June 28th, 2018, 09:37 AM | #1 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
Location: Hartland, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 77
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Loose Chain...Tighten or Replace?
Hello guys!
So I have been riding my 2008 Ninja almost daily this season..had my tires replaced a month ago. Well, my chain is pretty loose. I checked the chain..doesn't have any seized links or anything of that nature that I see. Sprockets are not hooked. Was wondering if I could just tighten the chain up and get back on the road or if once it gets loose I have to replace. The bike has 13k on it...bought it with 9k on it so I am assuming it's the factory chain. What do you guys think? The shop quoted me at $275 JUST FOR LABOR. Do not really have the funds to drop on that at the moment. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks everyone!
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June 28th, 2018, 09:49 AM | #2 |
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Name: Kevin
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If it's just loose with no other bad signs, you should be good to just tighten it. People could give better advice if you post a couple pictures of your chain and sprockets.
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June 28th, 2018, 09:49 AM | #3 |
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No need to replace it if it's in good condition.
Set the tension (ok TJ - "slack") correctly at the tightest spot, and then spin the wheel - noting the change in "slack". If the change is significant, further investigation is needed and a replacement chain may be in-order. If you put a new chain on worn sprockets you can get accelerated chain wear and some odd noises and vibrations, so you are better to replace the chain and sprockets together. Chances are you will be fine with an adjustment. Last futzed with by jkv45; June 29th, 2018 at 07:25 AM. |
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June 28th, 2018, 09:51 AM | #4 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
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Chains need to be inspected and adjusted regularly, so you might as well get used to the procedure.
https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Final_Drive |
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June 28th, 2018, 12:32 PM | #5 |
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There's a service limit for chain wear. Here's the relevant shot of the page from the maintenance manual on how to check it.
If the chain is in good condition (not corroded, no tight links, etc.) then if it's within these limits it's good. Simply tighten so that you have between 0.8 and 1.2 inches of slack. If, after measuring the distance between pins as shown, it's out of spec, then replace the chain. And go buy the maintenance manual. It's worth every penny and then some. But after getting that quote from your mechanic, this should be obvious.
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June 28th, 2018, 02:41 PM | #6 |
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Takes 5-minutes to adjust chain-tension...
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June 28th, 2018, 03:30 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: john
Location: placerville
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ask me and i say replace the chain and sprockets.
i replace mine every season. 20 days at the track. my son tried to go a season and a half, and lost the chain and ripped a gaping hole in the swing arm , had to replace the swing arm, it was beyond repair. |
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June 28th, 2018, 03:51 PM | #8 |
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That’s a lot of chains but 20 is a lot of track days. Street only or mainly shouldn’t need replacing that often.
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June 28th, 2018, 04:34 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: john
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June 28th, 2018, 08:24 PM | #10 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
Location: Hartland, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 77
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Thanks everyone! I am going to adjust the tension and see how it works out. Of it doesn't meet spec I will be replacing the sprockets and chain myself. Is there a place online that is recommended to purchase these parts?
Thank you all so very much! This is why I love this forum. I will keep posted!
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June 28th, 2018, 09:14 PM | #11 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
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You're not adjusting the tension, you're adjusting it to get the correct amount of slack.
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June 28th, 2018, 09:57 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
Bill Bill
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June 28th, 2018, 10:21 PM | #13 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
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My apologies, that is what I intended to say.
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June 28th, 2018, 10:37 PM | #14 |
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Be prepared to learn to realign your rear wheel. It's a HUGE pain in the ass when you first learn it (at least I had a lot of trouble with it) but once you get it down, you become the master and all your friends are willing to buy you beer to work on their bikes
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June 28th, 2018, 11:08 PM | #15 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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Quote:
Bill
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June 29th, 2018, 06:43 AM | #16 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
Location: Hartland, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 77
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Hmm...so when adjusting chain slack you must align the rear wheel as well? Is it easy or hard? He said it was a pain...but that "how to" says it's pretty easy on the ninjette...
