Chain wearing into rubber guide

In the spring I put new tires on my bike and had to adjust the chain tension once the wheels were back on... I set the chain tension within specs even though it feels a bit on the tight side.

I just noticed today I am eating into the rubber guard on the swing arm.

Should I just tighten it up more?

NO.


That chain guard - or slider - or seal - is supposed to do exactly what it's doing.

You're fine. I got 10,000 miles out of mine before I needed to change it.
clicky here <-- clicky


Just keep an eye on it. Especially the bottom part.

do a search here on "chain slider".

Plenty of pictures.

That part is a wear item just like brake pads.

Making your chain too tight will cause more wear - not less.

Well before I changed my tire and the chain was at stock adjustment there was zero wear... since changing it it is almost worn through with only about 300km's...

So I should loosen the chain?

I take a quick look at mine every time I clean my bike by just removing the sprocket cover. on top of that I remove it twice a year to get a good look at it.

after plenty of posts here I think that the slider will wear out faster if you change your gearing and/or if your chain isn't adjust properly. Mine with stock gearing is still healthily thick after 12,000 miles. Looks like it will go at least to 20k if it continues like this before I will have to change it just for peace of mind.


Just keep an eye out for it and you'll be fine. it's supposed to wear out!


Edit: 300km is not a lot. did you also change your gearing when you changed the tires? are you sure the chain is at the proper tension? measuring from the correct spot? definitely seems like a something is wrong if it has worn this much after only 300 km...

shep546 wrote:

Well before I changed my tire and the chain was at stock adjustment there was zero wear... since changing it it is almost worn through with only about 300km's...

So I should loosen the chain?

How are you adjusting/setting your chain tension?

Pushing up on it from under the swing arm?

motokid wrote:

shep546 wrote:

Well before I changed my tire and the chain was at stock adjustment there was zero wear... since changing it it is almost worn through with only about 300km's...

So I should loosen the chain?

How are you adjusting/setting your chain tension?

Pushing up on it from under the swing arm?

Yeah

You getting to within a half inch to a quarter inch to chain touching swing arm when you do that?

motokid wrote:

You getting to within a half inch to a quarter inch to chain touching swing arm when you do that?

Yep, maybe even a bit looser... I think I'll make a quick video later you guys can look at see if my tension seems okay.

Stock gearing? Lowering link?

Is your chain guide clear of obstruction? Jager had a rock get stuck in his chain guide which caused chain to munch into his swing arm.

Only one bolt holds the chain guard in place.

You can remove that bolt and wiggle the swing arm protector out and really take a good look at it if you want piece of mind.

They are supposed to wear and have grooves in them over time.

Over 20K miles and mine was beyond worn out. Should have replaced sooner but swing arm wear on lower side of pivot not real significant.