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Chain Stretch Issue
- Thread starter junior
- Start date
Your manual will have a specification of the maximum distance over a certain number of links. If you exceed this, change your chain.
Some more information would be helpful:
- how many kms on the chain
- do you take it easy or do you do many high throttle acceleration runs.
- how often do you lubricate it
- (i'm afraid to ask) what do you use to lubricate it
Other points to inspect:
- rear sprocket: are the teeth worn and non-symmetrical?
- are there any stiff sections in the chain
- ensure you are actually tensioning it correctly (ie not too much). If you tension it too much, you will "stretch" your chain faster, as you need the slack for when your swing moves with suspension travel.
As far as a "chain stretching problem" I have a question for your: What causes the chain to "stretch"? If you think about this, it may shed some light as to what is going on what you should look for when inspecting your chain (how often do you inspect your chain, and what is your inspection?)
Cheers.
Some more information would be helpful:
- how many kms on the chain
- do you take it easy or do you do many high throttle acceleration runs.
- how often do you lubricate it
- (i'm afraid to ask) what do you use to lubricate it
Other points to inspect:
- rear sprocket: are the teeth worn and non-symmetrical?
- are there any stiff sections in the chain
- ensure you are actually tensioning it correctly (ie not too much). If you tension it too much, you will "stretch" your chain faster, as you need the slack for when your swing moves with suspension travel.
As far as a "chain stretching problem" I have a question for your: What causes the chain to "stretch"? If you think about this, it may shed some light as to what is going on what you should look for when inspecting your chain (how often do you inspect your chain, and what is your inspection?)
Cheers.
How would you characterize your chain lubrication regimen, frequent, rare, or never?
I have a feeling you are overtightening the chain, it should not be tight like a guitar string.
I have found that if I am continuously tightening my chain, it is at it's life's end.
The adjusting too often regimen, always sends me shopping for a new one.
Recently I have been exclusively buying EK ZZZ chains with ZST, and I find, even on litrebikes, I may have to adjust it twice every 3 yrs or so.
The adjusting too often regimen, always sends me shopping for a new one.
Recently I have been exclusively buying EK ZZZ chains with ZST, and I find, even on litrebikes, I may have to adjust it twice every 3 yrs or so.
-I'm not sure how many km's are on the chain, its the chain that came with the bike when I bought it. It passed safety with the recommendation that it will need to be adjusted soon.
-I ride the bike pretty easy most of the time, give it a good run 2 or 3 times if I ride for a full day.
-I've lubed it up twice since I got the bike. About 1000km's total so far.
-Using chain wax. I think it's bel-ray brand
I don't think I'm over adjusting, I leave about 30mm chain slack with no weight on the bike. Manual says 25-35mm.
Has anyone else used the EK zzz? Will I have a lubrication issue since its an x ring chain?
huh?
Tripletrouble
Well-known member
A quick check on the life left in a chain is to pull it straight back off the sprocket. If you can see more than half a tooth on the sprocket the chain is done. Once the hardened surface has worn through the softer steel underneath will wear rapidly.
I read somewhere that X-ring chains don't retain lubrication as well as O-ring
wouldn't this happen if your chain was loose anyway?
mma01
Well-known member
I really like EK chains. I have have the 520 pitch MVXZ with the "zero stretch technology" option on a 140 rwhp R1 and true to the claims, I havent had just adjust it in the past couple of years. The ZZZ is rated for 190 hp bikes and is probably way overkill for your application.
No, this method wold even if the chain is loose. Since the pitch of the sprocket never changes, as the chain stretches, with this method, you are comparing the difference from the fixed pitch of the sprocket with the stretched pith of the chain. With a new chain & sprockets, even if the chain had 70mm of slack, you would not be able to pull it off from the rear of the rear sprocket more than a mm or so (cause the chain pitch matches perfectly with the sprocket pitch)
Golluk
Well-known member
I don't think there would be an issue, hell all an x ring is is an o-ring with a little extra on the outer and inner edge, might as well be an o-ring imo.
Check to see if you have a tight spot in your chain.
When you are checking the slack are you rotating and checking the distance at about 10-15 spots in the chain?
My old chain had a tight spot in it and the constant stretch of the tight spot would make me have to adjust it more frequently.
I also Have an F4i, also there is a gauge on your left side of your swing arm right near the axle bolt that tells you if your getting close to replacing the chain.
When you are checking the slack are you rotating and checking the distance at about 10-15 spots in the chain?
My old chain had a tight spot in it and the constant stretch of the tight spot would make me have to adjust it more frequently.
I also Have an F4i, also there is a gauge on your left side of your swing arm right near the axle bolt that tells you if your getting close to replacing the chain.
My friend asked me this question last night. I put a new DID VM on the bike with new OEM sprockets, and I told her to pull straight back on the chain from the sprocket, then to try it on her Katana. She walked back into the Garage and said "I guess I'm getting a new tire AND chain and sprockets".Try this at the Timmies with your friends and you'll see what we mean.You can also stretch a chain unevenly, causing loose and tight spots. Simply adjust your chain, roll the bike forward and check it again. If the tension changes, you've pooched it, get another. Are the EK chains rivet? I've been using DID X ring for three years and they have consistenly outperformed the DID O-ring type. Lube is your friend, cutting down on friction.
frekeyguy
Well-known member
whats that about? pre-stretched chains?
Yup, exactly.
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