be looking at a new chain and sprockets...mine was changed at 18,000 miles and was in a bad way...


I just got 15000 out of an alloy sprocket though, steel with a scottoiler should last at least twice that if it's cared for really.

[yorkie_chris]

Mine with the scottoiler hasnt needed any attention at all since I fitted the oiler.
Seems to keep itself clean due to the flow of oil, I check tension weekly and it hasn't needed adjusting.

[dyzio]

yup, new chain & sprockets are on the shopping list, and of course a scottoiler.

I just got 15000 out of an alloy sprocket though, steel with a scottoiler should last at least twice that if it's cared for really.

So what is the advantage of an alloy sprocket? I assume that they are more expensive.

[yorkie_chris]

Lighter and look trick

The weight gives marginally better acceleration (mroe than normal weight loss as its a spinning component)
And as its unsprung weight theres a small improvement to handling theoretically.

Mostly they just look trick.

[northwind]

Yep, a weight reduction you won't notice, in return for a reduced lifespan. Bit of a mug's game really, but a good one, cared for, will still get more miles than a steel one, not cared for, so I don't really object too much. Steel makes more sense though.

[Lissa]

I think at 17k you should be looking at a new chain and sprockets...mine was changed at 18,000 miles and was in a bad way...

Matt

Blimey, we got 30,000 miles out of our original chain:D