Chain/Rear Wheel questions (long post)

I'm having a few problems with my chain at the moment- I tighten it with about 20-30mm play, as per the manual, then ride for a while and becomes really tight. Then, if I slacken a little to the correct tension (quarter to half turn on the adjusters), the chain becomes REEEEAAALLY slack. There are a few notches left on the swingarm, but does this mean that the chain either

A) needs replacing
B) needs a link-ectomy or two?

Looks like there is a little wear on the front sprocket, but I'm not sure how to guage this- the back sprocket teeth look OK.

There is also a rubbing/sliding sound when the wheel turns (similar to the sound when you pass parked cars in the street)- more noticeable at speed and it affects the engine speed (though isn't caused by this)- I can feel a few vibes through the pegs with it too if I ride at 50 and pull the clutch lever in/drop the revs. The tyres were replaced a couple of months ago and the bearings seemed fine/not remarked about by the fitters- so I'm thinking it's either something to do with the chain or even the back brake (pads getting replaced next weekend- just at the end of the wear indicator).

I notice that the wheel/chain adjuster for the right hand side of the swing arm won't come out any further- the bolt just unscrews, so I can only tighten it- could it be that the wheel's not properly aligned? Each side is matched up and the ride doesn't feel noticeably different....

Any suggestions guys'n'gals? (thanks for reading the essay too!)

[fizzwheel]

Sounds like either your chains at the end of its life or that you have a tight spot on it, which also means its at the end of its life...

I'm sure somebody a bit more knowledagble than me will be along in a minute though...

First thing that springs to mind is tight spots in the chain.

When you are adjusting the chain, do you spin the rear wheel and check the slack at different parts of the chain.

If you have tight spots and are tightening the chain to the loose part then the chain will be stretched even more and the tight bits. This certainly sounds like what you are doing going by your description.

Having an over tightened chain can also cause the front sprocket spindle to bend.

Doesn't sound good at all. Especially with your comments about the adjusters at the back. You can't rely on the adjusters to ensure your rear wheel is in alignment either.

Take it off, soak in petrol overnight and try again. Don't forget to relube

Oh and assuming that you have the correct chain for that bike on. Then taking a link out is not the answer. It means it's stretched beyond what is good for you.

Try and pull the chain off the rear sprocket and the point furthers to the rear of the sprocket. If you can pull the chain off the sprocket more than a third, then it's stretched to the point of needing replacing.

Originally Posted by Manguish

Take it off, soak in petrol overnight and try again. Don't forget to relube

Eh?

How would this help?

Also check the front spocket nut is still tight, it might have worked its self off. I've seen it happen on mine.

Cheers Guys- rolled the bike about (!)- gets tighter and looser, so I'm thinking either the sprocket shaft is bent or the chain is stretched more in some places than others. Taking it to my mechanic for a check before getting it booked in. Hopefully it's the chain, not the shaft..! Gonna have to borrow again to cover this. Road tax time too.

This bike's costing me a bloody fortune! At some point, it will be cheaper than driving a 2litre automatic car, yes?!

Originally Posted by thedonal

Cheers Guys- rolled the bike about (!)- gets tighter and looser, so I'm thinking either the sprocket shaft is bent or the chain is stretched more in some places than others. Taking it to my mechanic for a check before getting it booked in. Hopefully it's the chain, not the shaft..! Gonna have to borrow again to cover this. Road tax time too.

Normally having a tight spot will not do damage to anything else so long as the chain is adjusted to the tightest spot and not the slack part. Seeing as you have already tightened the chain more than once to what must have been the tightest part, then there is indeed a possibility that other damage may have been caused. Let's be positive and hope not.

Originally Posted by thedonal

This bike's costing me a bloody fortune! At some point, it will be cheaper than driving a 2litre automatic car, yes?!

Now who told you that little porkie.

Yeah- I've only done limited miles with it really tight, so hopefully no major damage- I'd say knowing my luck, but some things on the bike have actually been simple stuff rather than problems, so I guess it goes both ways...!

Yep- I guess now I know the price of reduced fuel costs now!!! Oh- and far more joy,excitement and realising I'm alive than when I was driving a Laguna (read 2ltr Automatic BOAT! Well comfy car though and very pleasant to drive).