Loose chain, too loose?

dwelby101

Im riding a GSXR 750 k7 and the chain is quite slack, the bottom part of the chain can touch the underside of the swingarm when I tested it for slack, and i can hear a "ticking" sound when im riding. I know its not ideal but I cant get it to a garage for about 3 weeks (they're booked up)... Is it ok to ride still or should i just forget about it until i get it sorted at the garage and take the bus for now? I fckn hate the bus tho!

Wossack

something to be remedied alright - but shouldnt need a garage to do it for ya..!

LookBehindYou

dwelby101 wrote: »

Im riding a GSXR 750 k7 and the chain is quite slack, the bottom part of the chain can touch the underside of the swingarm when I tested it for slack, and i can hear a "ticking" sound when im riding. I know its not ideal but I cant get it to a garage for about 3 weeks (they're booked up)... Is it ok to ride still or should i just forget about it until i get it sorted at the garage and take the bus for now? I fckn hate the bus tho!

Get the chain looked at by someone who knows something about bikes.
The chain may have a tight spot, or the chain may be just slack too much.
Where are you located ?

Hotblack Desiato

Chain too loose, hopped off rear sprocket, then got jammed between wheel and swingarm, locking it :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBZWjwHgveY

minidazzler

It's really easy to tighten a chain yourself OP. I'd explain the process but the internet probably does a better job than I would.

If you are based anywhere around Cork City I'd give ya a hand.

cantdecide

I don't want to be the preachy one on the thread but honestly, you need to get to grips with chain maintenance. Not lubing, checking and adjusting your chain every time you ride (or very close to it) just leads to (probably far greater) expense, danger and hassle for you. You just need some basic hand tools.

dwelby101

I understand that the process is a simple one, loosen the axel nut and just evenly adjust the chain tightening nuts either side of the swingarm, problem is i've moved to germany and left my tools back home, Ive also in the last 2 months rode over 2000 kms so i need a few other bits done too, thats why i was gonna just wait, to be on the safer side. But theres a bit of slack beyond spec, 20 - 30 mm, and there is what i have, about 50mm of free play where it can just rub off the swingarm underside, my gut is just telling me to stay off it until i get it tightened but im just not sure

Wonda-Boy

Where are you located, lets get the chain sorted. Then take the piss outta of ya. ;)

Canis Lupus

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Where are you located, lets get the chain sorted. Then take the piss outta of ya. ;)

He's in Germany... Nice Sunday spin out to him :P

Del2005

dwelby101 wrote: »

I understand that the process is a simple one, loosen the axel nut and just evenly adjust the chain tightening nuts either side of the swingarm, problem is i've moved to germany and left my tools back home, Ive also in the last 2 months rode over 2000 kms so i need a few other bits done too, thats why i was gonna just wait, to be on the safer side. But theres a bit of slack beyond spec, 20 - 30 mm, and there is what i have, about 50mm of free play where it can just rub off the swingarm underside, my gut is just telling me to stay off it until i get it tightened but im just not sure

You've way to much slack in the chain and it can't be left a few weeks, hopefully the other few bits aren't as critical as this so can wait.

You understand what to do so get yourself to a local hardware store or motor factors and buy the 2 or 3 tools needed to save your self thousands of Euro in damage to the bike along with the potential injuries to you if it breaks and seizes up at the wrong place.

dwelby101

You hit the nail on the head, thats what i was thinking but i just needed to hear it from someone else! On the tool side would a torque wrench be really necessary or just max hand tighten?

Del2005

dwelby101 wrote: »

You hit the nail on the head, thats what i was thinking but i just needed to hear it from someone else! On the tool side would a torque wrench be really necessary or just max hand tighten?

A torque wrench would be helpful. You need to go more than hand tight, a good squeeze with a power bar is needed if you don't use a torque wrench.

aaakev

A middle of the road half inch ratchet set will cost you less than a ton, even less if you buy a really cheap one! If you really wanted to not spend a lot you could just buy 3 spanners!

deegs

dwelby101 wrote: »

I understand that the process is a simple one, loosen the axel nut and just evenly adjust the chain tightening nuts either side of the swingarm, problem is i've moved to germany and left my tools back home, Ive also in the last 2 months rode over 2000 kms so i need a few other bits done too, thats why i was gonna just wait, to be on the safer side. But theres a bit of slack beyond spec, 20 - 30 mm, and there is what i have, about 50mm of free play where it can just rub off the swingarm underside, my gut is just telling me to stay off it until i get it tightened but im just not sure

You measuring the slack when your full weight is on it? Maybe there is not as much as you think? Although the slap does sound like its too loose.

