- The loose chain can make irritating noises when it moves over the sprocket wheels. This sound increases on throttling.
- There is a good chance of the chain coming out of the sprocket wheel. This will stop the drive transmission, the motorcycle stops and may lead to serious accidents.
- A loose and fast-moving chain can hit the other parts and damage them.
- A loose and fast-moving chain can hurt the rider’s/ passenger’s leg.
- The transmission of the power from the sprocket wheel (engine side) to the sprocket wheel on the rear wheel will not be efficient.
What are the symptoms of a loose chain on a motorcycle?
Another symptom of a loose chain on a motorcycle is a chain tug, a tugging feeling you feel when the bike keeps steady RPMs in a lower gear, which is another symptom of a loose chain. Your chain is at its loosest in the bike’s lower gears, and chain tug is the adverse effect that the physics of a chain with excessive slack has on your momentum.
How do I know if my drive chain is bad?
The quickest way to check the status of your drive chain is to get on your hands and knees and look at it. Inspect the sprocket’s teeth. They should not be arched on one side, like a cresting wave. If it is, you need to replace the sprocket, and your chain is probably toast, too.
Is it bad to ride a motorcycle with a loose chain?
If the chain is too loose or too tight, it affects the transmission of power from the engine to the rear wheel. Riding your motorcycle with the chain too loose or too tight is not good for the motorcycle and it is not safe for the rider. Let us consider both situations.
How do I know when my bike chain needs replacing?
This is a sign that the chain is approaching the end of its useful life. Other signs are worn spots on the insides of the plates which usually signal that the chain is out of alignment. Look for matching worn spots on the sides of the sprockets’ teeth. You want your chain to look like this. No daylight between the sprocket’s teeth and the chain.
How do I know if my motorcycle chain is worn?
Another, much easier way to check for a worn chain is to try to pull the chain away from the rear of the sprocket on the rear wheel. If the chain is worn, you'll reveal about half a tooth of the sprocket. A new chain will wrap around the sprocket snugly and won't pull away.
How do I know if my chain is worn out?
2:544:22When to Replace a Chain on a Bicycle - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you are using an 11 or 12 speed chain replace your chain once it is reach point five percent wearMoreIf you are using an 11 or 12 speed chain replace your chain once it is reach point five percent wear and for two sprocket or single speed bikes replace your chain when it has reached 1% wear.
How long do motorcycle chains last?
If maintained regularly a decent quality motorcycle chain should give you 15,000 to 20,000 miles (24,000 – 32,000 km) of hassle free riding while high end Gold X or O-ring chains will last 20,000 to 30,000 miles (32,000 – 48,000 km).
How do I know if my motorcycle chain needs tightening?
0:513:56How To Check and Adjust Your Motorcycle Chain | MC GarageYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's time to take some measurements. Using a ruler or a tape measure placed on the underside of theMoreIt's time to take some measurements. Using a ruler or a tape measure placed on the underside of the swing arm midway between the sprockets pull the chain down.
How often should a bike chain be replaced?
about every 2,000 to 3,000 milesReplacing your chain regularly can prolong the life of your drivetrain. Most mechanics agree that you should replace your chain about every 2,000 to 3,000 miles, depending on your riding style. Many Tour De France riders wear out two or even three chains on their primary bike over the course of the three-week race.
When should you replace a bike chain?
The number most commonly agreed on for a worn chain is one percent elongation between links. In reality though, you want to replace the chain before this point. So therefore anything past 12, 1/16 inches (0.5 percent) would be the time to replace a chain.
Why is my motorcycle chain making noise?
Grinding and clunking noises from a motorcycle chain typically means that it's dirty or isn't sufficiently lubricated. Clean the chain carefully with a brush and kerosene or a chain degreaser spray. Then wipe it off and apply some chain lubricant. In most cases this simple maintenance can eliminate chain noise!
