October 24th, 2009, 11:12 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bob
Location: CA
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.
|
Loose chain - really that bad?
My chain is pretty loose and I'm going to adjust it this afternoon. But I was just wondering.... generally speaking, if a chain is left too loose, is that really such a bad thing (wear chain/sprockets, etc.)?
|
|
October 24th, 2009, 11:59 AM | #2 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sean
Location: Mary Esther, FL
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 1998 HD Road King Posts: A lot.
|
How far out of spec is it? Too loose is better than too tight but running it too loose for a while shouldn't hurt anything.
|
|
October 24th, 2009, 12:17 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bob
Location: CA
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.
|
I honestly haven't meassured..... it is pretty floppy though. If it won't hurt anything, I won't worry about it.
|
|
October 24th, 2009, 12:20 PM | #4 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
|
measure the slop and we can tell if if it's too much or to little. without numbers, you're guessing.
|
|
October 24th, 2009, 12:27 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bob
Location: CA
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.
|
oops, wrong thread, I'll reply here in a sec
|
|
October 24th, 2009, 12:40 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bob
Location: CA
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.
|
Sorry, about that last post, I typed in the wrong tab.
I tightend the chain a LITTLE last weekend, but knowingly not as much as I "should" because I find the suggested slack in the manual too tight (makes whiring noise). I started erring on the loose side after I noticed it always came back from the dealer a lot looser.... but it is still pretty loose. To answer your question Kelly, I just measured it at 2". |
|
October 24th, 2009, 01:01 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
|
I'm another believer that loose is better than tight, too. I usually aim for the outside limit of the spec window (.8-1.2"), but often times end up too tight after everything is buttoned back up (I'm way too familiar with that "WTF whirring" noise you talk about ). I now aim for about 1.5 before things are tightened back up which usually puts me at about 1"-1.5" when I'm done.
Personally, I think 2" is a bit much, but if you keep a close eye on it (check it often), I'm sure you'll be fine. I really like it that these chains seem to stay pretty consistent after the initial "new chain" stretch and don't require much adjustment compared to the chains of years ago. The main reason for being cautious of a too loose chain is the possibility of the chain coming off the sprockets. If you think you're okay, leave it where it is. Another reason is it can move around enough to touch other things which will wear grooves in things you don't want it to... sprocket covers, swingarm, chain guides, etc. |
|
October 24th, 2009, 01:06 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bob
Location: CA
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.
|
Sounds good. Thanks for confirming what my gut was telling me, or leaning toward at least...
You notice I am becoming a little less OCD in my posts over time? It is funny when I see this in a lot of newbies, reminds me of me. |
|
October 24th, 2009, 03:01 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.
|
Remember too Bob to rotate the tire and measure in a couple spots, it might be 2 at one point and 1 3/4 at another. I just adjusted mine the other day and as Kelly says once buttoned up it is tighter. I am closer to .8 - 1.0 a little more snug than I'd like but since its within tolerance I will leave it.
|
|
October 24th, 2009, 03:29 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sam
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 Posts: A lot.
|
A loose chain is really bad, if it comes off a sprocket and you're doing 20-100 MPH! The faster you're traveling, the worse it could be.
|
|
October 24th, 2009, 04:36 PM | #11 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bob
Location: CA
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
|
|
|
October 24th, 2009, 04:44 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Steve
Location: Kekaha, Kauai HI
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 GSX-R 600 2003 EX250: Woodcraft Bars, Levers, Mirrors, Shim'd Mixture, Synthetic, '08 Rear Shock Posts: A lot.
|
so with the tire on the ground how much measured play do you allow?
__________________________________________________
Remember when sex was safe and motorcycles were dangerous? |
|
October 25th, 2009, 06:04 PM | #13 |
North Alabama Mtn. ryder
Name: Nate
Location: Alabama
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Posts: 537
|
yo pull down on your chain half way between your sprockets..don't pull hard just put pressure on it...look at your back sprocket's bottom..like 6'o clock if you can't see more than half a tooth your fine,,if you can see the sprocket tooth tighten your chain a bit
__________________________________________________
QTRltrPWR |
|
October 25th, 2009, 06:55 PM | #14 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Chris
Location: Huntsville, AL
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: 755
|
^ I will look at that before next ride. I have 6k miles on my bike and I have not adjusted my chain, I check the chain slack every time I lube it, which is every 500-1k miles, or every time I wash it. It still has not got any tight spots in it, but the chain feels a little loose, have not measured it, but I estimate around, 1.5 inch of play. I figured, its better a little loose than a little tight so ive left it alone.
__________________________________________________
The Ninjette is not a disposable bike. You are not ever supposed to get rid of it. It is like a [friendly] herpes virus.... once you got it, you get keep it forever. Originally posted by-Headshrink |
|
October 26th, 2009, 09:48 AM | #15 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sam
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 Posts: A lot.
|
For the chain slack, just use an index card with a baseline and the two measurements .8" and 1.2". Hold the card lined up with the baseline behind the chain and flex the chain toward the other two marks. If the chain is between them, you're done.
