Drive chain adjustment

[Derivative]

How often would you consider reasonable to be adjusting the drive chain on your bike?

Haynes states a check every 600 miles, but I've had to pretty much adjust it every time. I'm getting rather adept at it now, but it's rather annoying.

Does it vary depending on thickness/age of chain? Or is it pretty much a given that a chain driven bike requires this level of attention?

[Casper]

[Islander]

I check mine when I lube it. I rarely have to adjust it though.

[Derivative]

[Casper]

If you just do it light and combine with brakes you are fine. I am talking about going to fast into corners and using the box hard to bring the speed down if to fast for the brakes. Its the clunk when doing it you want to avoid. I should practice what i preach but i have been like this for to long to change now. I also use the box heavy in the car. Wife hates it.

[Derivative]

The CB5 gearbox is clunky anyway. I kind of like it that way.
Third gear is a bit 'soft' and it's often hard to figure out if it's actually gone in.

[YBR Ric]

Also it all depends on the power output of the bike, the conditions the chain is subjected to, how well it's lubed (what it's lubed with) and it being correctly adjusted and in alignment (one way to check this is by looking at your rollers) and how clean its kept.
https://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/portisheadric/bd625419.jpg

I last adjusted my YBR chain over 2,000 miles ago, but I lube it after every time I fill up with petrol (350-375 miles). This chain on this bike however, needs adjusting a lot more regularly.

[Noxious89123]

[Derivative]

[haroman666]

I adjust my chain when it's slack... Every now and then if i'm bored at traffic lights, i'll lean down and check or before i get on for a ride i'll give it a wiggle with my foot.

I never really clean my chain either... Just lube it when I think it looks a bit dry. I probably ought to clean it properly one day.
____________________
The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[neil.]

If you're having to adjust it that frequently, I'd wager that it's worn out. I clean and oil mine every week which equates to 300 miles. Got 18'000 miles on it now and it's only needed 3 adjustments during its life so far (skinny 428 chain). For me, the front sprocket is usually the first part of the drive-train to go, meaning the whole lot gets replaced even though the chain isn't quite past it. I usually get between 15k and 20k out of a set of chain and sprockets and that's with using paraffin to clean and engine oil to lube. None of that expensive fancy stuff in a can.

Edit: haroman666, you're probably making a nice grinding paste by adding more and more lube.
____________________
CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Casper]

[Kradmelder]

[Islander]

[Alpha-9]

[haroman666]

[Walloper]

A good sealed chain with proper chain maintenance will not need adjusting from one service to the next. (So long as you don't run about in 1st and 2nd @ 15000 rpm everywhere.)
Make sure it gets enough lube which is normally about every tankful of petrol or 250 miles.
Check and lube 'after' a ride when the chain is warm.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[YBR Ric]

[Noxious89123]

[Derivative]

Yeah, I was thinking that. Aerosol lube seems like a colossal waste.
On my road bicycle I used to use a kind of 'dropper' and put one drop on each link. Even that was probably too much.

Apparently Honda recommend using gear oil. Seems like a 1L bottle would last me until I needed lubing to get up the stairs.

[Kradmelder]

[_Iain_]

[YBR Ric]

One of the main things to help a final drive chain into an early grave is running it too tight. Doesn't do much for the longevity of your gearbox or sprocket carrier bearing either.

[Derivative]

Picked up 1L of 80W90 gear oil for £3.50 and a little oil dropper bottle for £1.50.

If this works out as planned I've probably got chain lube until the bloody oil emulsifies for £5.

[GREENI3]

I lube the chain around every 300 miles with gear oil.

Only cleaned the chain about 3 times so far. I use paraffin.

Haven't had to adjust the chain once in the 2500 miles I've done since buying the bike, although it is getting a bit loose now, so will need doing at some point.