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Chain Tension

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Peter
Derestricted Danger



Joined: 09 May 2011
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PostPosted: 09:14 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Chain Tension Reply with quote
Hi to all,

Last night i put my gsxr750 k4 up on the rear paddock stand to lube the chain. I started the bike and put it into 1st and let the back wheel spin on the tick over.

As the bike was ticking over in gear and i was applying the chain lube i noticed the chain was slapping against the bike. The bike Hunts on tick over which causes a slight pulsing which probably didnt help.

Can anyone tell me if this is normal or is my chain to slack.
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DrDonnyBrago
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Joined: 03 Jan 2010
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PostPosted: 09:47 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Re: Chain Tension Reply with quote
Peter wrote:
Hi to all,

Last night i put my gsxr750 k4 up on the rear paddock stand to lube the chain. I started the bike and put it into 1st and let the back wheel spin on the tick over.

As the bike was ticking over in gear and i was applying the chain lube i noticed the chain was slapping against the bike. The bike Hunts on tick over which causes a slight pulsing which probably didnt help.

Can anyone tell me if this is normal or is my chain to slack.



Might also have tight spots in the chain if it is doing that, it probably doesnt do it when the chain is under load though.

The way to check your chain slack is to find the point halfway between the front and rear sprockets and measure using a ruler the distance between a point of the chain and the swingarm when you are pushing down on the chain and when you are pushing up on the chain. You want the difference between the two measurements to be 25-35mm (depends on the bike, check your manual) - see the image to see what I mean. You don't need to push hard, just enough to take out the slack.

https://www.sportbikes.net/forums/attachments/fz6/44885d1116828926-measuring-chain-slack-chainadjust.jpg
https://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab9/zx6rrnewbie/Motorcycle/Chain-slack.jpg

Measure it at a few points and use the smallest amount of slack as your measurement to adjust the chain by. Older chains get tight spots so the slack will vary across the chain.
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P.addy
Formerly known as
P.



Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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PostPosted: 10:17 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
My 750 chain was a bit slack. doesnt move too much now.

All you need is a 36mm socket (I believe, might be
different for K4) and a 10mm and 12mm spanner to adjust the tensioners.

Do 1/2 turn at a time, so left 1 half turn, right 1 half turn etc.

Check alignment after, tighten up and see how it is then.

Also, really wouldnt tempt fate with putting it in 1st and cleaning/lubing.. check here... https://www.gixxer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242261
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neil.
World Chat Champion



Joined: 24 Feb 2008
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PostPosted: 10:42 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
If you value your fingers and their safety, DON'T BE LAZY AND DON'T LUBE THE CHAIN WITH THE BIKE IN GEAR! Shocked
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Acemastr
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Joined: 01 Oct 2008
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PostPosted: 10:52 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
please PLEASE do not do it this way.... the pictures speak for themselves, if your fingers go through the rear sprocket the engine will NOT stop
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Paxovasa
World Chat Champion



Joined: 25 Apr 2010
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PostPosted: 10:56 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
The chain will be slacker if you use paddock stands. Best to check the chain tension while both wheels are on the ground.
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DrDonnyBrago
World Chat Champion



Joined: 03 Jan 2010
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PostPosted: 11:03 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
People always moan about lubing chains in gear. The guy in the thread that lost his fingers was cleaning his with a rag not spraying his chain with a can of spray lube from a distance.

I don't do it because I use oil and a brush and it isn't any effort to turn the wheel by hand but if someone wants to run the bike and spray the chain from a distance it would take a monumental amount of stupidity for it to go wrong.

Last edited by DrDonnyBrago on 11:09 - 24 Jun 2011; edited 2 times in total
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P.addy
Formerly known as
P.



Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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PostPosted: 11:05 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
DonnyBrago wrote:
People always moan about lubing chains in gear. The guy in the thread that lost his fingers was cleaning his with a rag not spraying his chain with a can of spray lube from a distance.

I don't do it because I use oil and a brush and it isn't any effort to turn the wheel by hand but if someone wants to run the bike and spray the chain from a distance it would take a monumental amount of stupidity for it to go wrong.


May I remind you there are some form of single celled beans on this forum... or have you never seen Warped post? Laughing

I wont lube my chain in gear anyway, like you say, no effort, and i use a toothbrush and get well in there Laughing
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Peter
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Joined: 09 May 2011
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PostPosted: 11:09 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Thanks for the advise on the chain and applying the lube.

I was doing mine with a spray from a distance and to tell the truth i didnt give my fingers a second thought. My only real worry was the bike some how leaping of the stand and making its way through the garage door into the back of my car.

Ill check the chain tonight and fingers crossed ( no pun and all that ) it'll ok.
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DrDonnyBrago
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Joined: 03 Jan 2010
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PostPosted: 11:10 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Good point Paddy, monumental stupidity isn't as rare as it should be Very Happy .


Paxovasa wrote:
The chain will be slacker if you use paddock stands. Best to check the chain tension while both wheels are on the ground.


How's that? With paddock stands the weight of the bike is still acting on the suspension so the bike will squat the same amount and the chain would be just as tight as it would be if held upright by hand - also better than a sidestand as all of the weight is acting through the wheels rather than the sidestand which is attached to the frame.

Centre stands are different because they are usually attached to frame or engine and take weight off the wheels/suspension.
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DrDonnyBrago
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Joined: 03 Jan 2010
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PostPosted: 11:12 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Peter wrote:
Thanks for the advise on the chain and applying the lube.

I was doing mine with a spray from a distance and to tell the truth i didnt give my fingers a second thought. My only real worry was the bike some how leaping of the stand and making its way through the garage door into the back of my car.

Ill check the chain tonight and fingers crossed ( no pun and all that ) it'll ok.


You'd just need to adjust it mate, takes about 10 minutes and that includes making a cup of tea, finding the tools and tidying the garage.
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Paxovasa
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Joined: 25 Apr 2010
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PostPosted: 11:19 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
DonnyBrago wrote:

Paxovasa wrote:
The chain will be slacker if you use paddock stands. Best to check the chain tension while both wheels are on the ground.


How's that? With paddock stands the weight of the bike is still acting on the suspension so the bike will squat the same amount and the chain would be just as tight as it would be if held upright by hand - also better than a sidestand as all of the weight is acting through the wheels rather than the sidestand which is attached to the frame.

Centre stands are different because they are usually attached to frame or engine and take weight off the wheels/suspension.


You're correct.

Sorry Peter, for the duff advice, I had a blonde moment... Embarassed
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Last edited by Paxovasa on 11:21 - 24 Jun 2011; edited 3 times in total
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Peter
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PostPosted: 11:20 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Nice one DonnyBrago, its all a learning curve but one that i enjoy.
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adamck
Crazy Courier



Joined: 15 Feb 2005
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PostPosted: 11:36 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
I find that my lots of people moan at me for having a slack chain, but when i sit on the bike (im only 9stone) the chain tightens quite abit and takes up all the excess slack, i guess its the soft suspension and maybe the angle of the swingarm or something.
I usually get someone to sit on the bike while i adjust the chain Smile
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P.addy
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P.



Joined: 14 Feb 2008
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PostPosted: 11:53 - 24 Jun 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
adamck wrote:
I find that my lots of people moan at me for having a slack chain, but when i sit on the bike (im only 9stone) the chain tightens quite abit and takes up all the excess slack, i guess its the soft suspension and maybe the angle of the swingarm or something.
I usually get someone to sit on the bike while i adjust the chain Smile


I used to, Now I just adjust, sit and feel the chain with my foot.

Adjust as needed.
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