MonstaMash

arybvtcw0eolkf

At the risk of sounding like I'm riding a high horse, but I'm amazed and a little disturbed by the amount of people both here and who I meet IRL who have very, very limited knowledge of their (often very powerful) motorcycle and how to maintain it to even the most basic requirements ~ ie to stay safe on the roads and save themselves from serious injury or death.

OP look after that job ASAP please.. That clicking sound may be just a dry chain over the sprocket teeth (not a good thing) or a chain slipping over sprocket teeth (a very dangerous thing).

Ride safe man.

dwelby101

I hear ya Mak, I take good care of the bike and lube the chain quite regularly, at least once a month but last weekend i went on a 1400 km trip from west to east germany and back again, at speeds of 200+ km / h for long stretches, which im pretty sure made the chain go from "a bit of slack" to waay too much and its because of my attention to the details and regular checking that i started to notice a change , i reference the manual for pretty much everything and thats how i realised the chain was far from the recommended specs (just by lifting it was pretty obvious anyway). The problem i have is feeling that, since i have little experience with tinkering on bikes, ill mess things up and that im better off leaving it to the pros... this is the case for most issues (carbs on my old bike - gsx 400 impulse) but if i have the tools ill usually give it a go first at least to take a look (sorted a faulty rectifier/regulator on this bike already), this time tho the tools and stand are back home in ireland.
I need to change the oil, oil-filter, fuel-filter, coolant, bleed brakes and get a new chain and sprockets, so to save me the hassle (no tools, no place to work on it) ill just leave it to the pros. So not totally ignorant, just a bit lazy

CJhaughey

Hey Dwelby, you know in Germany tools are pretty cheap?
Have a look at the Louis.de website, you can pick up a basic set of maintenence tools for very little.

dwelby101

CJhaughey wrote: »

Hey Dwelby, you know in Germany tools are pretty cheap?
Have a look at the Louis.de website, you can pick up a basic set of maintenence tools for very little.

yeah theres a louis store round the corner from where im currently staying, thing is im only here for a few more months and dont need to be doubling up on tools and having to ship even more stuff home.

Pugzilla

I think it's mental that someone with a GSXR-750 doesn't know how to tighten a chain.

Have you been getting the garage to tighten your chain since you started riding?

serious3

Pugzilla wrote: »

I think it's mental that someone with a GSXR-750 doesn't know how to tighten a chain.

Have you been getting the garage to tighten your chain since you started riding?

i know a few lads like that, people are all different, some are mechanically minded, some aren't. one lad i know could work out the square root of a tin of beans but couldn't open them!:p

find another bike shop or at least ask around your new workmates for someone with tools you can use

arybvtcw0eolkf

serious3 wrote: »

i know a few lads like that, people are all different, some are mechanically minded, some aren't. one lad i know could work out the square root of a tin of beans but couldn't open them!

But come one, we're talking about the VERY basics here. I'm not taking a shot at the OP but it is a little crazy to think a Gixxer rider doesn't know these basics.

OP I'm really not taking a shot at you, promise.

Maybe a thread here on basic jobs, ie chains & sprockets, bulbs, tire pressures, oil/plugs/filter changes etc might be a good idea... An idea of what should be in a basic tool kit would be good too?.

Pugzilla

serious3 wrote: »

i know a few lads like that, people are all different, some are mechanically minded, some aren't. one lad i know could work out the square root of a tin of beans but couldn't open them!:p

The OP shouldn't even be on a bicycle if he can't tighten a chain FFS.

dwelby101

Pugzilla wrote: »

The OP shouldn't even be on a bicycle if he can't tighten a chain FFS.

Hey pug are you trolling for the sake of it or what, as i stated already, i know how to tighten the chain, think your just being a bit of a knob. Ive been riding the gsxr since christmas and it hasnt needed any chain tightening until now and now that i dont have the tools i need and need to get a good bit more stuff done im just gonna throw it to the garage.

Thanks for your completely useless input anyway:rolleyes:

Hotblack Desiato

If the bike didn't come with a tool kit, why not? Bad sign of the care the previous owner took of it. Same if the handbook is missing.

You may know how to tighten a chain, but that's no good if you don't realise the importance of doing it. Same thing with setting off on a long trip with no tools to tighten the chain.

blu3r0ri0n

dwelby101 wrote: »

Ive been riding the gsxr since christmas and it hasnt needed any chain tightening until now and now that i dont have the tools i need and need to get a good bit more stuff done im just gonna throw it to the garage.

All you need is a spanner or two, hardly a lot of tools that's going to make it difficult for you to bring it home on the bike, stick them under the seat, more than likely you will need them again soon if you are doing the mileage you say you are doing.

Are you sure you don't already have what you need in the tool bag that came with the bike, assuming that you did get a tool bag under the seat? Any bike I have owned came with a tool bag under the seat with everything you need to do basic maintenance such as chain adjustment.