------------- 1.2" ------------- .8" ------------- Baseline Of course, the illustration above is not to scale, much less accurate!! |
|
October 26th, 2009, 08:02 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.
|
I push it around the garage myself. Too cheap for a rear stand at the moment. The reason to check a couple spots is that the chain might have tight sections. One spot might give you 1" slack, but anther spot might give you 3/4" slack. Just worth checking 2 or 3 spots.
|
|
October 31st, 2009, 05:53 PM | #17 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Dave
Location: Michigan
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 650RTE & 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R (SOLD) Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
When my nate had low miles, the first several times id do this, it would take forever to find the 'tightest spot', driving me ****ing CRAZY So now i just line up and check the 3-4 12o'clock DOTs, using them at the starting point.. rather than spend 20mins rotating over n over finding that G-spot on the chain! |
|
|
November 2nd, 2009, 08:18 AM | #18 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
Oh man I didn't read the last sentence! I printed the page, cut out the chart, and set my tension. Just kidding - it does work good. |
|
|
November 2nd, 2009, 08:20 AM | #19 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
|
|
|
November 4th, 2009, 06:45 AM | #20 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Karl
Location: Ireland the Hawaii of Europe!
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R Fuel Injected Model 2009 Posts: 357
|
I read in one of the bike magazines (either bike or visordown) that a loose chain can cost you up to 3 HP, although they don't mention what bike, so I'll assume a middleweight with around 100 HP, so what 3% power loss?
What is 3% of nothing (33 bhp ), about 1 HP. Can you afford to ride around with only 32 bhp instead of 33 bhp!
__________________________________________________
My vlogs on Youtube are here |
|
November 4th, 2009, 07:04 AM | #21 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Greg
Location: Rhode Island
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.
|
I would think that a dirty chain can cost you more power loss as well as faster wear, than a clean and loose chain.
|
|
November 7th, 2009, 04:27 PM | #22 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bob
Location: CA
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.
|
I tightened my chain and learned that is just easier once you have the "feel" for the proper slack. Just going by measurements alone for this particular job tends to leave me frustrated and re-loosening the chain. I think I am getting a feel for it though, and it is better now, albeit a lot more slack than kawi calls for (me thinks they lie).
Anyways, while I was in the process I made this DIY gauge for measuring chain slack quickly, without marking paper every time. I'll use the gauge for reference, but not necessarily as the standard for the "proper" tension. |
|
November 7th, 2009, 06:01 PM | #23 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Sam
Location: Northern Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250R 2009 Posts: A lot.
|
You say millimeters. I say inches. Whatever floats your boat!
.8" = 20.32 mm 1.2" = 30.48 mm Baseline = 0 mm |
|
November 7th, 2009, 11:21 PM | #24 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Bob
Location: CA
Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.
|
|
|
February 8th, 2010, 06:23 PM | #25 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Paul
Location: Roanoke, VA
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue 250R Posts: A lot.
|
Hmmm, glad I checked here before buttoning back up. I've set the chain slack as 20-30mm total travel, pushed up to pushed down (measured at the bottom of the links) but haven't ridden since the last adjust. Instead it's 'neutral position' to max up OR max down, ya?
Edit: Nevermind, I seem to be doing it right, according to Banzai here: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...1&postcount=21
__________________________________________________
Proud member of the Blue Army Last futzed with by Momaru; February 8th, 2010 at 06:31 PM. Reason: Answer found with 'Search' |
|
February 8th, 2010, 06:45 PM | #26 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Alex
Location: Belfast, ME
Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
|
Quick Question: When you adjust the chain, do you adjust with the rear wheel up in a stand, or the wheel on the ground? When you sit on the bike allowing your weight to depress the rear suspension, the chain tightens considerably.
|
|
February 8th, 2010, 06:48 PM | #27 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Craig
Location: Silicon Valley, CA USA
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '98 EX250, '02 EX250, '08 250r, '03 SV650, '98 GSXR750 '03 Hayabusa, '87 YSR50, '84 ZX900, +MORE Posts: A lot.
|
That is why the chain should be a little loose when you adjust it..
