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Chain Tension Question

m in sc

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2021
Messages
2,434
Location
Rockhill, SC
its just now adjusted correctly in the tension, so takes the jerkiness out of of the engagement. that's it plain and simple. the chain itself makes zero difference performance wise. in all honesty, race bikes will typically run them a bit loose. .02
 

eastema

Active member
Joined
May 17, 2022
Messages
138
Location
Southern NH
With a properly aligned wheel and properly tensioned chain, there will be less "lag" from throttle input to power at the rear wheel. So keeping up the balance is a quicker reaction time, so things dont get out of sorts faster than you can react and recover. I do lock to lock figure eights about every other time I ride. I learned from watching the cop training and rodeos, ( they ride full dress harleys ) that dragging the rear brake steadily ( just a little pressure ) will let you now just concentrate on throttle input. Throttle input will lift the bike from leaning into the turn. Now because you are dragging the rear brake, as soon as you let off the throttle, the brake drag naturally pulls the lean of the bike back into the turn. You can find a nice balance of just pulsing the throttle to keep you upright in a full lock turn.
 

AZ7000'

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 28, 2021
Messages
957
Fine line, tight enough to take out all slack and hesitation wears out out countershaft seals and other components.
Some like slack in the throttle, some don’t. Personal preference for both.
 

SneakyDingo

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 6, 2021
Messages
1,560
Yup, as others have pointed out by adjusting your bike you've removed all the unpredictability for when things will occur and will allow you finer control. That's why I won't hesitate to do things like the auto clutch adjustment and the chain tension - especially the chain tension, probably more than anything else that affects my ability to easily do slow speed maneuver.
 

ROGER4314

Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2023
Messages
19
Be aware that the front and rear sprockets are seldom running true and they are not concentric. Also, the sprockets wear unevenly. I rotate the chain assembly until I find the tightest place in the chain/sprocket rotation. I set the actual chain tension at the tightest place. To do otherwise, will increase chain stretch and sprocket wear.

Check the front sprocket regularly. With any sign of wear or hooked shaped teeth, get rid of it!

On the rear sprocket, pull the chain away from the sprocket at the rear of the sprocket. It will illustrate the amount of chain stretch without removing the chain.

Flash
 

TrailSnot

Active member
Joined
May 16, 2023
Messages
101
as long as you keep it oiled and clean, the chain will last longer than you might think. i kept one on my 99 sv for 33k miles and i was pretty ruthless on that bike, but always kept the chain clean and serviced. Running it dry, or in dirty situations, or rust for those that leave them outside is the worst you can do to them, but it happens. Just check it every few hundred miles, see where its at. stretch depends on usage and riding style and environment. you'll eventually figure out how many miles it takes to get out of adjustment on YOUR bike. for me, its its over 1/2" total out, i adjust.
My '02 SV chain lasted FOREVER! Honest to God I only ever cleaned it with WD and made sure it was slightly on the looser side of recommended tension. After 20k I did a 420 conversion but the chain still had a lotta life in it if I'd kept the stock sprockets.
Man I miss that bike, bulletproof all around.
 
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