Chain tight spots

[Matthew-TMM]

My bike seems to have tight spots in the chain, so that the vertical play in the chain varies by around 5mm. Is this acceptable? I assume it's mainly due to uneven wear around the sprockets, is this the case?

[Hooli]

tried lubing it a few times? links can get sticky when not used for a bit.
its not normal & can be a sign of the chain wearing out, but if it doesnt get worse then its not a worry.
another check for the chain - try to pull it off the back of the rear sprocket, around 3 o'clock, if it lifts more than a few mm then its worn out.

[Matthew-TMM]

I gave it a clean and doused it in chain lube, although it's due another go, so I'll do that tomorrow. I'll make an effort to not be so lazy and actually look a bit closer rather than just observing the variation.

[catso]

Can you take the chain off? if so soak it in parafin or some other cleaner and then in oil/lube and give it a good flexing.

Either that or it needs replacing......

[dern]

Matthew-TMM said:

My bike seems to have tight spots in the chain, so that the vertical play in the chain varies by around 5mm. Is this acceptable? I assume it's mainly due to uneven wear around the sprockets, is this the case?

5mm difference isn't much. Adjust to the correct play at the tight spot and away you go.

[Brummmie]

catso said:

Can you take the chain off? if so soak it in parafin or some other cleaner and then in oil/lube and give it a good flexing.

Either that or it needs replacing......

If you do this to an O ring chain, you will flush out the grease that is LOCKED IN by the O rings, therefore scrapping it.

[catso]

Brummmie said:

catso said:

Can you take the chain off? if so soak it in parafin or some other cleaner and then in oil/lube and give it a good flexing.

Either that or it needs replacing......

If you do this to an O ring chain, you will flush out the grease that is LOCKED IN by the O rings, therefore scrapping it.

Oops

To be fair I've only ever done this on clip-link non O-ring chains, when my O-ring riveted chain comes off it won't be going back on.

[Matthew-TMM]

Having abandoned being lazy I've given it a good clean with paraffin and an old toothbrush, and given it a good lube, I've had a good look at it, and it's new chain time as a few links are seized causing the variable tension (which varies a bit more than I seemed to remember last night), and theres a fair bit of sideways slop anyway. It looks like it's been neglected in the past as underneath the mixture of lube and grime the link plates are a bit rusty.

Any reccomendations for online chain suppliers?

Edited by Matthew-TMM on Friday 11th July 12:53

[dern]

Matthew-TMM said:

Any reccomendations for online chain suppliers?

http://www.stealthproducts.co.uk/products/sprocket.php

I bought one for the blade along with sprockets and it's still going strong despite commute use.

[Matthew-TMM]

Is it worth replacing the sprockets at the same time as a matter of course?

[dern]

Matthew-TMM said:

Is it worth replacing the sprockets at the same time as a matter of course?

If I was replacing a chain I would always do the sprockets and if you order a kit from the link I posted you get the chain and the sprockets for 60 quid.

[Matthew-TMM]

dern said:

Matthew-TMM said:

Is it worth replacing the sprockets at the same time as a matter of course?

If I was replacing a chain I would always do the sprockets and if you order a kit from the link I posted you get the chain and the sprockets for 60 quid.

Is the chain they supply an endless type or does it have a master link, as my instruction manual tells me not to use the latter? Are endless types supplied joined, or will I need to buy a rivetter as well? Is it worth spending £9 extra to get a chain and sprocket kit with a DID chain (as specifed for my bike) from another online supplier?

I seem to remember reading that it's worth avoiding aluminium alloy sprockets as they wear faster, what's normally supplied in kits?

Thanks

Edited by Matthew-TMM on Friday 11th July 14:05

[dern]

Matthew-TMM said:

dern said:

Matthew-TMM said:

Is it worth replacing the sprockets at the same time as a matter of course?

If I was replacing a chain I would always do the sprockets and if you order a kit from the link I posted you get the chain and the sprockets for 60 quid.

Is the chain they supply an endless type or does it have a master link, as my instruction manual tells me not to use the latter? Are endless types supplied joined, or will I need to buy a rivetter as well? Is it worth spending £9 extra to get a chain and sprocket kit with a DID chain (as specifed for my bike) from another online supplier?

I bought an x-ring chain for my blade from them and it was suppied open with a link. It's been fine on my blade but I can't really comment on what you need for your bike but can't see why you'd be able to use a linked chain on a fireblade and not your gs. As far as I'm aware DID is just a manufacturer and there's nothing special about them apart from the fact that they slipped suzuki a few quid to the recommended supplier. Could be wrong I guess.

[Matthew-TMM]

dern said:

I bought an x-ring chain for my blade from them and it was suppied open with a link. It's been fine on my blade but I can't really comment on what you need for your bike but can't see why you'd be able to use a linked chain on a fireblade and not your gs. As far as I'm aware DID is just a manufacturer and there's nothing special about them apart from the fact that they slipped suzuki a few quid to the recommended supplier. Could be wrong I guess.

Sorry, is that a clip type link or a pin you press in?

Thanks for all your help.

Edited by Matthew-TMM on Friday 11th July 14:25

[dern]

Matthew-TMM said:

dern said:

I bought an x-ring chain for my blade from them and it was suppied open with a link. It's been fine on my blade but I can't really comment on what you need for your bike but can't see why you'd be able to use a linked chain on a fireblade and not your gs. As far as I'm aware DID is just a manufacturer and there's nothing special about them apart from the fact that they slipped suzuki a few quid to the recommended supplier. Could be wrong I guess.

Sorry, is that a clip type link or a pin you press in?

I can't find a picture of one but I guess that this is what you mean by a clip type...



...and the one that I fitted is essentially the same except without the clip. You put the side with the pins through the two ends of the chain, place the other side over the holes and then mushroom the ends of the pins holding it all in place. There's special tools to do the job but the most efficient way of removing and old chain is with an angle grinder and a ball pein hammer to mushroom the ends of the pins (and something heavy to use as an anvil) does the job better that the 'special' tool I bought.

Regards.

Edited to add: Is that what you call an endless chain? If so sorry, it was definitely supplied with two ends so...

Edited by dern on Friday 11th July 14:50

[Matthew-TMM]

dern said:

I can't find a picture of one but I guess that this is what you mean by a clip type...



...and the one that I fitted is essentially the same except without the clip. You put the side with the pins through the two ends of the chain, place the other side over the holes and then mushroom the ends of the pins holding it all in place. There's special tools to do the job but the most efficient way of removing and old chain is with an angle grinder and a ball pein hammer to mushroom the ends of the pins (and something heavy to use as an anvil) does the job better that the 'special' tool I bought.

Regards.

Edited to add: Is that what you call an endless chain? If so sorry, it was definitely supplied with two ends so...

Edited by dern on Friday 11th July 14:50

Thanks, that's what I was talking about. I thought I'd be clever and use the terminology used in the instruction manual.

[Hooli]

endless chains are claimed to be stronger than the clip-link ones. how im not sure as the chain is the same, its just a different way of stopping the link falling apart.
sprockets are worth doing as a worn sprocket will wear your chain a lot faster. also remember the front sprocket wears a LOT faster than the back one & normally you cant see that till you start taking the bike apart.

[Momentofmadness]

IMHO DID is the best chain, have a look here http://www.wemoto.com/ - you can also get a front sprocket with one less tooth for some added ooommmppphh!

[Matthew-TMM]

I'm getting a chain and sprocket set now anyway, I took the front sprocket cover off and the sprocket is shark toothed so it's due. I've ordered a DID chain and sprocket set as I do like to use OE parts (or the same parts in a different box) where there isn't much of a price difference, but that's just personal.