It might seem like a hassle to you know, but when you are out in the middle of nowhere and your chain is loose again you will be thankful for it. Just get the tools you need and start learning

dwelby101

When I got the bike i didnt get a toolkit with it, i guess youre right tho, i should grab a few spanners for the chain when on the move.

Del2005

dwelby101 wrote: »

When I got the bike i didnt get a toolkit with it, i guess youre right tho, i should grab a few spanners for the chain when on the move.

While you're in Germany I'd pick up a cheap tool kit, there are plenty to choose from that will fit under the seat, as even when you get the chain done other issues could come up which will be a simple road side fix or a long wait for recovery.

Pugzilla

dwelby101 wrote: »

Hey pug are you trolling for the sake of it or what, as i stated already, i know how to tighten the chain, think your just being a bit of a knob. Ive been riding the gsxr since christmas and it hasnt needed any chain tightening until now and now that i dont have the tools i need and need to get a good bit more stuff done im just gonna throw it to the garage.

Thanks for your completely useless input anyway:rolleyes:

Maybe you should get a bike with a shaft drive if you're too lazy to do basic maintenance. Poor gixxer.

Wossack

Pugzilla wrote: »

Maybe you should get a bike with a shaft drive if you're too lazy to do basic maintenance. Poor gixxer.

Read the thread

Pugzilla

Wossack wrote: »

Read the thread

Read my post.

Lack of tools is no excuse for going 2000 km without any chain adjustment. You can get them for less than €30 in any decent hardware shop.

dwelby101

Thing is pug, it didnt actually need any adjustment during the trip, I done a check on everything each time i fueled up and everything seemed fine, i just started to nitice it sagging early this week and wanted to know if it might be ok to do short spins to and from work (5 km). <personal abuse deleted - warned>, youre right, a trip to louis is needed, for any more trips its a good idea to have a toolkit that can tighten the chain if needs be. You live and learn i guess, cant figure out everything at once.

batman_oh

Pugzilla wrote: »

Read my post.

Lack of tools is no excuse for going 2000 km without any chain adjustment. You can get them for less than €30 in any decent hardware shop.

I've always go over 2000km with no chain adjustment. Maybe I'm just buying good stuff :pac:
And yes I know how to check and adjust it and know exactly what it should be like before the inevitable comment.
But if there's something up it is foolish to just leave it and keep going - it's a pretty important thing and not something that should be left for the odd time when getting somebody else to service it

blu3r0ri0n

batman_oh wrote: »

I've always go over 2000km with no chain adjustment. Maybe I'm just buying good stuff :pac:

...and you probably keep your chain clean and lubed, you'd be surprised how much of a difference it makes!

I rarely have to adjust mine as well, I do a lot of miles but keep the chain clean and lubed.

Wonda-Boy

blu3r0ri0n wrote: »

...and you probably keep your chain clean and lubed, you'd be surprised how much of a difference it makes!

I rarely have to adjust mine as well, I do a lot of miles but keep the chain clean and lubed.

Same as others, I had my old FZ6 and had to adjust it once before I sold it and I covered over 25,000klms on it. I did stick a scottoiler on with a DUAL INJECTOR oiling both sides of the sprocket instead of one and it paid off.

On my current bike I have a single scottoiler and never adjusted the chain since I got it last summer. But I look after the chain alot too.

dwelby101

Just a quick update, got myself a torque wrench and 36mm sprocket today and done the deed... the chain is ready to be replaced anyway, it has some slack in parts and less in others, but it's all tightened up. I noticed while the axle nut was loose and while rotating the rear wheel that the break caliper is also loose, its a floating caliper and when the wheel rotates backwards the caliper rotates back about 1 - 1.5 inches and then rotates the same distance when the wheel is rolling forward... after some research i have found that this is normal for the bike, interesting none the less.

Hotblack Desiato

If the chain has tight spots these can sometimes be freed up with a couple of pliers and some oil, but really the chain will need replacing soon.

Make sure you have enough slack with the chain at its tightest spot. (if you then have too much at the loosest point, you need to replace the chain, but a little too loose is better than a little too tight.)

If the chain ever gets fully taut (like over a bump with too little slack) then it can snap, and it doesn't do the rear sprocket carrier and engine sprocket bearings any good at all either. Too loose and it risks hopping off and maybe seizing the back wheel, but it usually has to be really bad before it'll hop off.

Zascar

Dwelby warned for personal abuse - but my main advice is just go to a bloody bike shop and get it sorted!!

