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Chain tight spots

T

Trancey

Joined Jul 2008
21 Posts | 0+
Just bought an 05 RSVR and I've been giving it a check over as it hadn't been used in over a year, although it was garage stored. When it is running and in gear I noticed that the chain seemed to be whipping and running unevenly. I turned the rear wheel by hand and the slack in the chain was varying, depending on the chain position. I've washed the chain with diesel and checked each link by hand, none are seized but some are looser than others. The chain has been lubed up and it still has varying tension, is there anything to cure this other than a new chain?
 
If you do it on a paddock stand then its normal to do this. The bike isn't very nice low down anyway thats why people change the teeth number 15:42 I think??? Chains have tight points anyway even from new. If it runs fine and doesn't sound bad I wouldn't bother IMO. I only change mine when I need to take out links- luck after it and never had a problem.
 
If the wear is so bad you need to take links out .......it was fukced thousands of miles before!

Some sprocket combinations are kinder to chains than others,and big twins eat chains anyway.If mine had several tight spots it would be thrown, along with the sprockets if they showed wear.

If I bought a chain that had tight spots the shop would be getting it back the next day!
 
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If the tension on your chain varys when you turn the wheel it could also mean your sprockets have worn a bit oval, do they look like they have much wear?

Might be best replacing both sprockets and chain.

Chains can make a right mess if they let go. I knew a guy whose chain let go and jammed in the front sprocket cover while he was hard on the gas causing the output shaft to lock up and thus blowing his gearbox up. Ouch!
 
The sprockets have been changed to 15:42 and they are like new, I suspect it's a worn chain.
 
IanG said:
If the wear is so bad you need to take links out .......it was fukced thousands of miles before!

Some sprocket combinations are kinder to chains than others,and big twins eat chains anyway.If mine had several tight spots it would be thrown, along with the sprockets if they showed wear.

If I bought a chain that had tight spots the shop would be getting it back the next day!
Click to expand...

Every time I have replaced a chain and sprockets I have always had tight bits from new. I have always gone through spockets before a chain. Whats the point changing a chain when its fine? It sounds like I don't look after my bikes but beleave i do. keep on top of a chain and they can last a lot longer that what people think.
 
Well if the sprockets are wearing they are wearing the chain as well,as the tooth form on the sprockets gets hooked it is in effect changing the pitch,therefore stressing the chain.

It's always good policy whenever changing the chain to replace the sprockets as well,then all the wear faces are the correct form and will mate together properly.

Same as not changing cams without followers,it's just good engineering practice.

I believe race teams when (if) they change gearing generally keep a chain & sprocket set together. I know it seems like unnecessary expense but if done and lubricated properly should give many thousands of miles service.My Sv 1000 went 6 years and 22,000+ miles on it's OEM chain before it started getting slight tight spots and was deemed due for replacement.
 
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