Chain

[Guest]

Got a slight problem with me chain hoping you guys and gals can help. I tightened the chain on friday last week as it was slack and it came off the rear sprocket. Now bike felt jerky when upshifting last night so checked the chain again and its slack, when i say slack i mean slack. Does anybody know what could be causing this as its worrying with the amount of miles i go to work, would it be best to just replace the chain? OH chain was put on for mot last sept and has covered approx 3000 miles

[Guest]

Did you lube it up as well? How often do you lube it? When was the last time you checked it if it came off the rear sprocket???

I'd suggest you get someone to show you in person how to adjust the chain correctly and show you how to lube it properly. I'd imagine you have wrecked the chain and sprockets if you let it get that dangerous!

I wouldn't ride the bike until you have had someone with some mechanical know how have a look and make the bike safe.

[handyandy24]

Im having a similar problem with my chain. I recently bought the bike and prev owner didnt know about the chain and sprockets. Every time I tighten it up it rides fine for 30 minutes then can hear it catching the guard, have a look when i get off and its gone slacker. Its not coming off the sprockets at all but I think it just needs replacing. Gona get the last usage out of it this weekend.

Is that generally what happens when your chain cant be adjusted anymore? just jeeps going slack real quick?

[Guest]

i do check the chain every week and i also lube it and the sprocket every week. Sunday is my normal day as its my only day off work. My question was what could cause it to suddenly go slack after its been adjusted. Just so you know you ignorant little man i also check the clutch freeplay and the rear brake free play (as its affected by the rear wheel adjustment). I didnt ask for someone to comment on the way that i look after my bike. Just because its a 125 does not mean i have no experience riding, just for the record i have been riding continuasly for over 10 years, just never ran into this problem before.

[Guest]

Knowing Pete I believe that he was only trying to give good advice and was unaware of your knowledge base, making your 'ignorant little man' comment a little uncalled for.

[Guest]

I didn't mean any offense and apologise for any taken so soz for my wording appearing that way.

There is no way imo that a chain that has been correctly adjusted and maintained should be failing after only 3000miles especially on a 125! so if you are sure of the above being correct you must get on to the company that supplied the chain and get them to replace it under warranty as it is substandard and not fit for the job. They may have had a batch error and a possible recall if its a known fault?

If the wheel isn't moving forward to cause the chain to go slack then the chain is stretching incredibly badly and is probably well beyond usefulness.

How many miles do you do a week?

My 1050cc Speedtriple would only need its chain adjusting a tiny amount every 1 or 2 weeks and that lasted over 15,000 miles, so a 125cc with 15bhp even tho its fitted with a skinnier chain (so therefore weaker) should last the same if not longer.

Anyway, again I apologise for offending with my previous post

[Guest]

i do check the chain every week and i also lube it and the sprocket every week. Sunday is my normal day as its my only day off work. My question was what could cause it to suddenly go slack after its been adjusted. Just so you know you ignorant little man i also check the clutch freeplay and the rear brake free play (as its affected by the rear wheel adjustment). I didnt ask for someone to comment on the way that i look after my bike. Just because its a 125 does not mean i have no experience riding, just for the record i have been riding continuasly for over 10 years, just never ran into this problem before.

 

im going to ignore the above response as it is not aimed at me so i will add my question to gain a little insight to what may be the underlying cause as you would with any fault finding process to eliminate unnessecary searching/queries

when the chain was changed were the sprockets changed at the same tim e?

Was it a new chain ?

It could be a worn chain but after 3000 miles i would be having doubts about other factors leading up to the wear ..

Chain adjusters not locked off resulting in it adjusting itself

Spindle nut come loose and adjusters backed off

Rubber cush behind rear sprocket worn ?( if fitted to this bike)

and as mentioned Maintainance (sp) issues

changed my mind you will generally find most people are willing to offer help and advice even if it is not the cure but when others see a response as above next time they may not bother

[rollazuki]

If its been run so slack its jumped the sprocket, then Id say its had it!

make sure the chain adjusters are ok, no stripped threads etc, and fit a new chain and sprocket kit. Before it snaps and damages you or the engine casing.

Oh yeah, for someone who claims to check , adjust, and lube every Sunday, then how did it get so worn it jumped off?????

Keep an eye on it, itll last ages when maintained. Dont forget to clean it from time to time eh.

[Guest]

a quick question to you all, sort of on topic (ish) Is it true that WD40 wrecks the seals on chains if you use it to clean the chain?

I normally only use chain cleaner or parrafin but have used WD40 when I've run out occasionally.

[rollazuki]

Ive used it for years and had no problems. As far as Im aware, WD is rubber friendly, but I may be wrong. I usually spray some on all over the chain, then wipe residue off with a rag.

Ive never had any issues, but I cant guarantee it. My Regina chain on my old Nitro'd bandit did approx 25k plus miles(never did have an accurate odometer) and was on over 3 years. Including run what ya brung drag racing and road riding.

