i saw a harley today.it looked like there was at least 4 inches of slop in the chain,i think i would want it to be tight.if you can jump up and down on the chain and it doesnt budge,i think that would be just right!!!!!!
2006-11-25 12:20:45 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
so the chain doesnt bind, pop, and break. it also needs that much "slop" to compensate for suspension travel.
2006-11-25 12:25:11 · answer #1 · answered by justin n 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope, you need that slack to make it work right. Several reasons for this. First is that the chain will expand and contract as it warms or cools and if you had it "tight" then it would get too tight when cold, or still loosen up when warm. Second is vibration as if the chain is very tight the one side that has the "pull" on it would cause the other side to vibrate at a high velocity due to it's being in a bind, but not carrying the load either. That slack in the chain lets the "slack" side basicall flow along with no real vibration, but some bounce. That is where the chain guides come in on some bikes. Third is that the swing arm often changes the tension angle on the chain and if you had it properly adjusted and then "sat on the bike" it would either get tighter, or looser depending on the design. This allows the engineers to put the drive assemblies and control arm where they need to for handling and clearance, etc. and still drive the rear wheel easily. That slack should be set according to the specs for your bike within a reasonable amount. Also the chain needs to stay lubed and when it is off the bike and in your hands you should be able to bend it easily without any hard spots or kinks. If it has any of those then the bushings in those links are worn and the chain is junk and needs replacement.
2006-11-25 20:28:26 · answer #2 · answered by mohavedesert 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The chain has to have at least one inch of play in it or it will stretch or break and also wear out the sprockets and chain sooner. The bike you saw had too much play and needed to be tightened more or replaced if stretched.
2006-11-25 20:25:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Four inches of slack is way way to much, one inch at mid chain is lots. To tight is no good either, the sprockets will wear real fast and so will the chain rollers and links. Obviously this dude doesn,t believe in maintenance.
2006-11-25 20:32:17 · answer #4 · answered by frank750cc 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, as a chain wears, there's one certain spot (as the sprocket turns) where it is tightest.
When the swing arm is level to the point where the rear axle is level with the transmission sprocket, that will be the longest (tightest) spot of suspension travel.
2006-11-26 06:46:04 · answer #5 · answered by strech 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His chain was obviously too loose.There should be 1/2" of play when it is adjusted properly.This slack keeps the bearings,chain,sprockets, and other related parts from wearing out too soon.
2006-11-25 22:14:14 · answer #6 · answered by bill b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there needs to be some slack in the chain in order to not put too much tension on the sprockets and associated bearings and other parts. Although you discribe 4" of play I'd say that's too much but it does need some slack....just like an alternator belt or water pump belt needs some slack in them in order not to put too much tension on the bearings causing premature wearing.
2006-11-25 20:27:37 · answer #7 · answered by Kenneth S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, then it would wear out in about a week.
2006-11-25 20:25:32 · answer #8 · answered by done wrenching 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