Hey I was just wondering how often and what mile intervals all of you adjust your chain. I adjust my chain at about 800 miles. Now my bike has almost 1200 miles and it seems like in 100-200 more I'm gonna need to adjust it again. What's up with that? Is this normal or is it because it's a new bike and the chain is still stretching out?

I think the correct answer is: "When it needs to be adjusted."

Check it all the time.  If it's too loose, tighten it.  Don't overtighten it...before you do anything, spin the rear wheel around to figure out if/where it has a tightest spot and work from there.

In my experience, you need to adjust the chain more in the beginning. I just check the slack whenever I lube (every 500-700 miles).

I had the same question a little while ago:
http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21832&highlight=

The chain stretches more depending how much torque your using.  If your gassing it hard the chain stretches faster... i was adjusting mine every ~200 miles for the first 800-900 miles.  now that i have just over 1k on it, i havent needed to adjust it in a while.

I clean my chain every 600 miles (or as close as possible) as recommended by the manufacturer.  At that time I check the slack, usually tighten it just a bit, and check wheel alignment. :mrgreen:

It is my thought that chains don't really stretch, they wear, which causes the overall length to elongate. If the links actually stretched they would be unsafe since the elastic limit would quickly be reached resulting in failures and a multitude of suits against the manufacturers.

You're supposed to adjust those things?...just kidding.
When I put my new chain and sprockets on last summer I had to adjust quite often.  I adjusted it two or three times in a month.  This year, however, the last time I adjusted it was in June or July, and it's been good for 6-800 miles easily since then.

Jake

Quote from: John BatesI clean my chain every 600 miles (or as close as possible) as recommended by the manufacturer.  At that time I check the slack, usually tighten it just a bit, and check wheel alignment. :mrgreen:

It is my thought that chains don't really stretch, they wear, which causes the overall length to elongate. If the links actually stretched they would be unsafe since the elastic limit would quickly be reached resulting in failures and a multitude of suits against the manufacturers.

+1.  Check every time you clean the chain.  Chain wear is what makes it slack -- lubricate and it'll last 'til the sprockets give out.  

+1. I clean and lube my chain every 600 miles or so and check the slack then. If there is too much, I just go ahead and adjust it but it is usually good. I have around 8500 on the bike right now, and I think I've had to adjust my chain either 2 or 3 times, I don't remember.

I think it is so variable that you can't really go by "x" miles or "x" months. You just gotta check it and see if it needs it and act accordingly  

Quote from: BadgerI think the correct answer is: "When it needs to be adjusted."

Alright, thanks for all the pointers you guys. This site kicks ass!!