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June 29th, 2018, 07:18 AM | #17 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
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If the wheel is already aligned, and you carefully adjust the wheel to the rear the same amount on each side, it will still be aligned. I normally bring the adjuster bolts up to where they're starting to move the axle, and count wrench flats as I turn, six per turn, and turn the left and right one the same number of wrench flats.
The link I put in post #4 of this thread has a lot of information about aligning the wheel. |
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June 29th, 2018, 07:24 AM | #18 |
Rev Limiter
Name: Jay
Location: WI
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This video covers chain adjustment and wheel alignment -
http://www.canyonchasers.net/video/howto/chain.php |
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June 29th, 2018, 07:52 AM | #19 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
Location: Hartland, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 77
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Okie dokie. The URL says it was pretty easy that's why I was confused by the PITA assessment. As far as keeping track of turns, can I draw a marker on the bolt to keep track of how many turns on the adjuster bolt? Would that be a good idea? I just want to make sure I don't have to do alignment if I don't need to at the moment.
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June 29th, 2018, 08:18 AM | #20 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
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Use any method you like to assure that you move the axle the same amount on each side.
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June 29th, 2018, 09:37 AM | #21 | |
Rev Limiter
Name: Jay
Location: WI
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Quote:
That way when I make an adjustment I can easily duplicate the exact same amount on both sides without the need to always recheck alignment. |
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June 30th, 2018, 07:42 AM | #22 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
Location: Hartland, Michigan
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Alright guys and gals...
So I adjusted the chain a few minutes ago. There is uneven tension in the chain. There is one spot that is tighter than the rest. I adjusted to spec (1 inch.went between the .8-1.2) according to the tightest spot. This leaves the rest with more slack. I have decided that I will go ahead and replace the chain and sprockets. However, I am wondering If this is okay to ride on for the next week or so? Thoughts? I just do street riding...no track. Thanks everyone!
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June 30th, 2018, 08:01 AM | #23 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
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Have you lubed it recently? Sometimes tight spots are tight because the links are binding from lack of lubrication.
The only safe thing for us to tell you is don't ride it until it's replaced, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't lube mine and ride a few days if it's not overly chewed up. |
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June 30th, 2018, 08:24 AM | #24 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
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Yes. I just cleaned the chain about 400 miles or so ago with Maxima Clean Up and then used Dupont Chainsaver chain wax after that.
Is it decently easy to replace chain myself? Last summer I removed the carbs and all that (had Ducatiman do his magic) and put the carbs back in. That was alot to disassemble and such and I managed. Is this job easier or more difficult? JT Sprockets offers a Chain/Sprockets combo. Are they decent quality?
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June 30th, 2018, 08:35 AM | #25 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
Location: Hartland, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 77
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I was also considering buying the sprockets from JT Sprockets and then buying a DID X Ring chain. What do you think?
Also, is the 15T front sprocket mod really that great? If I decide to go that route...would a 42 rear be best to pair with?
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June 30th, 2018, 08:37 AM | #26 | |
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Keep us posted. Bill
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June 30th, 2018, 09:15 AM | #27 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
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Replacing the chain and sprockets is relatively easy, and that link I posted above should have all the information you need. But if you use a master link and clip like I do, make sure you know what you're doing and get it right. If you use a rivet tool, I guess the same thing applies. A chain that comes apart can be deadly when it locks the rear wheel unexpectedly at the wrong time in traffic.
I like RK X-ring chains for the quality and price. JT sprockets are good. As far as the sprocket ration you choose, that link I posted above has a lot of information about that, and should help you decide what you want. |
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June 30th, 2018, 10:00 AM | #28 |
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400-miles is a bit much. I prefer to lube chain every 200-250 miles on road, every 100-miles on track.
