New chain but too tight

purplepeopleeater · May 13, 2009, 01:33:20 PM

Hi all, just had a new 520 chain put on and rode away from the garage with lots of noise from the front sprocket. Got home, had a look and the chain has about 10mm free play whilst the back wheel can't be adjusted forwards any more. Can anyone say what the standard size front sprocket is, as i want to check it's the right size. Don't really want to spend more money so thinking of running for a couple of hundred miles until the chain stretches hopefully.
Cheers

joshr08 · May 13, 2009, 01:35:21 PM

16/39 stock and 110 link chain

purplepeopleeater · May 13, 2009, 01:43:40 PM

Thanks josh, i shall investigate a solution to the problem tomorrow.

joshr08 · May 13, 2009, 01:46:48 PM

np

scottpA_GS · May 13, 2009, 03:09:08 PM

If you had it done by someone, take it back and tell them to do it right

ojstinson · May 13, 2009, 05:54:56 PM

A chain that's too tight can raise hell with your countershaft bearing an seal, I wouldn't ride it any more than you have to.

sblack · May 13, 2009, 06:56:13 PM

Quote from: scottpA_GS on May 13, 2009, 03:09:08 PM

If you had it done by someone, take it back and tell them to do it right

I agree, you shouldn't be paying for something done wrong. Check how many links on the chain, if it's tight with the wheel as far forward as it'll go you might find it only has 108 links instead of 110, in which case get them to put a new one on with the correct 110 links

purplepeopleeater · May 13, 2009, 11:38:21 PM

Thanks for all info guys, know where i stand - and today is the day of reckoning as i found the chain has 108 links. I know the shop won't replace it but i'll have a go, otherwise i'm looking at more cash to go elsewhere. Bloody raining outside too

utgunslinger13 · May 14, 2009, 08:51:27 AM

The shop 100% better replace it. They made an error and they have a responsibility to fix it.

purplepeopleeater · May 14, 2009, 01:22:32 PM

Result today, garage will replace with new chain after i hung around and had em check the number of links. Told it came out of a box which said 110 links, but obviously only had 108.
To confuse matters, a local parts shop reckon a 99 Gs should have 112 links, according to their order book,it changed to 110 in the same year.
Anyway, i'm a happy chap, cheers all

utgunslinger13 · May 14, 2009, 01:59:36 PM

Good! I'm glad you were able to work it out. Worries me that the mechanic let the bike out with the chain 2 links short. Seems he should have caught that. Besides, why you having someone else install a chain? Save yourself some money and do it yourself!

fred · May 14, 2009, 03:10:26 PM

Quote from: utgunslinger13 on May 14, 2009, 01:59:36 PM
Good! I'm glad you were able to work it out. Worries me that the mechanic let the bike out with the chain 2 links short. Seems he should have caught that. Besides, why you having someone else install a chain? Save yourself some money and do it yourself!

Yeah, seems like you shouldn't go to that mechanic again. If they installed a chain that was way way too tight and just shrugged their shoulders and figured it'd be OK, they are seriously incompetent. If you've had that shop do other work on your bike, I'd give that a look too. The same guy who didn't think a 2 link difference was important might also have not thought that a whole host of other important tolerances and torques were important either. That is a pretty scary story, how did they not figure that out when they went to set the chain tension? Were they having a special on countershaft bearings and seals?

scottpA_GS · May 14, 2009, 03:26:57 PM

Most chains we sell have to be cut. My D.I.D. for my GS needed cut to 110 from like 120.

Glad you took it back there and had them correct their mistake. Not only did you get your problem fixed, you may have saved the next guy by teaching the mechanic a lesson

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New chain but too tight