How do I know when my motorcycle chain is too loose?
Without a motorcycle chain, you wouldn't be able to move your motorcycle much.It can be frustrating when you do regular maintenance on it.Many people run into the problem of the chain becoming loose without an answer as to why.
Why does my chain get loose?A motorcycle chain that keeps getting loose is usually caused by the rear axle or chain tensioning bolts not being tight enough.It can be caused by a new chain not being worn in enough, worn down sprocket teeth, having too tight of a tension, or having the wrong size of chain installed.
If you run into a loose chain on your motorcycle, you need to fix the issue.I can explain everything you need to know about how to stop it from happening again, and I have run into this problem many times myself.
There are many reasons that a motorcycle chain can become loose.There are a few easy ways to check how it is happening.
A motorcycle chain with the ability to stretch will become loose at first.In between the links there is a little bit of slack, not the metal itself.The metal isn't quite worn in yet, as the links wear into each other.
The wear between the links is very small.Because there is an average of 100 links in a chain, all of that wear combined can give the impression that the chain has stretched and you will likely notice some slack on your new chain after a few hundred miles.You need to check the chain tension after you get a new chain.If necessary, tighten it up again.
If you haven't gotten a new chain in a while, there is a chance it is still loose.The back of the swing arm has two fork shaped parts that point backwards.The two forks are in the middle of your axle.
The rear tire is pulled back by a bolt on either side of the wheel.The tensioning bolts are not tight enough if your chain keeps getting loose.This is the cause of a lot of loose chains.
A chain can become loose if the teeth on the front and rear sprockets are worn down.The chain will appear to have become stretched due to less surface area going in between the links.If this is happening to you, it's a good idea to check the teeth of the sprockets.
There is a little bit of slack in each chain.It is important to check the tension of the chain to make sure it is not too tight.If you tighten the chain too much, it will stretch or wear into the links more aggressively.Check with your owner's manual to make sure you don't tighten your chain too much.
Chains on motorcycles are not interchangeable.Each motorcycle requires a specific kind and size of chain to fit, and the chain must fit over every tooth of the sprocket.You have the wrong chain if it doesn't fit with the sprocket teeth.
I've seen this problem before.The chain I bought on eBay had the wrong teeth for the sprocket.It had a few teeth that didn't fit between the links.If you notice this, you should replace your chain with the right one.This could cause the chain to fall off.
Even for the least experienced mechanics, it is easy to fix a loose chain on a motorcycle.If you find the reason your chain keeps getting loose, try one of the following methods.
If you just got a new chain and it loosens after 50 miles, ride another 50 and tighten it.It may take a few hundred miles for each chain to stretch into it's normal state.Even if your chain is still wearing into those links, you have room to add more tension because there is a lot of play in the rear chain adjustment.
The most likely culprit is that the tensioning bolts aren't tight enough.To see how tight the bolts need to be, you have to refer to your owner's manual.
When the motorcycle vibrates, the tensioning bolts can become loose and give your chain slack.If you have a motorcycle that vibrates a lot, you might want to put a lock nut on there.
If you notice the teeth have worn down, you will need to replace one or both of the sprockets.It is best to replace it even if it is just a few teeth because it can cause a domino effect and cause the other teeth to wear down faster.
If you have tried all of these methods and your chain still seems loose, it may be time to buy a new chain.Changing a chain is very easy.
There is a master link on most chains.There is a small clip on there that will separate the chain.The hidden front sprocket has a few teeth that you can feed the new motorcycle chain on to which will come out the other side.You can connect the chain when you put the clip on the master link.
If your motorcycle does not have a master link, you can either take the rear wheel off or cut the chain with a grinder.To put the new one on, you need to take the rear wheel off.
It can be difficult to deal with a motorcycle chain that keeps coming loose.It will be possible to prevent this occurrence by performing regular maintenance on it.
It is important to check your chain every few hundred miles after you have fixed it.It's a good idea to check it when you fill up with gas.
Make sure the tension is right.Most bikes require about a half inch of slack, which is different for each motorcycle.Check your owner's manual to see how much slack your motorcycle needs on its chain.
To lubricate the chain, be sure to do it every 4,000-5,000 miles or every six months.Since the oil has the same intervals of maintenance, I check my chain every time I change it.
There is a chance of the chain coming off the sprockets.Even though the engine is still running, you will lose power to your motorcycle.If you think about losing power in the middle of the freeway, this may not seem so bad.
A loose chain has the potential of breaking and hitting the back of the rider's leg or projecting backwards and damaging the vehicles behind it.It is possible for it to jam up in one of the sprockets and cause the motorcycle to stop.There is an article about what can happen if a motorcycle chain breaks.
It's important to pay attention to the chain on your motorcycle.If left unaddressed it can be quite a nuisance for the motorcycle owner.
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