Having Trouble Maintaining Proper Chain Tension

I installed a new chain about 2k miles ago. Since then, I can't seem to maintain a proper chain slack setting. I've had to adjust the chain several times already.

I follow the proper steps for adjusting the chain, but after fifty to a hundred miles later, the chain gets too loose.

Anyone have any ideas why this keeps happening and how to stop it?

Are you torquing down the tensioner bolt properly or is the chain constantly stretching? You post is not clear on which is the case....

[image: View Post]vanion2, on May 26 2009, 06:12 PM, said:

Are you torquing down the tensioner bolt properly or is the chain constantly stretching? You post is not clear on which is the case....

I'm using the proper torque on the pinch bolt.

I'm not sure if it's chain stretch or hub movement.

I'm going to go make an adjustment and make a couple marks on the hub/swingarm/etc to help determine what's going on here. But it's raining, so it'll have to wait a while.

I'm just trying to get some preliminary ideas and see if anyone else has had this issue.

[image: View Post]Alien VFR, on May 26 2009, 11:07 PM, said:

I installed a new chain about 2k miles ago. Since then, I can't seem to maintain a proper chain slack setting. I've had to adjust the chain several times already.

I follow the proper steps for adjusting the chain, but after fifty to a hundred miles later, the chain gets too loose.

Anyone have any ideas why this keeps happening and how to stop it?
I'm wondering if you also changed your sprockets with the chain as usually recommended. I suspect that there might be chain "bedding in" and accelerated(?) wear issues with when you combine them with used sprockets, and that might be what you're encountering with your new chain.
Just my theory.

Beck
95 VFR

[image: View Post]Beck, on May 26 2009, 06:30 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Alien VFR, on May 26 2009, 11:07 PM, said:

I installed a new chain about 2k miles ago. Since then, I can't seem to maintain a proper chain slack setting. I've had to adjust the chain several times already.

I follow the proper steps for adjusting the chain, but after fifty to a hundred miles later, the chain gets too loose.

Anyone have any ideas why this keeps happening and how to stop it?
I'm wondering if you also changed your sprockets with the chain as usually recommended. I suspect that there might be chain "bedding in" and accelerated(?) wear issues with when you combine them with used sprockets, and that might be what you're encountering with your new chain.
Just my theory.

Beck
95 VFR

I had new sprockets ready to install, but after matching the old ones with the new ones, there was no visible wear; they were the same shape as the new ones, so I didn't replace them.

[image: View Post]Alien VFR, on May 26 2009, 06:35 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Beck, on May 26 2009, 06:30 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Alien VFR, on May 26 2009, 11:07 PM, said:

I installed a new chain about 2k miles ago. Since then, I can't seem to maintain a proper chain slack setting. I've had to adjust the chain several times already.

I follow the proper steps for adjusting the chain, but after fifty to a hundred miles later, the chain gets too loose.

Anyone have any ideas why this keeps happening and how to stop it?
I'm wondering if you also changed your sprockets with the chain as usually recommended. I suspect that there might be chain "bedding in" and accelerated(?) wear issues with when you combine them with used sprockets, and that might be what you're encountering with your new chain.
Just my theory.

Beck
95 VFR

I had new sprockets ready to install, but after matching the old ones with the new ones, there was no visible wear; they were the same shape as the new ones, so I didn't replace them.



There is more to it than shape. Just because the teeth arent bent doesnt mean there is no wear.

My question is... WHAT CHAIN DID YOU PUT ON IT?

D.I.D.

And the plot thickens... I'm curious to know how your marking theory works out.

You might mark your essentric cam, to see if its rotating. Other than that it needs slack, the top black rubber on the swingarm, with rear wheel on the stand, it should be able to touch that rear edge of the rubber by pushing the chain down with out much pressure.

Too tight accelerates wear, and on the stand it will be looser than in a riding position


What DID, just got a VM professional myself, not noticing any stetch about 500 mile thus far

I take that back, mine did need adjustment, but I didnt set it up very well on, install

I've been a regina man for the last 80,000 mile, I'm trying the DID, we will see

noticed the wear on this sprocket compared to a new one, it has 53,000 mile on it and about 4 chains were run on it.

Outstanding wear, I attribute strictly to the chain lube , increased my life 4X on cs sprockets

my rear sprocket will go 100,000 miles

http://i136.photobuc...t73/ironpig.jpg

8K miles on a next to top of the line DID and I havent even had to adjust it yet.

[image: View Post]soichiro, on May 26 2009, 06:58 PM, said:

8K miles on a next to top of the line DID and I havent even had to adjust it yet.


Well, I set the chain up on the loose side(so I let it slide and see if it moves), it is 2.4 mm plating inner and outer, Id have to got to their heaviest chain for stronger and that only comes with 2.6mm outer plates.

But it has orings , instead of xrings, but I've never seen a bit of difference in life between an oring and an xring on life

Reginas zring design is crap, I had to run their regular orings, but they all come with lighter weight plating, thats why I try the DID, since people say they have good life

[image: View Post]spud786, on May 26 2009, 08:08 PM, said:

You might mark your essentric cam, to see if its rotating. Other than that it needs slack, the top black rubber on the swingarm, with rear wheel on the stand, it should be able to touch that rear edge of the rubber by pushing the chain down with out much pressure.

Too tight accelerates wear, and on the stand it will be looser than in a riding position


What DID, just got a VM professional myself, not noticing any stetch about 500 mile thus far

I take that back, mine did need adjustment, but I didnt set it up very well on, install

I've been a regina man for the last 80,000 mile, I'm trying the DID, we will see


Are you saying with the bike on the center stand or the side stand? (see above)

I would guess you are adjusting it to tight and you are stretching it. When the manual says the slack should be "X" it should require zero force while moving the chain up and down to get that measurement. A chain is not like a fan belt on a car.

The center stand

So I guess flipping it up on the bars and seat is not recomended for changing the chain :goofy:

Gary..now exiting comic mode :beer:

[image: View Post]spud786, on May 26 2009, 09:12 PM, said:

Well, I set the chain up on the loose side


Loose is not necessarily bad. I run my chains pretty loose (by manual specs, anyway) without any problems. I started doing this back in the ol' racing days. I run probably 50mm of slack, not the ~20mm that the spec says. It seems to minimize the need for adjustments.