Lads, this comes up quite a bit - a novice rider has a problem – requests help, and there are always a few gasping with horror that they do not know how to fix the problem themselves. So what!!! Not everyone is born a natural mechanic. I only have pretty basic skills - I did do a motorbike maintenance course – but despite this I often chose to get it done by an expert just in case I make a mistake and make it worse.

It still gets under my skin a little, just cause you ride a bike you are expected to know x, y and z and how it works. Not everyone is that way inclined. Do Ferrari and Porsche drives do their own engine work? Unlikely... For example – computers are my thing. I can build computers from scratch – fixing problems and reinstalling an OS is an absolute walk in the park for me – and I can build websites from scratch or using platforms. This is stuff that most people would not have the slightest clue about, but I don’t slag them off cause they are using a computer or a website without knowing how it works. I’m generally happy to lend them a hand since I have some expertise they don’t.

Now, rant over – everyone play nice

Del2005

Zascar wrote: »

Dwelby warned for personal abuse - but my main advice is just go to a bloody bike shop and get it sorted!!

Lads, this comes up quite a bit - a novice rider has a problem – requests help, and there are always a few gasping with horror that they do not know how to fix the problem themselves. So what!!! Not everyone is born a natural mechanic. I only have pretty basic skills - I did do a motorbike maintenance course – but despite this I often chose to get it done by an expert just in case I make a mistake and make it worse.

It still gets under my skin a little, just cause you ride a bike you are expected to know x, y and z and how it works. Not everyone is that way inclined. Do Ferrari and Porsche drives do their own engine work? Unlikely... For example – computers are my thing. I can build computers from scratch – fixing problems and reinstalling an OS is an absolute walk in the park for me – and I can build websites from scratch or using platforms. This is stuff that most people would not have the slightest clue about, but I don’t slag them off cause they are using a computer or a website without knowing how it works. I’m generally happy to lend them a hand since I have some expertise they don’t.

Now, rant over – everyone play nice

The OP knew what to do.

cantdecide

Zascar wrote: »

It still gets under my skin a little, just cause you ride a bike you are expected to know x, y and z and how it works.

I don't want to be argumentative and it is better that people feel free to come to this forum or other and ask basic questions without getting a feed of abuse but the fact remains, motorcycles are much much more involved than other vehicles. The safety issues that arise from neglecting a motorcycle are infinitely more serious than a neglected car, say. I do think it's irresponsible to allow new motorcyclists (or any motorcyclist) to believe that you can ride for weeks or months without doing things such as checking tyres, chains, brakes, suspension etc etc.

Just to prove I'm not being holier-than-thou I'll tell you that just this week gone, I received a delivery of shock linkage bearings and seals since mine were completely fckued... this was the first time I'd ever checked the linkage of any bike I've owned... and the very same day someone was posting on RSVR.net about their rear suspension collapsing under himself and his missus due to a fractured dogbone due to seized bearings. I will admit to feeling like lubing the linkage up to that point was optional which is wrong, IMO.

Zascar

Fair point!

Bawnmore

Pearl Rhythmic Topping wrote: »

But come one, we're talking about the VERY basics here. I'm not taking a shot at the OP but it is a little crazy to think a Gixxer rider doesn't know these basics.

OP I'm really not taking a shot at you, promise.

Maybe a thread here on basic jobs, ie chains & sprockets, bulbs, tire pressures, oil/plugs/filter changes etc might be a good idea... An idea of what should be in a basic tool kit would be good too?.

All things on this thread aside, I think that'd be a great idea for a thread.

Zascar

Good idea, any volunteers?

dwelby101

Zascar wrote: »

Good idea, any volunteers?

well i can give a tutorial on how to tighten a chain

Wossack

think Ive a whole load of pdf's from one of the bike mags' website - they used to do a weekly maintenance article, with a lot of common things covered. Will try and dig up where I kept them

Wonda-Boy

Bawnmore wrote: »

All things on this thread aside, I think that'd be a great idea for a thread.

Yeah maybe, but a quick google/you tube would be just as fast as logging in here and searching for what you need.

Bawnmore

That's a fair point, but I was thinking more so along the lines of guidance of what you should be checking. Anything can definitely be found with a quick Google, but I'd be very interested in a thread with a list of regular/semi regular maintenance tasks and checks which need to be performed to make sure everything is where it should be.

Del2005

Bawnmore wrote: »

That's a fair point, but I was thinking more so along the lines of guidance of what you should be checking. Anything can definitely be found with a quick Google, but I'd be very interested in a thread with a list of regular/semi regular maintenance tasks and checks which need to be performed to make sure everything is where it should be.

Your bikes owners manual will have daily tasks listed somewhere.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Wonda-Boy wrote: »

Yeah maybe, but a quick google/you tube would be just as fast as logging in here and searching for what you need.

Describes 90% of threads in this and most other discussion forum.