__________________________________________________
CraigHarris.org Pacific Track Time CraigsWeb See you at 2014 MotoGP Laguna Seca! We'll be camping on Fox Hill. AFM #278 |
|
February 8th, 2010, 06:57 PM | #28 |
Pimpin
Name: Richard
Location: Ninja 250 Whorehouse
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Bunch of em Posts: 973
|
Here's a little trick:
As many have found, the chain will tighten when you tighten the axle nut. To keep this from happening, insert a shop rag (folded into 1/4 or 1/8) between the chain and the lower portion of the sprocket. Rotate the rear tire forward to pinch the rag between the chain and sprocket. While holding tension on the tire, tighten your axle nut. This will keep the chain from tightening. I use this trick every time I do a chain adjustment. |
|
February 8th, 2010, 07:30 PM | #29 | |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
|
Quote:
|
|
|
February 8th, 2010, 07:31 PM | #30 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Paul
Location: Roanoke, VA
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue 250R Posts: A lot.
|
I've been adjusting to FSM spec (20-30mm) from a rear spool stand. Any idea how much it tightens? I realize that'll likely depend somewhat on rider (I'm ~160lbs w/ gear) but seems a bit trickier to do with the tire on the ground.
__________________________________________________
Proud member of the Blue Army |
|
February 8th, 2010, 07:41 PM | #31 |
You are sleeping
Name: Casey
Location: LMFAO!!!
Join Date: Nov 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2 Posts: A lot.
|
I tighten it on the stand and then set it on the ground and check at the tightest spot.
I figure if I try and set it for 24mm's of slack each time I'll account for a couple mm's of offset on each side.
__________________________________________________
<Yeah, it's a 250. LMFAO! Weaksauce |
|
February 8th, 2010, 07:46 PM | #32 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Alex
Location: Belfast, ME
Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
|
Paul, I`m a pudgeball at 200 without gear. Will work on getting the chain right. Just replaced the front sprocket with a 15T. Will have to do some tweaking. We still have snow, so I can take my time and get it right. You know, if this forum gets any better, Kawa will have a lot of shop manuals they will not be able to sell. I really have it made. I have a heated garage with shop and a laptop--a very old one with a 400CPU sitting on the tool bench. I dail in the DIY for what I am doing and go to work--even a cave man can do it. These DIYs are superb.
|
|
February 8th, 2010, 07:46 PM | #33 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Jon
Location: Usa
Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): magHitVE Posts: 649
|
|
|
February 8th, 2010, 07:57 PM | #34 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Paul
Location: Roanoke, VA
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue 250R Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
KC, thanks for the clearance spec. I've got it set at ~25mm total travel slack (firm push down to firm push up) on the rear stand, so guess it's easy enough to drop down and see what it does. Rear tire's only doing about 1 full rotation on a push with my foot (after pulling rear tire, greasing all the bearings and cleaning the bejesus out of the chain with a kerosene soak and relube) which is why I started wondering if I have it too tight.
__________________________________________________
Proud member of the Blue Army |
|
|
February 8th, 2010, 09:05 PM | #35 |
Pimpin
Name: Richard
Location: Ninja 250 Whorehouse
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Bunch of em Posts: 973
|
|
|
February 8th, 2010, 09:08 PM | #36 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
|
|
|
February 8th, 2010, 09:10 PM | #37 |
Pimpin
Name: Richard
Location: Ninja 250 Whorehouse
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Bunch of em Posts: 973
|
Hehe.... haven't heard that one in like, 20 years, dude.
|
|
February 8th, 2010, 09:11 PM | #38 |
Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.
|
|
|
February 9th, 2010, 12:13 PM | #39 |
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.
|
I run a fuzz more than spec. When you compress the rear suspension it tightens up the chain a bit. A overly tight chain hinders the rear suspensions ability to work properly. Or so Ive read.
__________________________________________________
Black 250R Full Area P QC Dyno Jet Kit 100 main 41T Rear Sprocket |
|
February 9th, 2010, 12:37 PM | #40 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Craig
Location: Silicon Valley, CA USA
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): '98 EX250, '02 EX250, '08 250r, '03 SV650, '98 GSXR750 '03 Hayabusa, '87 YSR50, '84 ZX900, +MORE Posts: A lot.
|
Very true, I always err on the loose side when I adjust my chain. As the rear wheel moves up through its arc it moves away from the transmission and needs a little slack in the chain for that movement. I do tech at track days and I can't tell you how many bikes come through with chains as tight as piano wire. Very unsafe. I've also seen an output shaft bearing on a transmission let go from a tight chain.
__________________________________________________
CraigHarris.org Pacific Track Time CraigsWeb See you at 2014 MotoGP Laguna Seca! We'll be camping on Fox Hill. AFM #278 |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Chain adjuster came loose | backinthesaddleagain | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 13 | December 22nd, 2014 08:21 PM |
Loose chain remedy | The_big_dill | 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 11 | October 31st, 2013 07:18 PM |
Loose chain adjuster | Slick_Stevo | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 4 | July 8th, 2013 05:06 PM |
Loose cam chain wear? | cuong-nutz | General Motorcycling Discussion | 15 | May 6th, 2013 05:43 PM |
Chain loose question | frogandalien | 2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 11 | June 23rd, 2009 02:00 PM |
|
|