October 24th, 2013, 09:49 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Jeff
Location: Santa Maria, CA
Join Date: Oct 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 White Ninja 300, 2010 Red Ninja 250r (Sold) Posts: 335
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Chain Slack
I read some of the threads on how to check the chain, then went out and tried it. When up on the rear stand the chain moves around so much it touches the swing arm before stopping. The instructions on the printed label on the motorcycle say to check it while on the side stand. I tried that and it still moves around a lot. The movement I'm seeing is much more than the specified 0.8-1.2 inches.
I've attached a video showing what I'm seeing. The video was taken with the bike on its side stand. Am I doing something wrong, or is my chain really that loose? I've put about 600 miles on the bike since I bought it, and the dealer said it had a brand new chain and sprockets when I bought it. The mileage on the bike was a little under 15,000 when I bought it, and a little over 15,000 now.
Link to original page on YouTube. |
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October 24th, 2013, 10:01 PM | #2 |
Gear crash test dummy
Name: Max
Location: South Bay (So. Cal)
Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250 race bike, 2014 ZX-636r Posts: A lot.
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October 24th, 2013, 10:03 PM | #3 |
So, where's the reverse?
Name: Anson
Location: Ontario, Canada
Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
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That looks way loose. It needs to be measure at manual spec with a firm push/pull on the chain. You are barely touching it in that video. Also, looks like it needs some lube.
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October 24th, 2013, 10:07 PM | #4 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
That thing on the left side doesn't seem to be the original part. Your chain is way too loose and that is very dangerous. Find and replace that part and adjust the slack this way: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13833 There is a minimum thickness for the brake discs. I wouldn't return to that dealer that installed the chain.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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October 24th, 2013, 10:29 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Jeff
Location: Santa Maria, CA
Join Date: Oct 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 White Ninja 300, 2010 Red Ninja 250r (Sold) Posts: 335
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Thanks for the unexpectedly quick and extremely helpful replies. I had a feeling something wasn't right...
The part is ordered and I won't be riding until I get this sorted out. Luckily I got the urge to do some maintenance instead of taking a ride with my little bit of free time today. |
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October 25th, 2013, 04:05 AM | #6 |
RIP Alex
Name: Cuong
Location: Houston, TX
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot.
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Your chain is loose probably because the left chain adjuster is just a flimsy piece of steel. Deemed a severe safety hazard!!! I wouldn't be surprised if your wheel alignment is off in the rear pointing to the right!!!
Stop riding it and a get it fixed!
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December 2nd, 2013, 09:11 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Brian
Location: Orange County, CA
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): '12 ninja 250r Posts: 762
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So I've been thinking about this a lot because I ran in to a related issue...
If the axle nut has been tightened/torqued, doesn't it compress the swingarm assembly at the rear axle thus fixing the position of the chain adjusters? So there won't be any forward/backward movement along the swingarm and the chain should be at the same slack when tightening the axle in place (sans stretching). Am I wrong in thinking this way? |
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December 3rd, 2013, 05:51 AM | #8 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
The chain adjusters are there to fix the ideal position of the axle, reason for which, we should put forward pressure on the rear wheel as we torque the axle's nut as specified. If the torque is insufficient, then there is not enough friction against the swingarm and the axle slides under the command of the pulling force of the chain: the right end of the axle tends to move aft, making the sprocket crooked respect to the chain and the tire to rub against parts on the right side.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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December 3rd, 2013, 07:33 AM | #9 |
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Name: Jay
Location: WI
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Here's a good video with instructions on chain adjustment - http://www.canyonchasers.com/video/chain.php
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December 3rd, 2013, 08:09 AM | #10 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: Kevin
Location: Raleigh, NC
Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, 2008 Suzuki GSX-R600, 2006 Suzuki GSX-R600 Posts: 31
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Quote:
When we adjust the chain slack, the rear axle is loose, allowing the swingarm to bow out to its natural position like a "Y" (this is an exaggeration). When we set the slack in this position, the rear axle and its slots are physically closer to the front sprocket by millimeters. Most people set the desired slack at this point, but when they go to torque the rear axle, it bends the prongs of the "Y" into the shape of a tuning fork, and now the rear axle is pushed away from the front sprocket by those few millimeters, thus giving them tighter slack than they just set. |
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December 3rd, 2013, 08:25 AM | #11 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Brian
Location: Orange County, CA
Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): '12 ninja 250r Posts: 762
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Quote:
In my problem, I've already set the slack and tightened the axle; however, I realized the other day my right cap is missing. Upon research I learned I've been missing a nut on both caps; they've only always had one. I ordered replacement parts but wanted to make sure it was safe to continue riding until they came in. |
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December 3rd, 2013, 10:02 AM | #12 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
Location: Florida
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
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Quote:
You could use some thick piece of steel in place of the missing part if that would give you some peace of mind.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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