chain help

sorted the slack on my chain today did about 35 miles.
checked it again and its really slack again.
its done this a few times. do you lot think i need a new chain?
theres still 6marks on the chain ajuster.

Originally Posted by lancasterlad

sorted the slack on my chain today did about 35 miles.
checked it again and its really slack again.
its done this a few times. do you lot think i need a new chain?
theres still 6marks on the chain ajuster.

Is there a tight spot in the chain?

Have you tried pulling the chain off the rear sprocket? If it can be pulled out a lot (say a good centimeter) i.e. towards the reg plate and it moves easily, then I would suggest you need new chains and sprockets. I have had a chain snap on me ... and it's no fun, though there was no long term damage, apart from the hassle and the fact that it took my clutch cable out as well. Plus I was doing about 90 (cough) on a motorway stretch (my own private road).

When I bought my bike used (6500 miles on clock) I used to adjust the chain and it was as bad a ride later. So, when the chain is sh*gged, it's sh*gged!

Tony

tight spot?
how do i check for one?

Put your bike on a paddock stand. Turn the rear wheel slowly, and as you do, you should be able to feel it just kind of jolt as you turn it. It will turn smoothly and if there is a tight spot, you will, at the said point, just feel a little resistance, and it will repeat as you revisit that same spot again ... there maybe more than one, also (though, hopefully not).

Tony

if there is a tight spot then what?
new chain?

Well, if combined with the fact that as soon as you say you adjust it, it goes out again, I would say so ... Do the pull off the rear sprocket check, as I also mentioned. Also, take into account how many miles it's done on the current chain and sprocket set up. Obviously, the lifespan can vary depending on how well looked after it's been i.e. regularly lubed, adjusted (appropriately) and so on.

As, it has been stated many times on the site, it always better for your chain to be slacker rather than tighter.

If you wish to keep your chain (bearing in mind all of the above) you need to adjust it at the tight spot, but then if there's more than one ... this is difficult.

If in doubt, get yourself a new chain and sprocket set and then you have peace of mind, for a good few thousand miles (and more, if you lube it well and even more if you fit a scottoiler.

Tony

thanks for your help mate. just been looking on the net chain and sprockets about £90-130 will get one tomorrow

This chain off the back of the sprocket....if the chain is loose will it not move off the back of the sprocket anyway as theres slack in the chain? How far does it move before its worn?

As far as I'm aware, the movement off the rear sprocket is more related to the shape of the sprocket once it has become worn rather than how tight the chain is ... I am sure one of our more technically able mega posters will know e.g. Sid Squid.