Uneven chain wear - SV650.org

rockster · 13-05-09, 08:55 PM

Would appreciate some advice - my chain had a couple of tight links in it, so I gave it a good clean with some paraffin, lubed it and the links seem OK now. Problem is that the play on the chain now varies from about 15mm at the tighest spot to about 35mm at the slackest. Does this sound like it's stretched unevenly because of the tight links? Is it new chain time?

Thanks

yorkie_chris · 13-05-09, 09:46 PM

Uneven stretch wouldn't really affect the slack. I reckon you've still got some tight bits.

13-05-09, 09:52 PM

+1 , you`ve probably got some packed in crud inbetween some links there , as a suggestion , run the chain for a couple of days (if it is safe to do so) and then clean it again , some of the crud may work itself out nicely . When it is on the bike and adjusted , can you pull it away from the rear sprocket in the opposite direction ---> .

What marker are you on with the chain alignment "Guides" ?

13-05-09, 09:56 PM

Chains don't stretch, they wear which increases the pitch. You have uneven wear on your chain caused by lubrication failure on individual links (the tight ones) accelerating their wear. You will probably find brown stains coming out of these links soon. It's powdered rust. If so, you will be forever adjusting it so time to replace.

DarrenSV650S · 13-05-09, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket

Chains don't stretch

Really?

yorkie_chris · 13-05-09, 09:59 PM

If they do it's a negligble amount. The wear ovals the bore through the links so they appear to stretch.

DarrenSV650S · 13-05-09, 10:01 PM

So what about a brand new chain that developed a tight spot after a few hundred miles

yorkie_chris · 13-05-09, 10:04 PM

That isn't stretching though is it, it's lubrication failure as rocket says.

rockster · 13-05-09, 10:06 PM

I thought there must still be some tight bits but I've been round the whole chain and can move all the links by hand. Took the front sprocket cover off too as I thought it would be easier to see tight links as they moved on/off the smaller sprocket - still looks ok (after I'd cleaned a huge amount of crud out from in there so I could see it!).

It doesn't pull clear of the rear sprocket, although I can move it a little. NB the measurements I quoted are on a paddock stand, not the side stand.

It's on the second guide mark (that's another story - i tried to tighten it a little, but was a bit ham fisted and overdid it, then lost count of number of turns when loosening it off and shoving the wheel forward again - spent ages with bits of string trying to get the wheels aligned...).

DarrenSV650S · 13-05-09, 10:07 PM

I don't see how when I have a scotoiler fitted. Oh and the tight spot has now gone after re-adjustment and more miles

13-05-09, 08:55 PM	#1
rockster Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: West Lothian Posts: 41	Uneven chain wear Would appreciate some advice - my chain had a couple of tight links in it, so I gave it a good clean with some paraffin, lubed it and the links seem OK now. Problem is that the play on the chain now varies from about 15mm at the tighest spot to about 35mm at the slackest. Does this sound like it's stretched unevenly because of the tight links? Is it new chain time? Thanks __________________ Naked K3. Mods: Little thermometer thing stuck on with a bit o' velcro

13-05-09, 09:46 PM	#2
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Uneven chain wear Uneven stretch wouldn't really affect the slack. I reckon you've still got some tight bits. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

13-05-09, 09:52 PM	#3
xXBADGERXx Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Uneven chain wear +1 , you`ve probably got some packed in crud inbetween some links there , as a suggestion , run the chain for a couple of days (if it is safe to do so) and then clean it again , some of the crud may work itself out nicely . When it is on the bike and adjusted , can you pull it away from the rear sprocket in the opposite direction ---> . What marker are you on with the chain alignment "Guides" ?

13-05-09, 09:56 PM	#4
Rocket Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Uneven chain wear Chains don't stretch, they wear which increases the pitch. You have uneven wear on your chain caused by lubrication failure on individual links (the tight ones) accelerating their wear. You will probably find brown stains coming out of these links soon. It's powdered rust. If so, you will be forever adjusting it so time to replace.

13-05-09, 09:59 PM	#6
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Uneven chain wear If they do it's a negligble amount. The wear ovals the bore through the links so they appear to stretch. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

13-05-09, 10:01 PM	#7
DarrenSV650S Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dundee Posts: 4,414	Re: Uneven chain wear So what about a brand new chain that developed a tight spot after a few hundred miles

13-05-09, 10:04 PM	#8
yorkie_chris Noisy Git Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Halifax/Leeds Posts: 26,645	Re: Uneven chain wear That isn't stretching though is it, it's lubrication failure as rocket says. __________________ Currently Ex Biker Now rebuilding a 63' fishing trawler as a dive boat

13-05-09, 10:06 PM	#9
rockster Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: West Lothian Posts: 41	Re: Uneven chain wear I thought there must still be some tight bits but I've been round the whole chain and can move all the links by hand. Took the front sprocket cover off too as I thought it would be easier to see tight links as they moved on/off the smaller sprocket - still looks ok (after I'd cleaned a huge amount of crud out from in there so I could see it!). It doesn't pull clear of the rear sprocket, although I can move it a little. NB the measurements I quoted are on a paddock stand, not the side stand. It's on the second guide mark (that's another story - i tried to tighten it a little, but was a bit ham fisted and overdid it, then lost count of number of turns when loosening it off and shoving the wheel forward again - spent ages with bits of string trying to get the wheels aligned...). __________________ Naked K3. Mods: Little thermometer thing stuck on with a bit o' velcro

13-05-09, 10:07 PM	#10
DarrenSV650S Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dundee Posts: 4,414	Re: Uneven chain wear I don't see how when I have a scotoiler fitted. Oh and the tight spot has now gone after re-adjustment and more miles

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