How often should I lube my motorcycle chain?
every 400-800 milesYour motorcycle's chain needs to be lubricated every 400-800 miles to keep it at its best. This can vary depending on your bike's use; road bikes will need the chain cleaning less than off-road bikes.
How much does it cost to replace a chain on a bike?
How much does a bike chain cost to replace? Entry level chains can start off around $15.00 with more expensive and higher performance chains ranging from $25.00 to $60.00 or more. More expensive chains increase shift quality and are generally more durable as they wear.
What does a loose motorcycle chain feel like?
Another symptom of a loose chain on a motorcycle is a chain tug, a tugging feeling you feel when the bike keeps steady RPMs in a lower gear, which is another symptom of a loose chain.
What happens when motorcycle chain is tight?
When a motorcycle chain is too tight, it'll put stress on several components of the bike and cause the sprockets to wear faster, make the engine work harder, and cause the suspension to be tight and uncomfortable. Ultimately, a tight chain on a motorcycle may break leaving you with no power.
Can a loose motorcycle chain cause vibration?
Chain getting tight then loose then tight then loose means time for new chain and sprockets. Excessive noise or vibrations indicate time for new chain and sprockets. Things like this indicate time to replace the chain and sprockets.
What will happen if I ride a motorcycle with a worn chain and sprockets?
There are few things that can happen. They range all the way from the slightly annoying to dangerous. Most likely you’ll just experience an increased noise coming from your chain. While this might start to grate on your nerves and drive you nuts, it isn’t a safety issue.
What causes my motorcycle chain to wear out or go bad?
Motorcycle chains wear out. That’s just a fact of life. Even the best cared for chain will eventually have to be changed. With that being said, let’s move on.
How can I check if my motorcycle chain is bad?
Ever wonder why you see other riders at rest stops or gas stations give their chain a little tap with the toe of their boot or a flick of the finger? They are quickly checking how much slack their chain has and if it needs to be adjusted or changed.
How much will it cost to replace a motorcycle chain and sprocket set?
If you are going to replace your chain and sprocket, the good news is it isn’t that expensive to do. Especially if you do the work yourself.
Final thoughts
While the process of checking the health of your motorcycle chain is pretty straightforward and simple, it’s really not something you should skip doing. (Although sometimes I’m guilty of this too.)
How to tell if a motorcycle chain is worn out?
You may see them casually check its tension with the flick of a finger or the toe of their boot.
How to tell if a chain is out of alignment?
This is a sign that the chain is approaching the end of its useful life. Other signs are worn spots on the insides of the plates which usually signal that the chain is out of alignment. Look for matching worn spots on the sides of the sprockets’ teeth. You want your chain to look like this.
Can a chain be arched on one side?
They should not be arched on one side, like a cresting wave. If it is, you need to replace the sprocket, and your chain is probably toast, too. At the far back end on the rear sprocket, pull the chain away from the teeth parallel to the ground. A new chain will barely move.
What is a chain tensioner?
Worn Chain Tensioner. Some bikes have what’s called a chain tensioner that automatically adjusts your chain tension while riding. Your motorcycle connects to the rear wheel via the swingarm. Your swingarm isn’t set in place, so a chain needs slack to adapt to the swingarm’s moving without snapping.
What does it feel like to have a loose chain on a motorcycle?
Motorcycle Chain Tug. Another symptom of a loose chain on a motorcycle is a chain tug, a tugging feeling you feel when the bike keeps steady RPMs in a lower gear, which is another symptom of a loose chain.
What does chain tug mean on a bike?
Your chain is at its loosest in the bike’s lower gears, and chain tug is the adverse effect that the physics of a chain with excessive slack has on your momentum. Chain tug generates a resisting force that pulls against your clutch. Sometimes, chain tug is so noticeable you’ll think your transmission is failing.
How to tell if a motorcycle chain is loose?