Did you measure actual chain-wear? You may be replacing perfectly fine chain with 1% wear with new perfectly fine chain. As others mentioned, you may have some tight spots here and there due to stiff links. You can see these as pairs that are slightly angled instead of straight. Are you applying it to inside surface of chain on lower run? |
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June 30th, 2018, 11:04 AM | #29 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: john
Location: placerville
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tight spots also acure because of any off center tolerance of sprocket to hub connection,
hence find the tight spot adj chain. i run my chain looser than the manual recomends, just so the chain almost touches bottom of swingarm near the end of the plastic chain guide. |
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June 30th, 2018, 11:50 AM | #30 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
Location: Hartland, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 77
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Here are some pictures of the chain at it's loose point. Sorry about all the dirt, it needs a wash and I live on a dirt road.
Used Dupont Chainsaver Chain wax. How should I check for actual chain wear? The chain has 13k on it...think the wax may have cause stiff links?
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June 30th, 2018, 11:52 AM | #31 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
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Join Date: Jul 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 77
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Thank you all for your knowledge. I'm becoming a better motorcycle owner..trying to learn and fix neglect and rookie mistakes.
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June 30th, 2018, 11:53 AM | #32 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
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The link I posted above (post #4) has a section called "When does the chain need replacement?", which gives a quick and easy way to tell how much the chain has worn.
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June 30th, 2018, 11:56 AM | #33 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
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The 3 things I see on the link...I don't really see "kinked" links just tight spots.(?) As far as the pulling at the back of the rear sprocket I get maybe almost half up the tooth..and the 100 mile adjustment I am unsure of as I just adjusted and found the uneven tension....should I replace all anyways?
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June 30th, 2018, 12:22 PM | #34 | ||
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Quote:
Quote:
Pulling chain away from sprocket is not good test. If you put brand-new chain on old sprocket, guess what? It pulls away quite a bit!!! Is your brand-new chain worn-out? Did those cheating lying creatins' sell you an old chain? No, it's just not good test. Here's real way to determine your chain-wear, measurements with NUMBERS!!!. Where your numbers as measured on your bike falls within tolerance limits will tell you if your chain is 10%, or 50% or 90% worn. Until you actually measure and come up with some numbers, you'll never know What is distance between 20-links on your chain? |
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June 30th, 2018, 01:04 PM | #35 |
Rev Limiter
Name: Jay
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Looking at it, I'd probably replace it.
If I bought a used bike and the chain looked like that I would plan on replacing it and the sprockets. I might change the lube you have been using if you feel you've kept on top of it. It shouldn't be that rusted if it's lubed fairy regularly. |
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June 30th, 2018, 01:20 PM | #36 |
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Yeah and shiny! Rollers that are shiny are worn rollers!
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June 30th, 2018, 01:34 PM | #37 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bill
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Quote:
Bill
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June 30th, 2018, 02:44 PM | #38 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
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Yeah, new chain on worn-sprocket wears out very quickly.
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June 30th, 2018, 02:56 PM | #39 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bill
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I did something one year ago that I always said I would never do. I installed new sprockets on a chain with about 9,700 miles on it. Why, because I hated the 14/45 sprocket ratio. The sprockets appeared to have no wear on them. I said "What the hell". No ill effects as of 2,500 miles. And man, this little Ninja has come alive. The engine runs through the power range like an Alfa Romeo Spyder or an XKE Jaguar. If you like a 1967 Dogde R/T with a 440 and 4:56 rear axle ratio - it ain't for you.
Bill
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June 30th, 2018, 07:31 PM | #40 |
Ninja 250r Noob
Name: Mako
Location: Hartland, Michigan
Join Date: Jul 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250r Posts: 77
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Ordered a RK 520SO 106 chain and some JT Sprockets. Went with the 15/45 as I feel it will be the best fit for me and my riding habits. They will arrive Monday and will be getting to work then! Thank you all! I'll keep it updated and will probably have many questions. Especially trying to get the OEM chain off...
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