Chains...

[huskie69]

As some of you may have read, I'm the proud owner of a Skyjet SJ125. I could fill an entire book with the list of problems it has but I've managed to keep on top of them since I've had it and it's only let me down about 20 times at the most

During my weekend maintenance regime (I give it about 2-3 hours of TLC every weekend!) I noticed the chain was beginning to get slack again. I adjusted the tensioner nuts on the swingarm (it had already been done a few weeks ago) but one of the nuts just turns and doesn't seem to be doing anything - what is it actually doing? I could be completely wrong but I have an idea that the bolt is screwed into the rear axle, the position of the axle is then determined by tightening/untightening the nut on this bolt - am I close? What could cause it to fail?

Anyway, I went to my nearest bike mechanic this morning to see if he could remove a link for me. He said it was actually illegal and that I should really get a new chain (makes sense I suppose as the chain has expanded so much it's likely to jump teeth). He can get one and fit it for £35 - £20 chain and £15 labour. To me, that's not a bad price after reading other people quotes for labour on this site and it saves me the hassle. It's booked in for this afternoon, but is he likely to run into problems with the tension adjuster or is it just my lack of understanding on how the mechanism works?
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'10 Skyjet SJ125-23 - Crashed > '09 YBR 125 > '53 Suzuki SV650 - Died > 2010 Suzuki VanVan 125 > '87 Yamaha FZ750 Sold > VTR 1000 FireStorm - Sold > Honda CB1000R

[DrDonnyBrago]

[huskie69]

Thanks, I'll warn him before he starts working on it - don't want to piss him off as the other bike mechs around here are useless (they all seem more interested in trying to sell helmet polish and tube caps instead of proper stuff like actual tools!) and this guy seems like a decent bloke.
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'10 Skyjet SJ125-23 - Crashed > '09 YBR 125 > '53 Suzuki SV650 - Died > 2010 Suzuki VanVan 125 > '87 Yamaha FZ750 Sold > VTR 1000 FireStorm - Sold > Honda CB1000R

[huskie69]

Oh - and what should I be using for lube? I put it on the rear stand every night, turn the wheel and spray the whole chain in GT85 as I use it for my engineless bikes. Is there something better available?
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'10 Skyjet SJ125-23 - Crashed > '09 YBR 125 > '53 Suzuki SV650 - Died > 2010 Suzuki VanVan 125 > '87 Yamaha FZ750 Sold > VTR 1000 FireStorm - Sold > Honda CB1000R

[DrDonnyBrago]

[huskie69]

Nice one. I had actually wondered if GT85 was too thin as it doesn't really seem to be doing much - probably goes a way to explaining why I've had chain problems

I've got a kettenmax chain cleaner and use lamp oil to give it a clean every other week - works quite well and saves a bit of back ache!

I did consider using engine oil instead but as I'd never seen it sold in shops as chain oil (everything's in spray cans), I though there was a reason against it - if it's just due to it being a bit dirty, then bugger it - I'd rather have some dirt on my bike and save myself a bit of money in chain maintenance.

When I get my proper bike, a scottoiler will be top of the list of things to get.
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'10 Skyjet SJ125-23 - Crashed > '09 YBR 125 > '53 Suzuki SV650 - Died > 2010 Suzuki VanVan 125 > '87 Yamaha FZ750 Sold > VTR 1000 FireStorm - Sold > Honda CB1000R

[mysterious_rider]

illegal to remove links? BULLSHIT. how do you think you get the chains to fit in the first place? They always come to long so you have to remove a few links so you can actually fit it.

Your tensioner has rounded off. Im guessing its a bolt that pulls on the axle via a loop (imagine a washer around the axle. and the bolt is welded to it, so when you tighten it, it pulls on the swingarm forcing the axle to move back/forwards)

going to take a guess you adjusted it without slacking off the axle nut, causing too much strain on the adjuster...causing it to round off..

No big deal really, you can always buy a new one. Depending on the time you might get lucky and be able to fit one off another bike. should get a pic up?

