Chain loose question

frogandalien · June 23rd, 2009, 02:42 AM

Hi,

So, I just bought an almost brand new 2008 ninja 250R. It had 200 miles on it when I got it, in perfect condition, so I consider it new.

I don't know much about motorcycles, technical side, just learning it all these days. And was hoping you might help me.
So, I think that my chain is loose a bit too much. In the manual, it says it needs to be 20-30 mm. But from what I can tell, it's more, I would say about 40 mm (haven't measured it though).
So, do you suggest that I go to and tighten the chain asap, or am I ok to wait until my first maintenance (at 600 miles) and do it then ? I am currently at a 300 miles mark.

Thanks for any help!

kkim · June 23rd, 2009, 03:37 AM

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21425

g21-30 · June 23rd, 2009, 03:40 AM

Check these out:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13833

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-5_JbLx2Bw

Probably should be adjusted.

frogandalien · June 23rd, 2009, 04:07 AM

O wow, thanks both of you for a quick reply. Those videos helped so much!
It is exactly what new people (like me), need to learn these things.

I think I know now what needs to be done, and exactly how. I have all the tools needed, apart from that stand.

In this video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRBkRKDlMtA
there is this neat "stand device", do you know what that is called, or where I could buy that ?

Thanks a lot again, those helped so much!

g21-30 · June 23rd, 2009, 04:15 AM

I didn't watch the entire video, but I suspect that the "stand device" you're talking about is a hydraulic jack, also called a bottle jack. You can get one at Sears or automotive stores. I would make sure it is short enough to fit under the swing arm pivot or shock mount.

frogandalien · June 23rd, 2009, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g21-30

I didn't watch the entire video, but I suspect that the "stand device" you're talking about is a hydraulic jack, also called a bottle jack. You can get one at Sears or automotive stores. I would make sure it is short enough to fit under the swing arm pivot or shock mount.

Yep, that's the one. It is a hydraulic, and it looks like a little bottle. Just didn't know what to call that.

Thanks a lot again!

SteveL · June 23rd, 2009, 04:21 AM

I doubt very much that the chain needs touching with only 300 miles on the clock, unless someone has had a play with it. If you are so concerned carefully measure it and even if it is a little louse at the point where there is most slack I think I would leave it until the 600 mile service. I cleaned, lubed and measured my chain last weekend at 3300Km and there is no appreciable stretch from new.

Steve

Banzai · June 23rd, 2009, 04:25 AM

Did you get a copy of the owner's manual with your bike?

frogandalien · June 23rd, 2009, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveL

I doubt very much that the chain needs touching with only 300 miles on the clock, unless someone has had a play with it. If you are so concerned carefully measure it and even if it is a little louse at the point where there is most slack I think I would leave it until the 600 mile service. I cleaned, lubed and measured my chain last weekend at 3300Km and there is no appreciable stretch from new.

Steve

Ok, I just printed out 2 lines on a blank paper, 1.2 inches apart. Went out and measured it. I don't have that stand, so I just pushed the bike a little, until I found what I thought was the tightest point. It seemed to be just about at that 1.2 inch mark, maybe 0.1 more. I guess I misjudged it before, by just looking at it. For some reason, the slack looked much bigger to me, than 20-30 mm (0.8 - 1.2 inches).
I will then leave it until I hit 600 miles mark, and do that first maintenance, and have the chain check as well as all the other things that need to be done at that point (oil change, etc).

Thanks so much for your and everyone else's input!

frogandalien · June 23rd, 2009, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Banzai

Did you get a copy of the owner's manual with your bike?

Yep, I got a manual with it.

Banzai · June 23rd, 2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogandalien

Yep, I got a manual with it.

Good deal

Lots of good DIY and maintenance threads here! Just ask and someone will point you in the right direction.

Click here for a post showing a chain tension gauge

almost40 · June 23rd, 2009, 02:00 PM

Change the oil. Theres plenty of opinions on this but better safe than sorry. Look for the DYI thread on it. As far as break-in is concerned, look for those threads also plenty of opinions on that too.

June 23rd, 2009, 02:42 AM	#1
frogandalien ninjette.org newbie Name: Zlatko Location: Athens, OH Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 7	Chain loose question Hi, So, I just bought an almost brand new 2008 ninja 250R. It had 200 miles on it when I got it, in perfect condition, so I consider it new. I don't know much about motorcycles, technical side, just learning it all these days. And was hoping you might help me. So, I think that my chain is loose a bit too much. In the manual, it says it needs to be 20-30 mm. But from what I can tell, it's more, I would say about 40 mm (haven't measured it though). So, do you suggest that I go to and tighten the chain asap, or am I ok to wait until my first maintenance (at 600 miles) and do it then ? I am currently at a 300 miles mark. Thanks for any help!

June 23rd, 2009, 04:21 AM	#7
SteveL old git Name: Steve Location: Geneve Switzerland Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): BMW K1300S Posts: 479	I doubt very much that the chain needs touching with only 300 miles on the clock, unless someone has had a play with it. If you are so concerned carefully measure it and even if it is a little louse at the point where there is most slack I think I would leave it until the 600 mile service. I cleaned, lubed and measured my chain last weekend at 3300Km and there is no appreciable stretch from new. Steve __________________________________________________ Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

June 23rd, 2009, 04:25 AM	#8
Banzai Psychic war veteran Name: Thomas Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Kawi Green '09 Ninja ZX6R Posts: 663	Did you get a copy of the owner's manual with your bike? __________________________________________________ * If you're arguing with some idiot over the internet, chances are pretty good he's doing the same thing! Zodiac Mindwarp and the Love Reaction

June 23rd, 2009, 02:00 PM	#12
almost40 ninjette.org Monkey Spank Name: Kevin Location: Illinois Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 250R Track-Bike Woodcraft clip-ons and rearsets FZ-6 track bike Posts: A lot.	Change the oil. Theres plenty of opinions on this but better safe than sorry. Look for the DYI thread on it. As far as break-in is concerned, look for those threads also plenty of opinions on that too. __________________________________________________ Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket

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June 23rd, 2009, 03:37 AM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21425

June 23rd, 2009, 03:40 AM	#3
g21-30 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sam Location: Northern Virginia Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 Posts: A lot.	Check these out: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=13833 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-5_JbLx2Bw Probably should be adjusted.

June 23rd, 2009, 04:07 AM	#4
frogandalien ninjette.org newbie Name: Zlatko Location: Athens, OH Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 7	O wow, thanks both of you for a quick reply. Those videos helped so much! It is exactly what new people (like me), need to learn these things. I think I know now what needs to be done, and exactly how. I have all the tools needed, apart from that stand. In this video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRBkRKDlMtA there is this neat "stand device", do you know what that is called, or where I could buy that ? Thanks a lot again, those helped so much!

June 23rd, 2009, 04:15 AM	#5
g21-30 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sam Location: Northern Virginia Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 Posts: A lot.	I didn't watch the entire video, but I suspect that the "stand device" you're talking about is a hydraulic jack, also called a bottle jack. You can get one at Sears or automotive stores. I would make sure it is short enough to fit under the swing arm pivot or shock mount.