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Chain very slack after only 150 miles


Guest danprhayes
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I tightened my chain up just right and then less than 150 miles later its as slack as it can get. What do you reckon is the cause of that? I tightened up axle bolt nice with cotter pin that hasnt moved and swingarm tight so dont understand.


It probably needs a clean cos of all the crap on the road but that is gonna take me ages to do that. I lube it regular like.


On the swingarm marks it is on the second notch away from the rear (on each side) out of about 6 notches so I can see I will need another chain at some point soon.


Rear sprockets at least look alright I reckon.


Any ideas? Its an easy enough job but cotter pins are 70p a go and I am always paranoid about wheel alignment so mess around for ages.

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10,000 miles and 10 years old but 6,000 of those miles done in the last 8 months.


Getting on a bit perhaps? I expect it ages at a quicker rate, the older it gets?


Spray lubes come out too fast damn them.

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definitely due a new chain, they reckon one can last 14k but this would be in ideal conditions not on our salt laden roads, personally I'd be delighted to get 10k from a chain. I suspect the reason it seems slack is that it has developed a tight spot and you tightened things back up at this point, therefore when you stopped the bike with the chain in a different position it is slack.


Remember to change your sprockets at the same time as your chain.

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If its worn that quick then its defo new chain time as the pins will be wearing out quickly.


Have a shop around for chains, I like DID and always get great life out of even the cheaper X or O ring DID (not the gold ones).

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Invest in a Scottoiler too - chain on my Blackbird lasted 40,000 miles and even then I only changed it due to age - had wear left in it.


I would also change the cush drive as the ZZR600 is reknowned for wearing them out

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Does anyone know why if I spin the back wheel when on center stand the chain moves quite freely, but when i am sat on it with the engine off and move the bike the chain seems to rub and clonk. Is it because the swingarm has moved (with me sat on it) and its putting extra pressure on the chain?


Whats with the gold chains anyway - I thought those were for wearing around the neck? seriously though anyone?

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well that quiet rite mate . it should have play in it when setting it so the slack gets taken up when loaded . take the cover off over your front sprocket . Not only to inspect the sprocket , but to look for a tight kink when it goes around the sprocket . watch for the chain lifting off the teeth as you turn the chain over the sprocket .

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thanks for your comments all.


Ok so I have removed the front sprocket cover after removing the 4 bolts, with one of the bolts securing the carburettor warming hose and then I managed to wiggle it away from the bike without needing to remove the gear shift (good job cos I couldnt slide the shifter off despite removing the pinch bolt anyway!)


So now I am trying to figure out where the soft link is and the chain is so messy all the links look the same to me so I might just have to break the chain. I thought I might clean it and if ok use again but I am sure its buggered anyway.


Anyway what I was asking for is does anyone know how I can identify the soft link (with perhaps images as examples - chuckle) OR perhaps you might know if the OEM chain fitted to my bike might actually be endless?


I know you all have better things to do than assist me - like ride your bike, have fun with the ladies and beer drinking but all comments are mucho appreciated!

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Take the back wheel off and drop the chain into a cleaning tray . clean it ,and go over it link by link . If you have tight spots on it . Best replace it . not many bikes are fitted with a split link thies days so unless you have the tools to split the old chain and the skill to put a new endless chain on dont start the job . K .

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