well, I've got 18000Km (10000+miles) on the GS500 and every few trips the chain is horribly stretched and it really pisses me off :x can it allready be worn out? should I change it? it doesnt last for more than a week or so when I tight it up and its noisy a bit even after I oil it.. its tight on one end and loose on the other ( it looks like ).. any suggestions?
Are you rotating the chain and taking several measurements? Certain lengths can be stretched and some not. But... if you're concerned, wouldn't it make sense to pick up a new chain and be done with the problem? Better safe and not snap a worn out chain! Check sprockets too while you're at it.
Also, if your chain is constantly getting loose even after moving the wheel back, make sure your rear wheel isn't wiggling forward. Note where the alignment marks are on the swingarm. Might not have the axle torqued properly. :dunno:
Quote from: gs500fromnbI've got 18000Km (10000+miles) on the GS500 ... can [the chain] already be worn out?
Anything's possible, I guess. You didn't say how old the bike is, whether it's parked inside or outside, whether the chain has been lubed every 500-600 miles, etc.
My '99 came with a D.I.D. 520 VM (X-ring) chain. I replaced it at 23,000 miles with a slightly less expensive D.I.D. 520 VS (O-ring) chain. I expect the O-ring version to last almost as long ... maybe 18,000 miles? ... assuming that I keep it well-lubed and properly aligned.
And, "ditto" to what Turkina said.
I just had a similar experience with my '97 (10.5kmiles). I was in the garage peeling the decals. Gave her a good wash to remove the degreaser I used, and while I was drying I noticed that the chain had picked up some surface rust or grime and LOTS more slack in it than it than it had at the end of the '03 riding season :?
I washed it up with some penetrating oil and lubed it, just to be sure that everything was as it would be when I take the bike out this spring.. and it still has several inches of play in it. I didn't measure, but its noticeably more than last fall. What's up with THAT?
I've only ridden about 10 miles in the last two months... stupid Pennsylvania winters. Anyway, why the sudden slack? could it be time for a new chain? Something about sitting in the garage over winter that causes more slack in the chain?... 10kmiles seems short, but the bike is 7 years old, garage kept. When I bought it the chain was a grungy mess, though. Went through some serious WD-40 getting it back to good clean condition. best I can figure its the original chain.
jeez ... a valve out of shim, a new rear tire, and now this... my tax return is vaporizing before my eyes :roll:
yeah... its a 2003gs500... and original chain.... I rode it when the weather got cold so the lubing suffered big time... the lube would freeze up so I stopped putting it on and off I lubed it before I parked it tho... but I think ill just go to the dealer and buy a new one and have it placed when I get the tire changed so the tire will be alligned and they'll make sure that the chain is installed properly and swingarm ajusted properly.. its gonna be $$$ tho... good aftermarket im looking at ~150$.