Is my bike chain shot? ( with video) | GTAMotorcycle.com

Is my bike chain shot? ( with video)

sid_for_speed

sid_for_speed

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I'm seeing a lot of side to side play on my chain on the rear sprocket.. please see the video attached. Tension looks to be ok. Is this normal behavior or is my chain shot? Chain and sprocket were replaced last season and barely have 2000 miles on them!
 
Verify the chain is the correct size and check your countershaft sprocket for the same issue. IF there is a problem it might be the sprockets, maybe post a still image of the rear sprocket teeth if you can. Chains don't really wear much in that direction unless the rear wheel has been out of alignment for an extended period and even then the sprocket would be the first casualty.


Best way to check your chain for stretch or damage is to take it off for inspection, which is way more simple if you have a cir-clip master link. To measure the chain stretch the best way I know is to lay it along side a new chain.

"Chain and sprocket were replaced last season and barely have 2000 miles on them!" Miles or kilometres ? :unsure:
 
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That's not really a good way to check.
If your chain has the proper slack in the bottom, it shouldn't move too far to either side.
Pull the chain from exactly the same place you were grabbing it in the video, maybe a bit down.
Pull it backwards away from the sprocket. If you can see the root of the teeth when the chain is pulled, it need changing.
 
Brian P said:
I am guessing that you have a 525 chain and a 520 sprocket, or some such similar situation.
Click to expand...
To tell you the truth I have never checked how much it moves the way he is checking
But I've always had the stock size on the stock size sprockets.
 
I found out that my chain (and sprockets) needed replacing when the chain was loose enough to touch the centrestand at one point, and tight, tight, tight, at another. That was way too long to wait.

Edit: I can make mine wiggle like that. The sprockets and chain were all replace late last fall.
 
Low rider said:
That's not really a good way to check.
If your chain has the proper slack in the bottom, it shouldn't move too far to either side.
Pull the chain from exactly the same place you were grabbing it in the video, maybe a bit down.
Pull it backwards away from the sprocket. If you can see the root of the teeth when the chain is pulled, it need changing.
Click to expand...

The chain tension is ok. If I pull it the way you mention, I do not see the root of the teeth... does it move towards that direction, yes! but not so much as to start to show the root.... yet!
 
Brian P said:
I am guessing that you have a 525 chain and a 520 sprocket, or some such similar situation.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking of this thing as well! As the pitch of the chains is similar and assuming the length is similar as well, the only thing different between the 2 chains and how they mount, is the sprocket, in this case, the width of the rollers... hence a 525 chain on a 520 sprocket is slapping from side to side...

infact, I'll go ahead and tension the chain up to MAX tight,beyond the recommended limit just for a test.. and I suspect the side to side motion will still remain.

VERY unfortunate if I'm right, as I asked for exact OEM replacement...my only concern is safety...will it slide off the sprocket if I were to put unstable or abrupt load on the chain?
 
sid_for_speed said:
FCUK, MY BIKE HAS BEEN STOLEN! FCCUUK!!
Click to expand...

I'm thinking it's stolen from you and not you bought a stolen bike.

Either way. Sorry to hear. That really sucks.
 
Damn, sorry that sucks. Where was it stolen from? Condo parking?
 
With insurance you can get a new chain on a new bike
 
That sucks
Maybe consider an ugly thief proof bike as your next ride?
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