You always have to set up your chain at the tightest part of it's run. Why does it have one? Surely a drive chain should wear at an equal rate at all points!
2007-05-02 13:08:40 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
--When the chain is brand new, there are no tight or loose spots.
--During heavy acceleration, the engine is putting a strain on the chain. At that instant, the rollers get a little worn (at that spot) faster then the rest of the chain.
--When the chain starts to ware out a little, the rollers get some extra play in them. That's why the chain gets loose.
--When the chain isn't adjusted reguarly, it gets looser and looser. When accelerating, the engine yanks the chain forward to take up the slack until it turns the R wheel.
--That constant yanking on the chain, wares the rollers a little more in that spot.
--Now you have tight spots (as if it was brand new) and loose spots (where the chain is most worn).
--You have to check and adjust the chain slack, at the spot where the chain is tightest.
--If you "set up" the slack at one of the loose spots (that's where the chain is stretched), when the chain gets around to the tight spot, the rollers are stretching against each other trying to match the free play of the worn part of the chain.
2007-05-02 13:44:20 · answer #1 · answered by guardrailjim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Something you guys missed, tight spots can be caused by worn sprockets. The sprocket does not always wear evenly, If the chain is correctly adjusted on a loose spot, you will have a tight spot each rear wheel revolution, even with a new chain. A worn spot in a chain will have a tight spot every 2 or 3 revolutions, (depends on length of chain, number of teeth on rear sprocket). Not unusual on an old bike to have both.
Tomcotexas
2007-05-02 23:24:21 · answer #2 · answered by tomcotexas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a drive chain in good condition should not have tight spots. this probably means you have tight link pins/bushings on some of the links. when these links are on the sprockets they don't have an effect - but when they are mid run they will zig-zag a little bit. i suggest you put a screw driver or a socket extension in the rear sprocket teeth and roll up the chain on it with some tension (not too hard) to stretch out the kinked links - then adjust it.
2007-05-02 20:25:05 · answer #3 · answered by Thomas E 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
guardrail jim has a great explanation. The shock loads will also cause it to stretch, as well as wear. Wheelies and "dumping" the clutch cause even higher shock loads, resulting in really noticeable stretched areas.
2007-05-02 22:40:39 · answer #4 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would think it would. Not sure why set up at tight spots.
2007-05-02 20:26:18 · answer #5 · answered by Jewel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you get a new chain you should get new sprockets.
2007-05-03 19:08:29 · answer #6 · answered by gixx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