Chains - Tight spots

[Viney]

Why do chains get tight spots?

I understand that you get tight linkis and what have you, but why is it the chain gets tight in one place along its length? Is its the fact the sprockets elongate in one spot? Or just they do? Never understood it.

[Biker Biggles]

I think they should be called loose spots.When a chain wears it does so unevenly so bits of it stretch more than others.If it is then adjusted at the tightest point it will flap about at other points in the run,but if it gets adjusted at a looser point,it will pull tight at other points.Good quality sprockets should remain round at all times or all sorts of problems arise.

[Viney]

Ah, now that would be a sensible theory, one that i hadnt thought of. Thank you

BB's summed it up nicely, I think. A chain doesn't actually stretch as such; wear between the pins and what they bear on takes place. This is why you can 'pull' a worn chain away from the rear sprocket.

the o-rings get knackered over time too,

think of it this way viney, if each seal was perfect and the steel was perfect and the same ammount of perfect lube was in there = chain wear evenly.


if the seals are not perfect and the metal in one or 2 rollers not perfect and a minute difference in amount of lube in chain = chain wear unevenly.


i bet you have never ever lubed a chain and sprockets with an even ammount on each roller ever.


so the above explanations of loose spots is far better than the tight spots people refer too

Thought I'd resurrect this after a search.

I've got a couple of tight links on my chain- they are kind of kinked out of line a bit and I've noticed they creak around the front sprocket.
I've cleaned & lubed the chain (clearly not cleaned the chain often enough over winter) and the creak has lessened.

The tension still seems fairly uniform along the chain, so there doesn't seem to be a 'loose/tight spot' along the chain tension-wise.

So- with more frequent cleaning/lubing, can I work these tight links out? I've only done about 6-7K miles on the chain, which doesn't seem a great deal. How long should it last? (not sure of the brand, as was ordered in by fitters).

I'm looking at replacing it at the end of the month, unless I get a good excuse otherwise...

Anyone?

[yorkie_chris]

Properly clean and lubed you've a fair chance that the kinky links can move again

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by thedonal

...
So- with more frequent cleaning/lubing, can I work these tight links out? I've only done about 6-7K miles on the chain, which doesn't seem a great deal. How long should it last?
...

Yes, you should be able to.

Try using some thin penetrating oil, or ordinary engine oil and work the links until they move freely. It sounds like they have partially seized due to winter cack.

Once you've properly freed 'em, you should be able to lube with whatever you usually use and have many more miles happy chain life.