Correct Chain tension?? - SV650.org

13-07-05, 02:59 PM

What is the correct amount of play that should be on the chain?

My bike has covered just over 1300 miles and the chain hasn't been tensioned since the 600 mile service.
I run the bike probably fairly easy as I am getting used to it, although since about 1000 miles I have started to give it a slightly harder time as my confidence grows. Saying that I am still far from quick and generally run at my own contented rate.

On the subject of chain tensioning, I do not have a Paddock stand so tensioning will have to wait until I get 1. I was thinking of the NWS centre stand, which is a bit more expensive but acts as both a front and a rear stand, so to me makes a lot of sense.
How do you rate this stand and any pointers as to where I could get 1 at the right money?

Thanks in advance.

13-07-05, 03:02 PM

About an inch in the full range of movement at the tightest point in the chain. It's good to do this with somebody on the bike as well.

The NWS stand is pretty fantastic. It's solid and very stable when in use. The Abba stand is similar but apparently slightly fiddlier to use.
You won't get one cheaper than the price direct from NWS, unless you can find a second hand one. I'm certainly not selling mine.

13-07-05, 03:08 PM

As Carsick says, adjustment at the tightest spot is the thing, in fact it's crucial. However at your very low mileage I would be most surprised if the chain had tight spots and that it needed adjusting at all.

Best to have it slightly too loose than too tight as the chain is loaded on compression of the rear shock and this can lead to an enormous strain on the chain, thus slightly looser is better.

As for someone sitting on the bike, in an ideal world this is true but not that necessary in reality, after all there is a fair bit of flexibility (sorry about the pun) in the amount of adjustment.

.

.

13-07-05, 03:17 PM

Out of curiousity, why does a chain develop tight spots. Is there anything that can be done to help minimise them, other than regular lubrication?

Biker Biggles · 13-07-05, 03:24 PM

I've always understood the term tightspot to be a misnomer.What a chain actually gets is loose spots where bits of it stretch due to poor lube or jerky riding. It just wears unevenly.

13-07-05, 03:25 PM

Tight spots are caused due to inefficient lubrication of the pins through the links. Now this should be covered by the O/X rings but they're far from infallible, hence the need for extra and regular loobing. So wear occurs in the hole through which the pins go in the link plates and wears away to form an oval shape rather than round. Thus you get lateral movement which causes the chain to stretch slightly. When the worn link/s reach halfway around the rear sprocket (where you can pull them away from the sprocket teeth) the chain becomes correspondingly tight at the halfway point just below the swingarm.

.

13-07-05, 07:49 PM

i went to tighten my chain and noticed that there is a huge difference between the tension, when somebody sits on it.

just be careful not to overtighten....
im thinking i might have done now, there is a slight noise when i wheel the bike by hand, its the chain tapping on the plastic runner at the front, but i havent noticed it before....

13-07-05, 02:59 PM	#1
GC-SV Guest Posts: n/a	Correct Chain tension?? What is the correct amount of play that should be on the chain? My bike has covered just over 1300 miles and the chain hasn't been tensioned since the 600 mile service. I run the bike probably fairly easy as I am getting used to it, although since about 1000 miles I have started to give it a slightly harder time as my confidence grows. Saying that I am still far from quick and generally run at my own contented rate. On the subject of chain tensioning, I do not have a Paddock stand so tensioning will have to wait until I get 1. I was thinking of the NWS centre stand, which is a bit more expensive but acts as both a front and a rear stand, so to me makes a lot of sense. How do you rate this stand and any pointers as to where I could get 1 at the right money? Thanks in advance.

13-07-05, 03:24 PM	#5
Biker Biggles Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Barnet Herts Posts: 5,071	I've always understood the term tightspot to be a misnomer.What a chain actually gets is loose spots where bits of it stretch due to poor lube or jerky riding. It just wears unevenly. __________________ On a clear day we stand there and look further than the ordinary eye can see.

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13-07-05, 03:02 PM	#2
Carsick Guest Posts: n/a	About an inch in the full range of movement at the tightest point in the chain. It's good to do this with somebody on the bike as well. The NWS stand is pretty fantastic. It's solid and very stable when in use. The Abba stand is similar but apparently slightly fiddlier to use. You won't get one cheaper than the price direct from NWS, unless you can find a second hand one. I'm certainly not selling mine.

13-07-05, 03:08 PM	#3
jonboy Guest Posts: n/a	As Carsick says, adjustment at the tightest spot is the thing, in fact it's crucial. However at your very low mileage I would be most surprised if the chain had tight spots and that it needed adjusting at all. Best to have it slightly too loose than too tight as the chain is loaded on compression of the rear shock and this can lead to an enormous strain on the chain, thus slightly looser is better. As for someone sitting on the bike, in an ideal world this is true but not that necessary in reality, after all there is a fair bit of flexibility (sorry about the pun) in the amount of adjustment. . .

13-07-05, 03:17 PM	#4
wyrdness Guest Posts: n/a	Out of curiousity, why does a chain develop tight spots. Is there anything that can be done to help minimise them, other than regular lubrication?

13-07-05, 03:25 PM	#6
jonboy Guest Posts: n/a	Tight spots are caused due to inefficient lubrication of the pins through the links. Now this should be covered by the O/X rings but they're far from infallible, hence the need for extra and regular loobing. So wear occurs in the hole through which the pins go in the link plates and wears away to form an oval shape rather than round. Thus you get lateral movement which causes the chain to stretch slightly. When the worn link/s reach halfway around the rear sprocket (where you can pull them away from the sprocket teeth) the chain becomes correspondingly tight at the halfway point just below the swingarm. .

13-07-05, 07:49 PM	#7
branny Guest Posts: n/a	i went to tighten my chain and noticed that there is a huge difference between the tension, when somebody sits on it. just be careful not to overtighten.... im thinking i might have done now, there is a slight noise when i wheel the bike by hand, its the chain tapping on the plastic runner at the front, but i havent noticed it before....