Well it finally happened.

[Acemastr]

My chain came off, riding along... big bang and free revving, knew immediately either snapped chain or it's come off, pulled over asap and inspected. Wheeled it all the way round to bike shop(that didn't open till 9 and it was 8:15) got bored, managed to get the chain on myself and stumble home.

Tightened the chain up, to what i felt was right and got to work. now... can anyone give me a guide to tightening up a chain? how tight should it be? it's got roughly an inch of play at the tightest point. but about 2" on the slackest part, there is no happy medium.

If i have it on the centre stand and put it into first the back wheel will spin with clutch in, not quick but it'll spin. if i let the clutch out it'll spin but is jerky and snatchy.

Obviously i'm slightly worried as i've heard the stories of snapping chains.

All help greatly appreciated.
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[early_911]

Sounds like you need new chain and sprocket. Chains can stretch (particularly if not lubed regulary), so perhaps yours has given up.

2'' slack sounds too much . . . more like an 1'' . . . but I suppose it could depend on the bike.

Personally I wouldn't be riding it.

Phil

[carlperkins00...]

3-4cm of slack, which i think is about 1 inch- 1&1/2 inch.

[Acemastr]

It was brand new in Oct 08, only done 6000 miles. It's getting new tyres on sat so i'll have to get them to check it over, but i don't expect a chain to go in 6000 miles that's lubed up weekly.
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[carlperkins00...]

youll be suprised.. depends on the chain, and how you ride it.
i had a chain on my cbr125 that only lasted about 1000miles! had to tighten it every week.
then i got a better one and it lasted 8000 miles more..
presuming you ride normally then i'd say you have a cheap chain and sprocket set on there. best get it changed to be safe.

hope this helps.

[Damon]

defo change it. it shouldnt have any tight spots at all. They arent expensive for your 125 anyway

[Finglonga]

[Acemastr]

Do you need a specific tool to fit a new chain?
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2017 KTM 350 XC-F - 2014 Yamaha R6 - 2005 Yamaha YZ125
2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited

[Robby]

Your initial post sounds like you don't know how to tension a chain. If you ride for thousands of miles with a loose chain, you'll kill it fairly quickly.

Simplest thing to do is fit a new C&S, which is cheap for your bike. You can use a clip link on that bike, which means you don't need an expensive chain tool or a lot of fucking around with hammers to fit it.

Then fit a scottoiler or a loobman. Loobman is easier and cheaper.

A chain oiled like this will generally last longer and need far less maintenance than one oiled once a week with a spray can or by brushing on oil.