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Old April 9th, 2018, 03:53 AM   #1
Hesh
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Loose chain?

Hi guys, recently I noticed some knocking sound on the back while moving, so I went to one empty area, took off my helmet and turned around while moving (real slow) to hear it and it seemed like it was coming from the chain.

So I thought it could be a loose chain. I checked it and it seemed loose and got convinced it was that, but then I remembered that I should find the tightest part of it and when I did it, it seemed like it wasn't a loose chain. Just incase, I created 2 short video examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcpwF_SC6Gk - This is what made me think my chain was loose. It isn't hitting the swingarm btw.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RjY2QPmayE - And this is (I think) the tight spot.

So my questions are, do you guys think it's loose and needs adjustment? I measured it and it seemed around 2cm slack, but for all I know I could've totally f'd it up even tho I was looking at the manual. And wtf could be causing that sound? I will edit the thread later, with more details about the sound.
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Old April 9th, 2018, 04:36 AM   #2
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yes its quite loose
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Old April 9th, 2018, 04:40 AM   #3
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Old April 9th, 2018, 04:43 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maverick9611 View Post
Yeah and when I measured it, the slack was 2cm on the tight part of the chain, which should be okay, but I just wanted to make the vids to get some more opinions just in case, so you saying it's loose got me doubting my measurements and whatnot lol.
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Old April 9th, 2018, 05:32 AM   #5
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Wtf

Guys, I don't get it. I went pushing the bike around to find all spots of the chain. Found a tight one, which is pretty damn tight. I will upload the video later. I'm hella confused right now. I have no idea now if my chain is loose or tight loool.
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Old April 9th, 2018, 06:19 AM   #6
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If the chain is acting like that, a lot tighter in places than others, it's probably worn unevenly, or the pins and bushings are jamming, both signs it needs replacement, probably from lack of care during its shortened life.
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Old April 9th, 2018, 06:31 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Triple Jim View Post
If the chain is acting like that, a lot tighter in places than others, it's probably worn unevenly, or the pins and bushings are jamming, both signs it needs replacement, probably from lack of care during its shortened life.
I will take the bike to a service tomorrow to see what will they say, but I'm guessing I'll have to get a new one, sprockets too probably. I've been taking care of it ever since I bought it but I guess the damage has been done before that.. I took it to have one guy take a look at it, he said it was loose and adjusted it a little but now when moving it makes even a louder sound than before, so that's annoying.
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Old April 9th, 2018, 06:59 AM   #8
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Get the wheel up in the air on a stand so you can look at it closely and spin it to see what's going on.

As TJ noted, chances are if there's a large difference between tight and loose spots there is a problems - either a link is seized or there is uneven wear.

Too tight causes plenty of problems, so find the tight spot and set adequate slack there. They tend to make more noise when they are tight.
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Old April 9th, 2018, 09:40 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hesh View Post
I've been taking care of it ever since I bought it but I guess the damage has been done before that.
When I got my 250, the guy selling it mentioned the rusty chain, and said he didn't understand how it got rusty. I explained it was because no one had ever put any lube on it. The look on his face said that he didn't completely buy that explanation. I guess he thought that O-ring chains are maintenance-free.

Interestingly, he gave me a new chain and sprocket set with it, so I immediately fixed the problem when I got home.
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Old April 10th, 2018, 03:14 AM   #10
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Okay so, since the chain is really tight in 1 place and kinda loose in another. (the guy yday said it was loose so he adjusted it), but now that tight spot almost has no slack which is no bueno. When I take it to the service what should I tell them? Should they make it a bit loose again or? I will order a new one.

Also do you guys think the sprockets need to be changed? I don't want the guys from the service to f me over and I could be very wrong, but I think the sprockets are in a good shape.

Yes, I know it's dirty there, I'll wash it lol.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_20180410_130845.jpg (90.6 KB, 4 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_20180410_130828.jpg (72.8 KB, 4 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_20180410_133137.jpg (88.0 KB, 3 views)
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File Type: jpg IMG_20180410_132934.jpg (91.9 KB, 2 views)
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Old April 10th, 2018, 04:11 AM   #11
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change out the chain and sprockets yourself. all the info you need to do the job is on ningette. i have spare set of chain/sprox I'll give ya. you pay shipping. of course your somewhere location will have to be changed
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Old April 10th, 2018, 06:38 AM   #12
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Just as a quick check, spin the wheel while watching each sprocket and make sure nothing is bent that could cause the loose-tight thing. Just a precaution, since it's almost certainly a bad chain.
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Old April 10th, 2018, 06:39 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maverick9611 View Post
change out the chain and sprockets yourself. all the info you need to do the job is on ningette. i have spare set of chain/sprox I'll give ya. you pay shipping. of course your somewhere location will have to be changed
That’s awesome offer! Take it!

