Tight/Loose chain.

[OB_CuriousMike]

Why is my stock chain (1500 miles on it) showing tight/loose areas?

Depending on where it sits, it has too much slack, or not enough.

It has been like this since almost new.

What is causing this?

[Guest]

i cant help u ref the chain, but ur profile interests are pretty cool!!

[OB_busTa Kaw]

$hit I dunno Mike. I have had more trouble with this damn busa chain than any bike I have ever had. I clean it, I oil it, I even pet it and talk to it but the dayum thing keeps stretchin'. I have tried adjusting it loose...I have tried adjusting it tight and 5miles later its stretched again.Sniff, sniff. Sorry.

[OB_maui]

Do more burn outs mike. that'll loosen it up for ya. Streeeech that pig. do about 10,5rpms then dump it in first. BTW if you start see'n serious sky, uh, never mind, too late then. Mines showing about 2000 miles. I put the 16 tooth sprocket on (at 600 miles) which put the wheel waaaay back. If the chain doesn't stop streching soon, tire's gonna fall right of the swing arm. I've heard that they strech till about 2000 miles and stop. hope so. other wise I'll have to get a bigger rear sprocket...(42?)

you're checking it in neutral right?

[This message has been edited by maui (edited 10 July 2000).]

[Gixx1300R]

sounds like one of 3 things

1.Chain needs to be lubed(some links are frozen)
2.Chain is bent
3.rear sprocket is bent

[OB_Hammerfest]

Mine stretched like nobodies business for the first 2500 miles with the same care and feeding above. Was worried it was going to go outa spec before the tire wore out. During the last 2500 miles i haven't had to adjust it it's been fine and within spec.

Suzuki spec BTW is to measure the center to center pin distance over 21 pins it should be less than 12.57 inches (about 12 and 9/16 inches).

Would be interested if anyone knows if RK has a warranty for the Busa chain. I understand they sell a 20,000 mile 530 chain. Given the cost of a new one this is a serious chunk of change.

[OB_MANO]

The owners manual says to oil every link 4 times.I really do this,with[Suzuki recommends 20-50w]even though Suzuki has their own spray lube.My chains don't stretch much,I only adjusted my '99 3-4 times in 9000miles,including tire changes.
Stretched spots can be caused by parts of the chain not being lubed evenly can't they?
Kawasaki still recommends 90w for the 12,and I tried 20-50w when I got it and it seemed to be stretching it too soon.

[OB_rick phillips]

on the profile like they say in the military (don't ask don't tell)

[OB_CuriousMike]

Thanks all for the tips.
The burn-outs sound the funnest, but I think I'll have to do something slightly more down to earth.

Not having a centerstand nor rear-stand makes this difficult; my old VFR single-sided stand doesn't fit right... hmmm.

It's tight, it's loose, it's tight. Ugh.

I'm checking it in gear... always. I'm afraid to ever put the bike into neutral... it might fall off the stand.

I'll let you guys know this weekend if I come up with anything... I'm gonna try measuring pin-to-pin and see whats up.

[OB_GUNSLINGER]

Mike, I had exactly the same problem with my '97 Blackbird. It just didn't seem like I could get a consistent chain adjustment. Finally, I put it on the center stand and watched the chain moving up and down as it was idling in 1st gear. Then I got to looking closely at the rear sprocket, and noticed that as it turned it had visible runout. Turns out that the sprocket was not drilled exactly in the center, so as it rotated around the axis, it would cause the chain to go tight and then loose.
If you dont see anything wrong with that, if the chain still moves up and down as it's idling in gear, check to make sure your countersprocket or shaft isn't the cause.

XXLR8

[OB_NumbNuts]

Curious mike

No stand??

have you got a trolley jack and a 8mm bolt??

Put bolt into RHS bobbin holder

Sidestand down, point bike UPHILL.

gently jack rear of bike(on inserted bolt) whilst holding grabrail) until rear tyre is able to turn freely

fix chain

let down

remove bolt

Jobs a goodun'

this is how I did mine until last w/end and a centre stand!!

(No responsibility is accepted for blah balhblah)
Nuts

[OB_maui]

mike, if you leave it in gear while you check you're gonna have a hard time. If that's what you're doing (because the side stand) find some level ground to check! Find the hard spot, reach up and pull in the clutch and see if it goes away. You'll be right there so if the bike falls it will kill you and not damage the side.

If it falls on level ground you've got bigger problems...

[This message has been edited by maui (edited 11 July 2000).]