Slacking off / Chain Maintenance

[MitsuMonster]

I haven't been the best with my chain maintenance recently. And my Slacking off hasn't helped my chain slack So here's My question. I don't have a great space to work on my moto and any tools. How many of you are in the same situation as me? And how do you go about your chain maintenance with out your own tools?

Here's an idea. i do have a bike stand, though i don't try to stand it up on my own. If anyone has tools and no bike stand lets meet up

You don't need any tools to just wax the chain.. Just get a couple of rags and a can of Maxima (or brand of preference) and warm up the chain and spray, wait a few minutes and wipe.... I used to do mine, first, just on the ground and would wheel the bike to rotate the chain.. Then, started using automotive jack stands on the swingarm, finally, broke down and bought a rear stand.. Now, it's just a matter of being diligent about doing it... Pitbull's are easy enough to do by yourself.. What kind of stand do you have that you can't do yourself... Have someone spot you the first few times until you get the hang of it, and you should be able to prop the bike up solo.. It's harder when the bike is sitting on the side stand.. Of course, you are the only one who knows your ability, so if it seems to precarious a thing to do, then you probably shouldn't do it.. Broken bits cause broken hearts, wallets.. etc.

[MitsuMonster]

thx for the info yeah if it was just lubing it wouldn't be a problem. I need to tension it as well. Makes me wonder though, if i'm getting a good amount of slack in only 1k or so miles is something a miss? and thx for the pointers on the stand. Getting a spotter would probably help me get to the point where i can prop it up on my own. It's a basic stand with the rubber coated L brackets to catch both sides of the swing arm. Just always been scared to pop it under and give it that push to prop it up straight when i'm solo.

Chain shouldn't really be loosening all too much after 1k miles.. How many miles are on your sprocks/chain? You know, sometimes (maybe most of the time) in the drive line there's a tight spot and a loose spot, depending on where the sprockets stop I guess (smidge outta round perhaps?) Roll the bike and take a few measurements.. you could be getting a false impression.. You could find it's perfectly the same all around, or you could find a spot that's tighter.. which you could set if from there.. I always tried to set mine in between the loose and tight spots... err on the side of a little loose than tight.. When the rear compresses, chain gets tighter, to a certain point... Good luck

[MitsuMonster]

9300 miles on chain and sprocket. Rear sprocket shows signs of wear. Front looks better the rear. I'm going over to a friends tonight and will give it a good cleaning and fresh lube. But the loosening of the chain since I last tensioned it has me a bit worried. last time i tensioned it I made sure to keep the 1-1 1/2 movement. But I am a noob at identifying what wear on a chain looks like.

[flyinswede]

Who is theis Fergizone person? We USED to have a guy show up all the time that went by that name... maybe someone hijacked his identity on here... I think the REAL Fergi must have fallen into a ditch since we never see him anymore.

[gme620]

I replace my chain and sprockets at 10000 miles. I've been told that that is excessive but the price you pay when a chain breaks and goes through your engine case is more excessive. If it's the stock chain an aftermarket one like a D.I.D or an RK might not be a bad upgrade. You can get an chain and sprocket set and save some money too. You can feel what you pay for when you use a Renthal or afam sprocket, it oozes smoothness, and looks the part too. [thumbsup]

[SPDUC]

Originally Posted by Flyinswede

Who is theis Fergizone person? We USED to have a guy show up all the time that went by that name... maybe someone hijacked his identity on here... I think the REAL Fergi must have fallen into a ditch since we never see him anymore.

He was kidnapped by the Wife and Kid gang - a nice enough group, but real dangerous when provoked by demands of riding on the weekend and attending Night of the Cheese. They nailed me last Fall and I'm still trying to find my way out.

[Desmo Elmer]

Rear sprocket shows signs of wear.

[laugh] [laugh] :-X

[MitsuMonster]

omg! very worn indeed. If you look off the end of the screw driver you'll see a crack in the sprocket.


Got it fixed thanks to Ross THE MAN. Had some spare parts left over from his swing arm conversion. [thumbsup]