mfs81 Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Keep forgetting to say and/or ask... Myself and a buddy keep looking at my chain on the bike. The chain has some slack to it. I can't really say how much slack with out looking it over again. So my question would be, what's the basic minimum the chain can or should have slack wise? And if should have slack at all? One day next wk, planning to have someone look it over. Thanks! Later... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Varies from bike to bike but probably around an inch and a half. Check the manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue03636 Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 You have to have slack otherwise the swingarm will bind. Look at the manual is a good start, I run mine on the loose side to where the chain can touch the swingarm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dying Shadow Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Should tell you on you're swing arm also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 9 times out of 10, most the track day guys run their chains WAAAY too tight. Which means they probably are running the street bike with too tight a chain. The idea as Craig - COUGH< COUGH "Mr. Smooth" stated is to allow the suspension and swingarm to work. For example, you will get wheel spin if the chain is too tight. If it is where it needs to be, the rear wheel gets traction and is gripping and working the suspension and swingarm as it should be. Quick reference also is three fingers stacked and can fit under the chain and above the swingarm at the top... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 More bong rips pauly? Lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerpaw Posted August 2, 2013 Report Share Posted August 2, 2013 Should I be able to pluck it like a guitar string and hear a tune? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serpentracer Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 don't forget the wd-40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M_Quick Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 http://www.ironbutt.com/ibmagazine/IBMag12-p64-67.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixxie750 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 I agree with 3 fingers and loose. This only apply's to chains however.... 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx3vfr Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 I adjsut mine to 1" as that is spec, I run it 1500-2000 miles between adjustments and generally let it g3t fairly loose, which is my previously stated intervals. Unless im planning a long highway trip I wont adjust it until its very loose.I do lube once a week tho with chain wax and clean every 2nd adjustment unless im going on a trip Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 I adjsut mine to 1" as that is spec, I run it 1500-2000 miles between adjustments and generally let it g3t fairly loose, which is my previously stated intervals. Unless im planning a long highway trip I wont adjust it until its very loose.I do lube once a week tho with chain wax and clean every 2nd adjustment unless im going on a trip Not enough, Chief... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serpentracer Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 (edited) if the wheels are mounted at yamaha, they put the chain on my R6 with way too little slack too. it was so tight you couldn't move it. Edited August 3, 2013 by serpentracer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 what are these chain things you all are talking about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 http://www.ironbutt.com/ibmagazine/IBMag12-p64-67.pdf I adjsut mine to 1" as that is spec, I run it 1500-2000 miles between adjustments and generally let it g3t fairly loose, which is my previously stated intervals. Unless im planning a long highway trip I wont adjust it until its very loose.I do lube once a week tho with chain wax and clean every 2nd adjustment unless im going on a tripBoth too tight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 More loose is more good, than more tight, which is more bad. I agree with 3 fingers and loose. This only apply's to chains however.... 9 times out of 10, most the track day guys run their chains WAAAY too tight. Which means they probably are running the street bike with too tight a chain. The idea as Craig - COUGH< COUGH "Mr. Smooth" stated is to allow the suspension and swingarm to work. For example, you will get wheel spin if the chain is too tight. If it is where it needs to be, the rear wheel gets traction and is gripping and working the suspension and swingarm as it should be. Quick reference also is three fingers stacked and can fit under the chain and above the swingarm at the top...Loose like these. Loose is fastTight is slow and a good way to crash when driving out of a corner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfs81 Posted August 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Varies from bike to bike but probably around an inch and a half. Check the manual. That's what I figured. Couldn't find anything in the book the other night. I'll look at it again and go check the bike out on this as well. Should tell you on you're swing arm also. Hmm.... I didn't recall a label on the swing arm area, but I'll double check. More loose is more good, than more tight, which is more bad. Some lady told that the other day...lmao Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dying Shadow Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Idk but I got one one mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSB67 Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 9 times out of 10, most the track day guys run their chains WAAAY too tight. 9 times out of 10, most the track day tech guys tell you your chain is WAAAY too tight. I started running at the looser end of spec in hopes of not hearing about it. If you ever really want to know what it does, take your shock off and run the swingarm through its range of travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zx3vfr Posted August 3, 2013 Report Share Posted August 3, 2013 Both too tighthow is spec from a manufacturer that has been building bikes for 50+ years too tight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 how is spec from a manufacturer that has been building bikes for 50+ years too tight?They don't have 1" as a spec amount. Minimum maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moto-Brian Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 9 times out of 10, most the track day tech guys tell you your chain is WAAAY too tight. I started running at the looser end of spec in hopes of not hearing about it. If you ever really want to know what it does, take your shock off and run the swingarm through its range of travel.They say that because its 100% accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixxie750 Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 If the bottom part of the chain smiles its correct. This does not apply to a worn out chain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidgetTodd Posted August 4, 2013 Report Share Posted August 4, 2013 how is spec from a manufacturer that has been building bikes for 50+ years too tight?Because mfg spec is not based on track usage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzledan Posted August 5, 2013 Report Share Posted August 5, 2013 Because mfg spec is not based on track usage.So is this something that should be switched between track/street use? If I hit a pothole and I'm running my chain at 2 inches of movement, will it jump the sprocket and make a beautiful noise? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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