Chain too tight, help!

mahnoy

mahnoy

Well-known member
My chain was too loose after I rode my bike up from Windsor... so I was watching youtube videos on how to tighten it. Looks easy, I thought to myself...

As I got started, my landlord came by, and I asked his help to unbolt the axle bolt. Then he went and unbolted the adjuster nut. He was also pulling the rear wheel... I should have never asked for his help!!! Now my chain is too tight when I tighten everything back, and my ticks don't match up! No matter how tight or loose I screw my adjustment bolt on the right, it doesn't seem to be moving. I try kicking the wheel forward but it still no good.

Can someone please help me?
 
Are you first loosening the rear axle then loosening the adjuster nuts?

When I adjust my chain, I never go by the hash marks on the swing arm. I just move the chain up and down and check for the amount of free play.

Also, are you adjusting the chain with the bike on a center or rear stand? Or is the rear tire touching the ground?
 
Last edited:
If the chain is getting tighter when tightening the axle nut place a screwdriver handle or wrench in between the chain and rear sprocket at the bottom (not all the way between, just wedged). Once you've tightened the axle nut, remove whatever tool you stuck in there and your chain tension should be good.
 
Hey guys, I was working on it all day today and I think I got it... or at least it's the closest I'm going to get to it. I was working on it with the side stand down, using a jack just to lift the rear tire off the ground. I pushed the tires in and it loosened up. I used the trick with the screwdriver in the sprocket, but the chain is still tight. I read that if there's a big difference between the loose spot and the tight spot, then the chains are done, which seems to be the case for me. The tight spot only has half an inch of stretch, and the loose spot has probably 1.5 inches. I took it for a ride and I can hear it when it tightens up.... I talked to my dad about it. He thinks it's the alignment. He said it does that on a bicycle. What do you think?
 
I'm pretty sure your chain is shot, it would have to be really out of alignment to have that affect and still don't think it would be that extreme..
 
I had a stretched spot on my previous chain. It would "slap" the swingarm all the time and when I had the bike on the rear stand and let it idle in second, I could see the notch in the chain as it went around the rear sprocket.

Dumped it and got a new one, smooth as butter.
 
mahnoy, what do you ride?

I apologize before hand if you already know the following, and in no way am I trying to be condescending. And anyone can correct me if i'm wrong :P.

If it's a sportbike, get yourself spool/swingarm lift/stand, and a breaker bar, and crack that axle (your toolkit has the socket/tool) and make sure both sides are aligned exactly. You should have about an inch and a half of play with the tire on the ground. Remember it tightens up once you lower the tire to the ground. Please don't force the axle with only the spacers/adjusters.

If you establish beyond a reasonable doubt that your axle is adjust properly and you're still experiencing those issues, I agree with the rest and replace that chain. If the sprocket teeth look rounded off, you may want to consider changing those out too.

Good luck!! I hope everything works out for you!
 
i pretty sure if you get a new chain, its best to get new front/rear sprockets. That way there will be no premature failure/wear and you KNOW everything will be good if you take care of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom