Chain too tight: what damage if I ride bike?

Princess's Man

Princess's Man

Banned
Ok, so my chain tension is too tight. It's about 25mm, and my manual says it's supposed to be between 46-48 mm.

I don't have enough time to actually adjust the tension, so I'm wondering if it's a dumb idea to ride it. I'm going for about 60km (some on highway).

Do you think I'll do some damage if I ride it? I know the chain could snap, but I've already ridden her back home from the mechanic (the person who tightened the chain too tight).

Thanks!
 
Princess's Man said:
Ok, so my chain tension is too tight. It's about 25mm, and my manual says it's supposed to be between 46-48 mm.

I don't have enough time to actually adjust the tension, so I'm wondering if it's a dumb idea to ride it. I'm going for about 60km (some on highway).

Do you think I'll do some damage if I ride it? I know the chain could snap, but I've already ridden her back home from the mechanic (the person who tightened the chain too tight).

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If you had time to log on / make this thread / think about what you were going to type............you DO have enough time to re-adjust it.
 
Tight chains lead to excessive friction and wear on the sprockets and counter shaft bearings.

You are always better to be slightly looser than spec than to be too tight, and try adjusting it with a load on the bike, as swingarm deflection will be a factor when the bike is loaded up.
 
Princess's Man said:
Ok, so my chain tension is too tight. It's about 25mm, and my manual says it's supposed to be between 46-48 mm.

I don't have enough time to actually adjust the tension, so I'm wondering if it's a dumb idea to ride it. I'm going for about 60km (some on highway).

Do you think I'll do some damage if I ride it? I know the chain could snap, but I've already ridden her back home from the mechanic (the person who tightened the chain too tight).

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Tight chain also prevents suspension travel.
Take the 5 min. To adjust.
 
Thanks for the replies!

Yeah, I guess I do have time. But, my bike's at another location. I don't have access to my car (for this appointment), which I would just use instead of taking my bike. And, have never tightened my chain (so don't have any experience), and still need to buy an axle socket @ CND Tire. Sorry, excuses, excuses I know. But, this meeting was last minute, and it's fairly time sensitive.

Ok, so if there's a risk of doing some major damage, then I'll either take a cab or bus. But, if riding for 60km won't do much damage, then I'll take a chance.
 
I'd adjust it first , but if there is no option just dont power shift or accelerate really hard or drop the clutch and you can certainly minimize the risk.

Oh f' it, take the bus.
 
crankcall said:
I'd adjust it first , but if there is no option just dont power shift or accelerate really hard or drop the clutch and you can certainly minimize the risk.

Oh f' it, take the bus.
Click to expand...

Or hit a bump, pothole, curb, etc...

If it's THAT tight then aside from damage to your bearings / counter shaft ($$$) there's also the possibility of locking your suspension travel and, on the extreme; snapping the chain. That snapped chain could pierce your engine case or your leg. The loss of power at the wrong time or that chain going into the wrong place at the wrong time could cause you to dump your bike.

Shall I go on?

You've ID'd that the chain is WAY too tight (half of its recommended tightness), it's a risk not worth taking.
 
I'd get the toolkit out from under the seat and adjust it in the parking lot.

Read your owners manual and since you have the time google search adjust chain motorcycle and you should find plenty of hits.

When you back off the adjusters on the swing arm, ensure that you do both sides the same, for example 2 full turns on each side. It keeps the wheel straight, and the chain lined up properly with respect to the sprockets.

There should be hours of this stuff on YouTube.
 
Princess's Man said:
still need to buy an axle socket
Click to expand...
Not sure how it is on your bike, but as long as my axle nut is torqued to spec I don't have to loosen it to adjust the chain. Move the adjusters (equal amounts on both sides, DON'T use the little ticks on the adjusters/wingarm) then go for a ride around the block. Voila, chain now at proper slack :)
 
hpvchewy said:
Not sure how it is on your bike, but as long as my axle nut is torqued to spec I don't have to loosen it to adjust the chain. Move the adjusters (equal amounts on both sides, DON'T use the little ticks on the adjusters/wingarm) then go for a ride around the block. Voila, chain now at proper slack :)
Click to expand...
Isn't that only good for tightening the slack?
 
fastar1 said:
Isn't that only good for tightening the slack?
Click to expand...
Nope, when you move the adjuster bolts forward, creating a gap between the adjuster block and the adjuster bolt, the first time you let the clutch out it'll pull the tire forward up to the adjuster bolts, there by creating the required slack in the chain :)
 
hpvchewy said:
Nope, when you move the adjuster bolts forward, creating a gap between the adjuster block and the adjuster bolt, the first time you let the clutch out it'll pull the tire forward up to the adjuster bolts, there by creating the required slack in the chain :)
Click to expand...

LOL ooops for some reason I was thinking the adjuster bolts were behind the blocks. Gotta get my hands dirty more.
 
coyo said:
Or hit a bump, pothole, curb, etc...

If it's THAT tight then aside from damage to your bearings / counter shaft ($$$) there's also the possibility of locking your suspension travel and, on the extreme; snapping the chain. That snapped chain could pierce your engine case or your leg. The loss of power at the wrong time or that chain going into the wrong place at the wrong time could cause you to dump your bike.

Shall I go on?

You've ID'd that the chain is WAY too tight (half of its recommended tightness), it's a risk not worth taking.
Click to expand...

Yes, please go on :)
 
Princess's Man said:
Ok, so my chain tension is too tight. It's about 25mm, and my manual says it's supposed to be between 46-48 mm.

I don't have enough time to actually adjust the tension, so I'm wondering if it's a dumb idea to ride it. I'm going for about 60km (some on highway).

Do you think I'll do some damage if I ride it? I know the chain could snap, but I've already ridden her back home from the mechanic (the person who tightened the chain too tight).

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The amount of time it took you to post this thread you could have already adjusted your chain.
 
on this topic does anybody else have trouble adjusting on a sssa? The c-spanner tool that came with my triumph is a pos and the adjusting hub is so stuff that I had to use a mallet and screwdriver to adjust.
 
^^ sssa= single side swing arm, at first I was like wtf?? but I know what bike VRUS has...

OP if you do adjust it yourself make sure the back wheel is properly aligned or it will seriously **** up your sprockets...
 
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