Yeah, it takes all of 5-minutes to swap chain & sprockets. Do it yourself.
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Old April 10th, 2018, 07:46 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maverick9611 View Post
change out the chain and sprockets yourself. all the info you need to do the job is on ningette. i have spare set of chain/sprox I'll give ya. you pay shipping. of course your somewhere location will have to be changed
It is an awesome offer indeed and I appreciate it, but the thing is I am currently on a different continent, all the way in Eastern Europe and will stay for a while. So I imagine that would make things harder and delivery would take a while.
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Old April 10th, 2018, 08:22 AM   #15
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Changing chain and sprockets is quick once you get the front sprocket loosened, but that step can suck. Getting mine off required far more than five minutes, and culminated with a hulk smash on a 5 foot breaker bar. Not saying you shouldn't do it yourself, but don't think you'll be done in 5 minutes.
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Old April 10th, 2018, 08:36 AM   #16
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Changing chain and sprockets is quick once you get the front sprocket loosened, but that step can suck. Getting mine off required far more than five minutes, and culminated with a hulk smash on a 5 foot breaker bar. Not saying you shouldn't do it yourself, but don't think you'll be done in 5 minutes.
Oh, no chance I would be done in 5, I am still a very new rider and I wouldn't wanna mess something up, not until someone shows me in person how to do it, I am a better learner that way lol.
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Old April 10th, 2018, 08:47 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ralgha View Post
Changing chain and sprockets is quick once you get the front sprocket loosened, but that step can suck. Getting mine off required far more than five minutes, and culminated with a hulk smash on a 5 foot breaker bar. Not saying you shouldn't do it yourself, but don't think you'll be done in 5 minutes.
It may be a case where heating the nut would loosen some serious thread-locker and make removal reasonable.
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Old April 10th, 2018, 09:41 AM   #18
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No one can reasonably be expected to be able to change a chain and sprocket set in five minutes from start to finish, so don't feel bad if it's a lot longer than that. It's not complicated, and it's good experience, so well worth the time it takes.
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Old April 10th, 2018, 11:32 AM   #19
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It may be a case where heating the nut would loosen some serious thread-locker and make removal reasonable.
I didn't see any evidence of thread locker on it, I think they just had a gorilla assemble my bike. I felt like a lot of the bolts all over the bike were tighter than the torque specs called for.
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Old April 10th, 2018, 11:36 AM   #20
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I didn't see any evidence of thread locker on it, I think they just had a gorilla assemble my bike. I felt like a lot of the bolts all over the bike were tighter than the torque specs called for.
I have had that as well.

I had one bolt that would not budge, even with a long breaker bar, but after heating a bit you could just about spin it off with your fingers (if it wasn't hot...).

Didn't see much in the way of thread-locker on it when it came out. Careful isolated heating can do wonders.
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Old April 11th, 2018, 02:19 PM   #21
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I ordered a set already, will get them changed tomorrow.

Thanks for the help and thanks to maverick9611 for the dope offer, which I would've taken if I could!
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Old April 11th, 2018, 02:34 PM   #22
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I ordered a set already, will get them changed tomorrow.

Thanks for the help and thanks to maverick9611 for the dope offer, which I would've taken if I could!
no prob, good luck
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Old April 12th, 2018, 06:48 AM   #23
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While you have things apart, shim the cushdrive. There's usually a ton of slop, and removing it smooths the on/off/on throttle transition.

https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_to...the_cush_drive

This section may help also - https://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Final_Drive

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Old April 12th, 2018, 07:44 AM   #24
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Wish I knew about that when I changed my tires. Next tire change, I'm doing it!
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Old April 18th, 2018, 07:12 AM   #25
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Damn I didn't check the thread lol,I already got them changed. Next time.

I do have a new question though. Got new sprockets and chain. But when I ride I still can hear a ticking sound from the chain. The old, ruined one, would make it evem when I have the clutch pulled in an it will act as if there's some sort of bump on a specific spot and I could feel that. Now the new one doesn't have these issues, but it still makes a sound that I can hear while riding in 2nd or 3rd. It ain't too tight or loose. So is it normal?
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Old April 18th, 2018, 11:15 AM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hesh View Post
Damn I didn't check the thread lol,I already got them changed. Next time.

I do have a new question though. Got new sprockets and chain. But when I ride I still can hear a ticking sound from the chain. The old, ruined one, would make it evem when I have the clutch pulled in an it will act as if there's some sort of bump on a specific spot and I could feel that. Now the new one doesn't have these issues, but it still makes a sound that I can hear while riding in 2nd or 3rd. It ain't too tight or loose. So is it normal?
Get the wheel up in the air and spin it and listen for the sound.

Bearings are another possible cause.
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Old April 18th, 2018, 09:30 PM   #27
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cush drive?
brake rotor?
chain guide on swingarm damaged/worn out?
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Old April 19th, 2018, 05:26 AM   #28
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I will check all these and report back what I find. Thanks guys
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