chain

So whats the deal with the chain tension? Im getting advice to run it tighter than the manual says, what the manual says, and looser than what the manual says. Im just paranoid about it eating through that chain slider and screwing up my swingarm. For now I will just keep checking the wear on it as much as possible. How many miles are yall getting out of the chain slider before switching it out? I dont see that Dennis Kirk sells the sliders. I guess I will have to get it from the dealer. Any thoughts on that?

I've got over 12k on mine, no problems. I usually check my chain tension so there's like an inch gap showing when I pull up on the chain above the swingarm, right before the chain guard.

Great timing, thanks!

Just threw on a 12 tooth countershaft sprocket, and when I read the Yamaha manual, I noticed they used the word slack, in a context that really meant clearance, and it made me wonder what else they were confused about.

Thanks for the info SheWolf.

Just to clarify, this measurement is done when the bike is on the side stand, correct? Or when its on a Center stand and the wheel is off the ground?

I ask because my chain maybe a little tight...

After riding about 5mi (after tighting it) I started to notice some noise which sounds like its near the front sprocket. Sounds like the chain is vibrating and bouncing on something as I ride down the road. Sound stops as the bike stops. Speed doesn't see to affect it much. I also noticed the bottom of the chain links appear to be Polished up, like the are rubbing on something. The polishing is both on the bottom of the chain, and the bottom of the side plates about 1/16 to 1/8 of the higth of the chain.

Any other help would be awesome.

Maitias wrote:

Thanks for the info SheWolf.

Just to clarify, this measurement is done when the bike is on the side stand, correct? Or when its on a Center stand and the wheel is off the ground?

I ask because my chain maybe a little tight...

After riding about 5mi (after tighting it) I started to notice some noise which sounds like its near the front sprocket. Sounds like the chain is vibrating and bouncing on something as I ride down the road. Sound stops as the bike stops. Speed doesn't see to affect it much. I also noticed the bottom of the chain links appear to be Polished up, like the are rubbing on something. The polishing is both on the bottom of the chain, and the bottom of the side plates about 1/16 to 1/8 of the higth of the chain.

Any other help would be awesome.

that noise is the chain ridding the chain guard on the swing arm and is ok, thats what its there for.

Thanks for the info. I just seemed odd because I hadn't heard that sound before. But then again, there is only about 2k miles on the bike. Maybe its just breaking in?

Or is it possible, would there be this noise if I tightened the chain too tight?

Click here please. <--right here

Thanks motokid, I've read the Chain Adjustment thread and i'm aware of the TSB. But unfortunately I don't have a way of telling what "36lbs" of force on the chain is. :)

Hence I was asking about SheWolf's method of checking the chain.

Push up with finger in middle of chain towards swing arm.
If you touch swing arm with chain....too loose.
If you lift rear wheel off ground before chain moves....too tight.

That helps some, but to be honest, I'm not sure what you mean by

"If you lift rear wheel off ground before chain moves....too tight."

and I know the chain doesn't touch the swing arm when pushing up in the middle. It's about 1/2" from the swing arm when I push up on the chain before having to apply what feels like too much force.

Maitias wrote:

That helps some, but to be honest, I'm not sure what you mean by

"If you lift rear wheel off ground before chain moves....too tight."

and I know the chain doesn't touch the swing arm when pushing up in the middle. It's about 1/2" from the swing arm when I push up on the chain before having to apply what feels like too much force.

1/2 inch sounds right. Yamaha says 8-13mm.

Ride that sucker like you stole it.

Thanks for your confidence. Hopefully it's nothing and the chain probably could use some lube too.

Maitias wrote:

Thanks for the info SheWolf.

Just to clarify, this measurement is done when the bike is on the side stand, correct? Or when its on a Center stand and the wheel is off the ground?

I ask because my chain maybe a little tight...

After riding about 5mi (after tighting it) I started to notice some noise which sounds like its near the front sprocket. Sounds like the chain is vibrating and bouncing on something as I ride down the road. Sound stops as the bike stops. Speed doesn't see to affect it much. I also noticed the bottom of the chain links appear to be Polished up, like the are rubbing on something. The polishing is both on the bottom of the chain, and the bottom of the side plates about 1/16 to 1/8 of the higth of the chain.

Any other help would be awesome.

Side stand.

Since there is no center stand on the bike I'd guess they want a side stand measurement.

Have you checked your sprockets?

Removed the cover over the countershaft and inspected both front and rear sprocket?

I wouldn't think you should be hearing chain slap at all.

I also would not think a "too tight" chain would slap anything.
That's more of a too loose condition thing I'd think.

Go with the Yamaha recommended slack - using the tried and true finger test - and ride the thing.

Maitias,

Do a quick check just to make sure things are OK. Take off the front sprocket cover and use a flashlight so you can get a good look at the chain slider and swingarm. In my case polished links meant I had deep grooves in the slider; it was completely gone on the bottom at the front and my chain had just begun to hit my swingarm. Post back and let us know how it goes.

Sarah

Thanks for the suggestion Sarah.

Yesterday evening, I did remove the cover and checked everything out. While there was some wear, it was expected and not wore out.

Here is what I discovered... The chain was really dry. This winter, I rode often in Wet Weather, and now that the weather is drying out, most of my lube has worn off of the chain. So I re-lubed the chain with a Wax based lube. While moving the bike to do a test ride, I heard a "chirp / squeak" sound from the front tire. And the moving it, fell a little sluggish.

So, I figured I should check the air in the tires, the Rear time was about 28lbs, but the front tire... wait for it... 4lbs. Thats a little of a problem.

After inflating the front tire to specs, and lubing the chain, my ride this morning was un-eventful. No sounds from the bike. Hopefully these were my troubles. :)

I'm thinking there is a slow leak in the front tire, so I'll need to keep an eye on that and maybe replace the tube here soon.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Glad all is OK. You might check to make sure the valve stem in that front tire is good and tight.

Sarah