I just tightened my chain for my first time and probably my GS' ('00, 5200 miles).  What would the symptoms of over-tightening and/or not realigning perfectly be?  I did visually align it as best I could and check, in several places along the chain's length, to make sure it was within 0.8-1.2" of slack when down on the side stand.

I've noticed that it might make slightly more of a "buzzing" sound at highway speeds and also that chain rebound has been reduced, especially when downshifting.  The chain was just warm, but certainly not hot, after a 20 minute ride of mostly slow, in-town driving, with a few episodes of 50-55mph speeds.

thanks...

Tightening chain... 1 inch minimum play, and 1.5 inch max... measure at various points on the chain... since they stretch unevenly. Anyway the chain will make a grinding noise... a good tight grinding type noise if too tight... cant miss it.
Cool.
Srinath.

Yeh it'll sound kinda like there's gravel in the drive-train of the bike. Definitely not good. Love that baby bike, love this forum.

C.......

As mentioned pay close attention to the WHOLE chain.  I tightened mine and had this mythodical hum, hum, hum, hum, hum thing going on.  I went home and checked the chain slack which was fine on one part of the chain and DIDN'T EVEN MOVE on another part of the chain - bad news!  I quickly readjusted the chain at the point with the least slack to make sure I would be okay.  

Oh there is another grinding noise you can hear, it's the chain scraping over the center stand.  That means your chain is loose, veeeeerrrrry loose!  

I have receintly adjusted the chain and am getting this gravel noise occasionally.  It seems to happen only when I ride two-up, would this make sence?  Does the suspension change with passinger enough to make the chain tighter?

Thanks

Quote from: Freeze05 on August 14, 2006, 09:14:27 AMDoes the suspension change with passinger enough to make the chain tighter?

Yes...  Especially if you forgot to put the "No Fat Chicks" sticker on the back seat...  J/K 

But, it could be other things rubbing as well...  Center-stand?  Something came loose?  Bad front sprocket?

Quote from: RVertigo on August 14, 2006, 01:46:22 PM

Quote from: Freeze05 on August 14, 2006, 09:14:27 AMDoes the suspension change with passinger enough to make the chain tighter?

Yes...  Especially if you forgot to put the "No Fat Chicks" sticker on the back seat...  J/K 

Who's kidding? I like FC's in the bedroom, not on the back on my tiny GS!!    

Quote from: ttsquirrel on August 14, 2006, 01:59:32 PMWho's kidding? I like FC's in the bedroom, not on the back on my tiny GS!!    

Das why I like short chicks...  'cause it don't take much to "round 'em out." 

Thanks - but I'm a fairly skinny chick and he is 6' and average build.

I'll check on other things that could be rubbing.

So, the dude is on the back?  6' Average would be about... What...  170?

That's pretty heavy for the back if you ask me...


Try this...  Get two people of similar weight to sit 2up on the GS and see what kind of play you have in the chain...  There should be some play.  If it's super stiff, it's probably too tight.

You might also be able to see if something is rubbing.

its all this newfangled rap music influencing the youth of today!
The lyrics of this "gangster rap" are constantly encouraging our youth to be "off the chain"

Its dangerous and irrosponsible, i tell you.

Another 2 year old post brought back from the grave.   

Quote from: Recreational_Anxiety on August 15, 2006, 09:08:32 PM
Another 2 year old post brought back from the grave.   

Yes, the beauty of the search function!

He is 180 lbs.  I guess it's time to teach him how to drive......  Darn, having control is nice!

Well, if it IS his weight on the back causing the chain to become too tight, you have a couple options.

1)  Loosen the chain.
2)  Turn the shock pre-load up higher (or get a Katana 600 shock)
3)  Get a "No Fat Dudes" sticker and put it on the rear seat.
4)  Start putting laxatives in his food until he looses about 20 Lbs. 

I have been planning on option #2 for a while, guess it is time.

Thanks for the input everyone!

If the chain is tightened withing spec (20 to 30 mm) it will not go completely taut, no matter how far you compress the rear shock.

It is tightest when front sprocket, swingarm bearing and back sprocket are in one line. The tightening specification is designed such that there is still some free play remaining then.