Chain Life

Reading what lube to use on chain thread and people are mentioning chain needing adjustment at 5k miles as being special, only 12k life out of the chain....

My bike has done 4.5k from new, ridden through winter/oiled lubed once a week at best, and hasn't needed the chain adjusting at all so far.

When is it supposed to be adjusted/replaced/whacked with a pointy stick?

really depends on your riding and your maintainence. Just check it every week and gauge when it needs adjusting; it only takes a quick poke to check after a ride.

My chain has been adjusted a couple of times in its 7000 mile life, but then im restricted so my chain dosnt suffer as much strain as it would on a full power bike, i imagine

Matt

[G]

Did you do the 4k service or did a dealer/garage?

Chances are it was adjusted then without you even knowing.

Mine had done 4500ish when I got rid and it had just had the chain adjusted and was not really showing any sign of wear. That was using PJ1 every 150- 200 miles.

[rictus01]

Just about any decent "o" ring chain should give a good return on minimal care, when fitted from new it will stretch a little needing adjustment to start with, then should be fine for most of it's life ( although obviously regular checks are needed).

A badly cared for chain can be knackered in as little as 2-3k, and once the seals have dried out the chain will wear quickly no matter how much lube you throw at it.

However, with regular maintinance it's possible to get between 30-50k, if you have a scottoiler it's really easy, but if using spray lube then every 200 miles or so (dependent on conditions).

Then at the other end of it's life, once the seals have gone and the internal lubrication has gone it will once again start to stretch, which means once the chain needs constant adjustment it's on it's way out.

On the SV (k2), the worst I got was 31k and the best 53k.

Cheers Mark.

Originally Posted by graemepaterson

Did you do the 4k service or did a dealer/garage?

Chances are it was adjusted then without you even knowing.

4k first service? For some reason I got it in my head it was at 6k for first real service. Better get it booked in.

the 600 mile service was done by garage, so might have been tweaked there, not been adjusted since.

if u ride smooth then its prob ok, how much slack is there in the chain? ive never adjusted my 1000 its never needed it.

Originally Posted by kwak zzr

if u ride smooth then its prob ok, how much slack is there in the chain? ive never adjusted my 1000 its never needed it.

Yup, cos you've been too busy cleaning it or racing Hovis for post count.

But as Kwak says, give the chain an easy life and it will last longer, fit a Scottoiler as well and it'll last a very long time.

Riding style determines what you will get from your chain. Smoke away from lights, wheelie often and don't lube and you will need new chain in 5k or even earlier.

Maintain it well, lube often and clean and you can get 15k plus from one.

Newbi question !!!

How is the best way to check your chain, and how slack should it be.

If it needs adjusting is it easy to do??

Like i said newbi question, advice needed. lol

I've never adjusted mine in 10k and I'm terrible at lubing it. Seems fine.... i think.