Have I damaged my new chain?

Hi All,

Have just got back from a short trip into town and thought I would have a quick look over the bike. When I examined the chain I noticed that it is extremely slack and needs adjusting imediately! I noticed that it has been rubbing on the top of the swingarm (at least i think that is what it is called?).





In the second photo you can see that it has worn down part of the swingarm, im just windering if this friction will have caused damage to the chain?

Also when checking the chain tension, should the chain be warm i.e. bike ridden first. I only ask because when I checked the chain tension for the first time, 50 miles ago (300 miles on the clock now) the chain tension seemed fine (but the bike had not been riden before checking).

no -that part on the swing arm is made to wear-its the place the chain would rub so no damage.Lube your chain it looks dry and is starting to get a rust coat.
I Check the chain tension before every ride just incase.

[yorkie_chris]

Nah, it's meant to rub there. How slack has it got?

The chain will touch the chain slider, it should glide over it rather than chew it up. Make sure the chain is at the right tension, it should be 20mm-30mm, measured and adjusted whilst on the side stand.

Need a good clean and oil though!

Originally Posted by husky03

no -that part on the swing arm is made to wear-its the place the chain would rub so no damage.Lube your chain it looks dry and is starting to get a rust coat.
I Check the chain tension before every ride just incase.

Cheers, for the advice. I intened to clean and lube my chain tomorrow. Am I right in thinking that I should clean the chain with parafin, then take it for a short ride and then lube the chain with the castrol chain wax I have bought? It is the short ride that I am unsure about, how short should it be? Or am I just talking jibberish? Also, how much chain wax to I put on?

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Nah, it's meant to rub there. How slack has it got?

Not sure exaxtly how slack it is, but it is definitely more than 30mm! Should the bike chain be warm before checking the tension? Cos when I checked it 2 days ago (50 miles ago) it seemed to be about 30mm, however the bike had not been ridden that day.

[yorkie_chris]

Nah check it cold. It doesn't change much. Also running it a little bit slack won't do any harm, too tight is bad though.

If it's a new chain, there's no need to clean it, especially with parafin. They also stretch when new so it'll need readjusting after about a weeks use.

Just use chain lube.

I used to sell fishing reels for use in salt water. every single warranty claim we ever had was from overzealous cleaners. We used to recommend that you give the reel a "quick rinse" after using it to clean off the salt. The guys who thought they'd really make sure it was rinsed would end up washing the grease out of the bearings and buggering up their reels.

If it's new, it'll be nice and clean and so just a spot of chain lube will be more than enough to keep it in good nick.

Once you've got a years worth of gunk all over it, then it's time for a clean with parafin. if you're careful with the chain lube, you'll never need a parrafin wash.

Cheers,
Carl

Originally Posted by Berlin

If it's a new chain, there's no need to clean it, especially with parafin.

Thats a new one for me, its never done any harm before in the years I have done it.

Originally Posted by Berlin

if you're careful with the chain lube, you'll never need a parrafin wash.

But chain lube doesn't clean, and it attracts dirt.

Originally Posted by Berlin

If it's a new chain, there's no need to clean it, especially with parafin. They also stretch when new so it'll need readjusting after about a weeks use.

Just use chain lube.

I used to sell fishing reels for use in salt water. every single warranty claim we ever had was from overzealous cleaners. We used to recommend that you give the reel a "quick rinse" after using it to clean off the salt. The guys who thought they'd really make sure it was rinsed would end up washing the grease out of the bearings and buggering up their reels.

If it's new, it'll be nice and clean and so just a spot of chain lube will be more than enough to keep it in good nick.

Once you've got a years worth of gunk all over it, then it's time for a clean with parafin. if you're careful with the chain lube, you'll never need a parrafin wash.

Cheers,
Carl

Do i not need to remove the surface rust with parafin yet then?