Chain/Rear Wheel questions (long post)

Originally Posted by thedonal

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).

I drive the Laguna Monaco. Well if I HAVE to drive the car, may as well drive one with some comforts

Nice. Before mine was written off, I was starting to think though "Smaller car! Smaller car!"

Think it'll have to be some sort of 1.4 runabout next, when I eventually get a car again (handy for being a musician and shopping, far less fun!). Though I'll have to hang around for a while, what with the cash this bike's already cost me in 6 months...

[Sid Squid]

What Big Ape said, particularly the advice about adjustment taking into account uneven wear of the chain, (tighter spots).

Don't soak an 'O' ring chain in petrol - if it isn't knackered now it might well be afterwards.

Originally Posted by thedonal

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.

You've got a bad tight spot there squire.

Get a new chain and sprockets fitted pronto, before it breaks and does some damage to you and the bike. I've had chains with these symptoms break in my youth, when I didn't know any better. I don't let them get that bad any more. The worst one took a chunk out of the back of my leg and destroyed the engine and bodywork of the GPZ1100 I owned at the time. Not fun.

Originally Posted by BigApe

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

It won't bend, it'll knacker the output shaft bearing really quickly though and cause all manner of damage to the gearbox as a result. Bike gearboxes aint as easy to repair or replace like car ones are.

Well- getting the chain & sprockets done next week (just popped in to see my mech.)- as long as I take it easy with acceleration/gear changes, should be alright. Lovely. Getting the back brake done and the positioning bolt on my right handlebar drilled and replaced too (was sheared in my off a while back).

Sweet relief..

Originally Posted by BigApe

You can't rely on the adjusters to ensure your rear wheel is in alignment either.

Just out of interest, what is the most accurate way of getting the correct alignment?

Cheers, Gaz.

Ruler?

Originally Posted by gazman

Just out of interest, what is the most accurate way of getting the correct alignment?

Cheers, Gaz.

Well there is the piece of string and ruler method. But this involves too much for me.

Basically every time I change my sprocket and chain I ride the bike down to my local tyre dealer and he does a laser track. Then when adjusting the chain I just make sure that I adjust both adjusters exactly the same.

There is no need to mess with the adjusters for any other purpose than adjusting the chain. You do not need to touch the adjusters when removing or inserting the wheel.

He charges me a whopping £5 for doing it. If I am having the tyres changed at the same time he will do it for nothing.

What is the piece of string and ruler method? Just measuring to the end of the swingarm? I've been having oh-so-much-fun with my GSX-R's chain adjustment today and I'd like to check it.

I tried to check the adjustment by getting it up on the paddock stand and running it in first whilst looking down the sides - I noticed the edge of the tyre appears uneven but the wheel itself looked in alignment.

I guess I should also clarify that I think I initially put it out of alignment by 1/3 of a turn of a bolt on one side - but the damn wheel looked in alignment still. It was only when I realised that the GSX-R adjusters are as crap as the SV's that I put it back.

Btw sorry this is not about an SV but I think the same questions would apply to an SV and it's useful so if it helps to pretend I'm asking about an SV, please do