1. Low Hanging Motorcycle Chain/Motorcycle Chain Out of Measurement. The earliest telltale sign of a loose chain is that it’s hanging low. If you suspect your chain is looser than it’s supposed to be, it probably is, but you should always measure to be sure.
What happens when a chain is loose?
On the other hand, a loose chain flails all over the place, spontaneously releasing the power your pistons intended for your tires. In the process, the flailing chain can build up enough inertia to jump off your sprockets.
How often should you inspect a motorcycle chain?
I know I already said this; not to sound like a squeaky chain, but you should be inspecting your bike chain every 500 miles and more often if you ride in the dirt.
What happens if you slap a motorcycle chain?
Too loose, though, and you risk a chain jumping off a sprocket; a slapping chain has the potential to damage moto-parts (and rider-parts).
How do I know if my chain is worn out?
Another ballpark method for checking chain wear is by measuring it with a ruler. Pick a rivet and line it up at the zero mark. Count 24 more rivets and your last rivet should be at the 12″ mark of your ruler. If it is off by more than 1/16″ your chain is stretched to the point of replacement.
What does a bad motorcycle chain look like?
Another, much easier way to check for a worn chain is to try to pull the chain away from the rear of the sprocket on the rear wheel. If the chain is worn, you’ll reveal about half a tooth of the sprocket. Look for sprocket teeth that are hooked, pointed or chipped. The front sprocket on my ’70 Yamaha showing some wear.
How long does motorcycle chain last?
So, how often should a motorcycle chain be replaced? In general, a properly maintained motorcycle can will last 20,000 to 30,000 miles, sometimes more. But, some last as little as 5,000 to 10,000 miles.
How often should you replace your motorcycle chain?
To avoid this accelerated wear of your cassette and chainrings, a general rule of thumb is to replace your bike’s chain every 2,000 miles. Mind you, this is just a starting point. No two chains will wear at exactly the same rate because no two riders treat their chains the same.
How often should I lube my bike chain?
If you are a frequent rider, using your bike several times throughout the week, your bicycle will benefit from a regular cleaning and lubrication of the drive chain. Bicycle Tutor recommends cleaning and lubricating your bike’s drive chain at least once every month to maintain optimal performance and protection.
How often should you replace your cassette?
My rule of thumb is to replace it at 75 per cent wear (as measured with a chain-wear indicator). If you stick with this guideline, your cassette and chainrings will last a lot longer. A cassette, in most cases, can last for approximately two to three chain replacements if they are done at the right time.
What happens if a motorcycle chain breaks?
Most broken chains would simply cause the bike to loose all power. The rider would then coast to the side of the road to make the repair. In the worst possible case a broken primary chain could jam in the case in a way that locked the rear wheel. This could result in a high side flip…a catastrophic type of accident.
How to check if a motorcycle has chain slack?
You can check the chain slack of your motorcycle in the following steps. Step 1 -Read your owner’s manual to know the recommended drive-chain slack for your motorcycle. Step 2 -Put off the engine and allow it to cool down. Put the motorcycle on its center stand. Shift the transmission gear to neutral.
How does a tight chain affect a motorcycle?
The rear suspension is connected to the rear axle on which the rear wheel sprocket is mounted, and the tight chain can have an impact on the working of the suspension and make the ride uncomfortable to the rider. You may lose control over the motorcycle.
What happens if a chain is tight?
The consequences of a tight chain depend on how tight it is. A tight chain can wear out the sprockets faster, can affect bearings, makes the engine work hard, and the chain may break. A broken chain on a fast-moving motorcycle can lead to accidents. VI.
Why is my chain so loose?
The reasons for a chain becoming too loose can be (i) due to the normal wearing out of the links and the pins over a period (ii) the rear axle nut may be loose and the rear wheel has moved a bit towards the engine and (iii) if you had purchased a used motorcycle, its earlier owner may have set it wrongly.
How does a motorcycle chain work?