I still do it, and dont aim to stop. After all, what the heck is in the chain lube that sprays on a thin liquid, then evaporates to leave grease/wax/teflon or whatever. Some kinda solvent? cant see wd40 being worse for it.

[rollazuki]

WD-40 can be used on just about everything. It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic. WD-40 can be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40

 

straight from wd40's own webpage.

told ya

[Stu]

WD-40 can be used on just about everything. It is safe for metal, rubber, wood and plastic. WD-40 can be applied to painted metal surfaces without harming the paint. Polycarbonate and clear polystyrene plastic are among the few surfaces on which to avoid using a petroleum-based product like WD-40

 

straight from wd40's own webpage.

told ya

 

note the just about bit

it can perish some rubbers not many mind but i think one of them is that used in chains

[rollazuki]

OK, Ive emailed wd40, Ill post their reply!!

[Stu]

excellent

hopefully we will get a good response and a answer

[Guest]

saw something that said the aerosol version is the nasty one with the addivite that affects the rubber whilst the applicator version is safe for this use

will see if i can refind the link .....

bbl

nah cant find it ........but how could their be any difference in contents apart from the propellant

[Bill_on_a_bike]

I didn't know there was WD-40 NOT in a spray can!

But i'd imagine they add something to stop it clogging up the pipe or something.

[Guest]

I didn't know there was WD-40 NOT in a spray can!

But i'd imagine they add something to stop it clogging up the pipe or something.

 

you get it as a liquid and use it with http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/s ... sn/W%2FDSA

[Bill_on_a_bike]

Check this out, http://www.wd40.com/products/one-gallon/

[Guest]

cool, look forward to seein WD40's response to the email!

[cyberwolf]

wd40 can rot some rubbers i know that from when i use to work for smurfit, but iv always use wd40 for cleaning the bike but not on the chain and never had a prob with it but i think it would take years of everyday use of wd40 to rot the rubber in your chain as you would be putting new chain oil on the chain which would help with protection from wd40 and chain oil is not the easyest stuff to wash away even with wd40

[Guest]

After reading this thread it got me thinking as I use Jizer to clean my chain,anyway I emailed Deb the makers and got this reply back today,so by the sound of it anything containing solvents isnt good for the O rings unless cleaned off after using

 

Good Morning Gary,

In answer to your question regarding the use of Jizer on your motor bike chain, there are some concerns as Jizer may cause some natural rubbers to swell due to the solvent content within the product, however if the product is wiped off after use or rinsed this should not cause a problem.

Most motor cycles are now fitted with synthetic rubbers which do not cause any issues,

Hope this helps to answer your concerns

Regards

[Guest]

so with a modern chain there is no need to worry bout the rubber coz they are synthetic?

Cool saves me worrying bout doing more harm than good cleaning me chain!

[rollazuki]

Reply from the horses mouth is as follows:

 

Thank you for contacting the WD-40 Company with regards to using WD-40 on o-rings. WD-40 is a multi-purpose light lubricating oil, which will displace water and moisture from the chain. The "WD" stands for water displacement and acts as a rust preventative on any metal surface. WD-40 will not dry out the rubber o-rings. We have found no visible effects on the surface of rubber and o-rings. Certain types of rubber will swell under prolonged immersion in WD-40 (this refers to long soaking and not just a spray).

WD-40 is also a cleaner, which will remove grime, dirt, tape, bumper stickers and oil. It is possible that if there is a special lubricant in the o-rings, WD-40 could act as a cleaner and remove that oil. The special lubricant would be replaced with WD-40. We are sure there are superior heavy-duty chain lubes on the market. There are several people who recommend using WD-40 on their chains. Perhaps some experimenting with WD-40, as a water remover and rust preventative followed by a heavier chain lube would fit your needs. The bottom line is WD-40 will not harm your o-rings, but it could remove a lubricant that was previously applied to the chain.

 

So as long as the chain is lubed using generic chain lube type stuff, all appears to be good.

There ya go folks, the power of the internet and email!!

[Guest]

sweet, cheers guys!

Well that also eliminates that from cause of premature chain ware in the original post too!

[flipper]

After reading this thread it got me thinking as I use Jizer to clean my chain,anyway I emailed Deb the makers and got this reply back today,so by the sound of it anything containing solvents isnt good for the O rings unless cleaned off after using

 

Good Morning Gary,

In answer to your question regarding the use of Jizer on your motor bike chain, there are some concerns as Jizer may cause some natural rubbers to swell due to the solvent content within the product, however if the product is wiped off after use or rinsed this should not cause a problem.

Most motor cycles are now fitted with synthetic rubbers which do not cause any issues,

Hope this helps to answer your concerns

Regards

 

I once got Jizer on a tyre - it started to attack the rubber pretty quickly. I wouldn't get it anywhere near my chain.