Chain tension

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by Bristolstr, Mar 8, 2015.

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  1. Bristolstr

    Bristolstr New Member

    Mar 8, 2015
    0
    1
    Bristol
    have just tightened chain on street triple r. She's sat on paddock stand and work done, however, when turning wheel the chain seems to be tighter in places than others. Is this normal, or indication of problems. All knowledge appreciated.
     
  2. Bristolstr

    Bristolstr New Member

    Mar 8, 2015
    0
    1
    Bristol
    It was on loose so tightened, then noticed tension wasn't equal all around the turn of the wheel. Have now tightened to 20mm on tight side. Will it need new sprocket as well? It does get lubed, but not so much this year and has been stood up for a while. Any particular brand of chain more suited to the street t r than others?
     
  3. Creaky

    Creaky Well-Known Member

    Feb 25, 2015
    99
    93
    Nottinghamshire
    I was always led to believe that any chain slack should be adjusted whilst the bike is on the side stand and absorbing load and any adjustment made at the tightest spot with the bike being wheeled to check adjustment at varying points along its length. When I used purely chain wax on an o ring chain my bike shop told me to occasionally add a squirt of general lubricating oil to the o rings to keep them lubed as the waxes can be a bit too dry.
     
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  4. Bristolstr

    Bristolstr New Member

    Mar 8, 2015
    0
    1
    Bristol
    Maybe I done it wrong, looked up on Internet and said to take all pressure off of wheel. This was for 2014 model tho, so might be different, but adjust at tightest point.
     
  5. Creaky

    Creaky Well-Known Member

    Feb 25, 2015
    99
    93
    Nottinghamshire
    May be best to check with your dealer if the handbook doesn't explain the correct procedure. Be surprised if you're ready for a new chain and sprockets on a 2014 year bike unless the mileage and use is very high or it has been seriously neglected. As Half Ton says check for seized links first and try freeing these up.
     
  6. Bristolstr

    Bristolstr New Member

    Mar 8, 2015
    0
    1
    Bristol
    Sorry, mines a 2009 but info I seen was for 2014. So possibly different. Trip to the garage may be in order, to put my mind at rest as much as anything.
     
  7. Creaky

    Creaky Well-Known Member

    Feb 25, 2015
    99
    93
    Nottinghamshire
    I have a 2008 Thruxton as from last week so not adjusted mine yet as all set by supplying dealer. Just checked my handbook and it states that tightest spot should be adjusted when the bike is on its side stand. It also gives guidance on how to check for chain wear limits by suspending a weight from the chain and then measuring length of a specific number of links. Do you have an owners manual for yours?
     
  8. Bristolstr

    Bristolstr New Member

    Mar 8, 2015
    0
    1
    Bristol
    I do somewhere. Just finished house renovation so still unpacking everything, hence I looked online..
     
  9. crispey

    crispey crispey creme de la creme

    Nov 6, 2014
    7,194
    1,000
    Uk
    As creaky says the thruxton is meant to be tightened on side stand but might be different for yours. The chain will always wear unevenly so, yes pick the tightest area and use that as the guide. If the difference between the tightest and loosest is becomes excessive then change it.
    If when you accelerate from light and your feet are flapping behind you you are probably stretching the chain unevenly!!
     
  10. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,211
    1,000
    North Yorkshire
    Triumph Workshop manual says that the Bonneville chain should be adjusted on the side stand.
     
  11. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,064
    1,000
    Central France
    If you can visualise the three important pivot points you'll understand better why all bikes get their chains adjusted whilst on the side stand.

    Watch this :
     
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  12. Keith Inglis

    Keith Inglis Member

    Feb 17, 2015
    18
    18
    Kings Lynn
    you can check how good or bad the chain and sprocket is by trying to pull the chain away from the back sprocket if you can you need to look at both to check for wear, and if you have a chain off the bike back sprocket you should not be able to bend/move it sideways very much if you can it is scrap.
    Keith
     
  13. roadrider

    roadrider First Class Member

    Jul 26, 2013
    1,002
    500
    Oxon
    All good advice.If you replace the chain then put new sprockets on as well.
    No point putting a good chain on a bad sprocket.
    Wouldn't worry to much about hanging a weight off the chain,tightest spot and adjust on the side stand.
     
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  14. ex968bloke

    ex968bloke New Member

    Apr 22, 2015
    0
    1
    lincs
    America handbook says 20 to 30mm of slack, workshop manual says 40 to 50mm, surely with the bike on a centre stand or lift and the rear shox disconnected so the axle and swing arm pivot can be lined up with the gearbox output shaft 20 to 30mm is enough play?
     
  15. camman

    camman Member

    Jun 7, 2015
    19
    8
    christchurch dorset
    If you have an unevenly stretched chain, you will almost certainly have an unevenly worn sprocket/s.
    Nearly always best to replace them both, probably the only exception is if a crap chain was fitted and stretched prematurely. If there is only the slightest sign of "hooking" on the sprocket/s, then I would replace.
    Common mistake is chains set to tight, which contributes to premature stretching.
     
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  16. Wiiliam Simpkins

    Wiiliam Simpkins New Member

    May 20, 2017
    7
    3
    South Wales
    My mot examiner pointed out this very same problem, ended up buying a new chain& sprockets with 18000 mls on the clock.
     
  17. Oldyam

    Oldyam Grumpy Old Git

    May 14, 2017
    613
    500
    ireland
    Rather than disconnecting stuff to get the swing arm into the correct place for adjustment a ratchet strap over the seat can be used to raise the swing arm to the correct position allowing you to make adjustments and check for tight spots in the chain / sprockets.
     
  18. Ken walburn

    Ken walburn Noble Member

    Jun 28, 2017
    888
    300
    Essex
    Take pictures of sprockets & let's have a look. If rear wheel supported on paddock stand, that's no different to adjusting on side stand or wheel on floor. I have yet to come across a chain that is completely uniform in tension, so i agree adjust chain & measure freplay at its tightest point.
     
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  19. t552

    t552 Senior Member

    Nov 17, 2014
    415
    113
    Bristol UK
    20 mm is not enough. At least 30 for reasons in the vid.
     
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