[Mark65]

The chain tugs go over the rear axle or bolt, then the adjusters screw against the rear of the swingarm which in turn pulls the wheel backwards or when you slaken them it allows the wheel to go forward, when the tension and alignment is correct you lock them off woth the locking nut then tighten the rear bolt to secure everything. If your adjustment bolt is turning all the time its either at the end of adjustment, in which there will probably be no bolt sticking out or the threads could be stripped. the adjusters in the image are showing plenty of adjustment avaliable if they were on a wheel.

Mark
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07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650

[huskie69]

[huskie69]

Thanks for posting a pic Mark.

Someone should be writing a book for bike mechanic novices with pics like this so we can understand the concept of how it all works. I didn't know how an engine worked til I got my bike!

any takers?!!!
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'10 Skyjet SJ125-23 - Crashed > '09 YBR 125 > '53 Suzuki SV650 - Died > 2010 Suzuki VanVan 125 > '87 Yamaha FZ750 Sold > VTR 1000 FireStorm - Sold > Honda CB1000R

[Mark65]

Hi
We all have the learning curve to visit now and then , i myself have picked up a lot of knowledge on these forums and thats what people are here for to help each other and post porn , now do you really need the new chain or just adjusters?.

Mark
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07 Yamaha YBR125, 07 Honda CG125 , 15 CBR300R (Chocolate Crank, Deaded), 16 CB500FA, 19 Honda Forza 300, 70 Suzuki SV650

[huskie69]

These forums do provide about 90% of information I need, and I'm glad everyone's so helpful (and patient!)

Looks like both chain and tensioners need replacing - the tensioners have adjusted as far as they can.

If I get a new chain fitted - I'm pretty confident it won't be anywhere near as poor quality as the original plus the mechanic will do a better job than I could.
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'10 Skyjet SJ125-23 - Crashed > '09 YBR 125 > '53 Suzuki SV650 - Died > 2010 Suzuki VanVan 125 > '87 Yamaha FZ750 Sold > VTR 1000 FireStorm - Sold > Honda CB1000R

[DrDonnyBrago]

[DrDonnyBrago]

[mysterious_rider]

I'm shocked that the manual didn't say to slacken the axle nut off!?!?!!


Best thing you can do, go buy yourself a splitter
i have

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STANDARD-MOTORCYCLE-CHAIN-BREAKER-TOOL-MOST-CHAINS-/220597017187?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item335c9b5a63


and its served me so well in the past, absolutely worth its weight in gold.

Make sure itll fit your chain though (the chain pitch)

[Mark65]

[fiery tupp]

I thought that too - but I went to 3 other bike shops in the area, all with a similar response - and none of them sell chain/link removal tools as there's not enough demand for them :S!!!



We used to us , a hammer a masonry nail & a small socket to remove links on small bikes , filing the end of pins & knocking through one at a time . A little crude but it worked in emergencies
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If you can't fix it with a hammer , use your head .

[nightshaddow]

this is the complete rear axle and tensioner system off the bike

https://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2224/spindle1.jpg
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"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 100 MPH THATS IMPOSSIBLE Its chinese OFFICER."
Current rides CB 125 TDE(the next project) NS125RK ( now on the road ) CB125TDC (soon to be project 17) melody ( the nephews )

[mysterious_rider]

are the bolts replacable? Get them replaced if you can.


if not, what will work is, where the nut has threaded put a larger nut over it (to act as a washer) and so it tightens further up the bolt, rather than trying to tighten on the threaded part. Just obviously don't overtighten. And only adjust with the axle nut loose.

[nightshaddow]

with a bit of work yes they are welded in but if you need to replace it will be easy enough to replace them
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"WHAT DO YOU MEAN 100 MPH THATS IMPOSSIBLE Its chinese OFFICER."
Current rides CB 125 TDE(the next project) NS125RK ( now on the road ) CB125TDC (soon to be project 17) melody ( the nephews )

[Glenben92]

Am I the only person who thinks £20 will definitely be a non o-ring chain and will last about a minute?
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57 Huoniao HN125-8 - , 97 Kawasaki GPZ500S -
99 Yamaha FZS 600 -
Mod 2 Passed - 01/10/2010

[Mark65]

[Mark65]