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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: drduimstra on June 07, 2010, 02:32:57 PM

Title: Chain
Post by: drduimstra on June 07, 2010, 02:32:57 PM
My chain radomnly came loose. . . I was wondering if anyone else had that problem?
Title: Re: Chain
Post by: pandymai on June 07, 2010, 02:37:24 PM
what do you mean by "came loose"?
Title: Re: Chain
Post by: drduimstra on June 07, 2010, 02:54:40 PM
it was tight one day when I went riding and now its not
Title: Re: Chain
Post by: pandymai on June 07, 2010, 02:58:59 PM
chains wear out over time, adjust your chain to within spec to maintain the longest life. also make sure to clean and lube your chain too.

the chain's freeplay should be around an inch or so?
Title: Re: Chain
Post by: O.C.D. on June 07, 2010, 03:17:58 PM
old chain, new chain?!?!?!?!?
Title: Re: Chain
Post by: jeremy_nash on June 07, 2010, 03:48:42 PM
it's common for a chain that has been overtightened to be loose in some spots and tighter in others due to uneven stretching, meaning time to replace, if that is the case
Title: Re: Chain
Post by: burning1 on June 07, 2010, 04:10:26 PM
If your chain was actually 'tight,' a good ride is all that would be needed to ruin the chain, sprockets, and possibly your transmission.
Title: Re: Chain
Post by: ohgood on June 07, 2010, 04:54:17 PM
Quote from: drduimstra on June 07, 2010, 02:32:57 PM
My chain radomnly came loose. . . I was wondering if anyone else had that problem?

put it on the center stand, roll the rear wheel 1/2 a turn, drop it, check slack. repeat 10 times.

i'll bet your chain is shot. orrrrrr, your axle is loose, or both. :-)
Title: Re: Chain
Post by: gsJack on June 07, 2010, 05:58:24 PM
Chains don't actually stretch, they increase in length due to wear in the pins and bushings.  When a chain is tight in some spots and loose in others it's generally caused by kinking links. When the lube is gone the links tend to stick bent like they were going around the sprockets and make the chain tighter.

It's quite possible to adjust a kinky chain to proper freeplay and then have it loosen up with a good ride as the links free themselves.  Riding thru much salt water every winter I generally have a very kinky chain in the spring that seems too tight in spots.  I soak it with WD-40 spray and take a ride and it generally loosens up enough to be usable until I get a replacement chain and put it on.
Title: Re: Chain
Post by: drduimstra on June 07, 2010, 06:45:11 PM
Quote from: O.C.D. on June 07, 2010, 03:17:58 PM
old chain, new chain?!?!?!?!?

Its a new chain. I'll check it out tomorrow to see if I'm in need of a new chain