A motorcycle chain that is too tight can lead to: 1 Increased wear on the sprockets, and the sprocket teeth. It can even bend the sprocket or warp it. 2 A tight chain will make the front sprocket (engine end) work hard and since the sprocket is driven by the engine the engine is made to work harder. This can affect the bearings on the engine/transmission side. 3 The rear suspension is connected to the rear axle on which the rear wheel sprocket is mounted, and the tight chain can have an impact on the working of the suspension and make the ride uncomfortable to the rider. 4 You may lose control over the motorcycle. 5 The chain will wear out fast and can even break and the breaking of the chain on a fast-moving motorcycle can be particularly dangerous to the rider and can lead to accidents.
What does a chain do on a motorcycle?
The chain is a vital part of your motorcycle and it is the chain that delivers the power from the driver sprocket at the engine end to the driven sprocket on the rear wheel. If the chain is too loose or too tight, it affects the transmission of power from the engine to the rear wheel. Riding your motorcycle with the chain too loose ...
What happens when you tighten a chain?
Increased wear on the sprockets, and the sprocket teeth. It can even bend the sprocket or warp it. A tight chain will make the front sprocket (engine end) work hard and since the sprocket is driven by the engine the engine is made to work harder. This can affect the bearings on the engine/transmission side.
Why is My Motorcycle Chain Rusting?
Simply put, a motorcycle chains rusts when it meets with a mix of water and oxygen (which, let’s face it, is inevitable). Air contains plenty of oxygen while water typically comes from moisture or rain. Therefore, riding in rain or a humid environment can often cause a motorcycle chain to rust. Another common problem is poor chain maintenance.
Is Rust on a Motorcycle Chain Bad?
Is rust on a motorcycle chain bad? This is a typical question of many riders, and the answer is yes, it is! Rust on a motorcycle chain is typically a sign of poor maintenance. The lack of lubrication causes the chain and the sprockets to wear out much faster. What’s more, rust makes your bike less attractive by giving it a neglected look.
Can a Rusty Motorcycle Chain Be Saved?
As a rule of thumb, a rusty motorcycle chain can be saved as long as the rust is only superficial. These chains typically just require a thorough cleaning and lubrication to get back in good shape. On the other hand, if a chain is already heavily rusted it has to be replaced for safety reasons.
How do You Keep Your Motorcycle Chain from Rusting?
As they say, prevention is better than cure. So, it’s better to keep your chain in good shape rather than having to brush off the rusty spots!
Conclusion
As a takeaway, we’ve compiled the most frequent questions about rusting motorcycle chains under one roof!
1. It gets noisy
With a loose or a worn-out chain, you might find disruptions in the even growl of the engine. The excessive vibrations in a chain can cause an unusual rattling or ticking sound when the engine is idling. In some cases, the excess slack in the chain might cause the valves to run off-sync.
2. Frequent misfires
If the timing chain is stretched out, it can affect the timing of the valves. As a result, the engine will misfire. At other times, the engine performance will drop and you will feel a lack of power while accelerating. The fuel consumption can also increase.
3. Broken metal pieces
When a loose chain rubs with the other parts of the engine, it can result in metal debris. (I have seen this happen to a friend. For a true motorcyclist, it’s really upsetting to see an engine breaking up from the inside.)
4. Failure to start
Another symptom that you may notice is problems while starting the motorcycle. Even if it starts, the ride will not be smooth. Since the valves are not opening properly, there isn’t enough compression inside the engine to deliver the right level of power.
How long do timing chains last?
Generally, timing chains are designed to last the life of the engine. They can easily last over 1,50000 miles. Still, some owners prefer to replace them earlier to ensure no drop in performance.
Can you drive with a bad timing chain?
Driving with a bad timing chain is the worst idea. You can cause serious damage to the engine and compromise your safety by doing so.
How much does a timing chain cost to fix?
The cost of fixing a timing chain depends on multiple factors. It’s hard to specify a ballpark figure. You may need to spend anywhere between $500 to $1200 depending on the labor charges.
