Chain keeps going slack

Benno · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2012 Karma :

I have tightened my chain but it keeps going slack. About three times I have tightened it, but it keeps going slack again. I'm pretty sure I did up all the nuts and bolts properly. Could the chain be about to break?
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Tungtvann · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Dec 2012 Karma :

If you've tightened everything up properly, it sounds like your chain is knackered.

J.M. · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Mar 2011 Karma :

Are you setting it correctly?
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CaNsA · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :

Tight Spot

trevor saxe-coburg-gotha · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

Yeah tight spot - or spots. Rotate wheel and check tension every inch or three. It can vary more than you might think. And more than you might like...
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Casper · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Karma :

What kind of Adjusters do you have? This type

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-KAWASAKI-GPZ500S-REAR-WHEEL-SPINDLE-WITH-CHAIN-ADJUSTERS-/380568613834?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item589ba833ca

If so the plate that covers the back of the swing arm that the adjusting bolt does into could be rusted to fook and bending in. You may also just not be tightening the lock nuts enough.

Kradmelder · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Jun 2012 Karma :

As the chain wears it will start to slacken more often. How old is it?

Or maybe it's because you are yanking your chain? Laughing

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Acemastr · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :

Setting it too tight will cause the bike to stretch it
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Matt B · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 May 2012 Karma :

Or possibly you have a very aggressive riding style?
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Skudd · Super Spammer Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :

Knackered chain
Too tight to start with
Tight spots
No lube
Riding style
Cheap chain
Not fastening correctly
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DrDonnyBrago · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Karma :

Towards the end of their life, chains do seem to wear at a faster rate.

MatteyA · Derestricted Danger Joined: 29 Apr 2013 Karma :

How many miles have you put on that chain?

At the end of my last chains life it did that. Was fine for thousands of miles, with very little adjustment needed, and then it quite quickly started going slack all the time, for the last 1.5k miles, i must have adjusted it 6-7 times whilst i was waiting for my new chain to be delivered.
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CBF 125

Benno · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2012 Karma :

I've put about 2500 miles on the chain (that's how long I've had the bike).

It could be tight spots, I didn't rotate it very much each time I tightened it.

I've been lubing it every now and then, though last time was about 600 miles ago (done some longer trips between now and then).

My riding style does involve some...aggressive urban overtaking, on occasion.... Embarassed

I'll get a new chain when I go in for the MOT in a few weeks I suppose and see if that helps also. Thanks for the suggestions Thumbs Up

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Islander · World Chat Champion Joined: 05 Aug 2012 Karma :

Check your sprockets for wear as well.

treeno · Crazy Courier Joined: 26 Dec 2012 Karma :

trevor saxe-coburg-gotha · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

Brick_Top · Spanner Monkey Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

If i were you, I'd replace it now not in a few weeks. It sounds absolutely fucked. Having it snap and fly off is not ideal for you or passers by.

Benno · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 May 2012 Karma :

MatteyA · Derestricted Danger Joined: 29 Apr 2013 Karma :

2500 miles is very low for a chain to be worn out though. Are you near the end of the adjustment marks on the swingarm?

If you are then i agree with others you need a new chain and need to clean + lube more often to make the new one last longer.
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Brick_Top · Spanner Monkey Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

Ed Case · World Chat Champion Joined: 01 Mar 2009 Karma :

I used to use that Castrol Chain Wax.............don't rate it at all...now use old engine oil...used sparingly, as good as anything and also as old oil, effectively free, just don't larrup too much on.

trevor saxe-coburg-gotha · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Karma :

ian505050 · Traffic Copper Joined: 27 Oct 2010 Karma :

when front sprockets are badly worn the can often cause very fast wear on a new chain.

I had a shagged front sprocket which was making me have to adjust a brand new chain i had fitted every 50 miles.

Brick_Top · Spanner Monkey Joined: 20 Oct 2004 Karma :

Why would you ever fit a new chain to a shitty old sprocket? Sprockets are cheap compared to chains.