Often asked: How To Adjust Motorcycle Chain Slack?

How much slack should be in motorcycle chain?

On average, however, most street motorcycles will need a chain tension of about 20 – 30 mm, or about a half inch to an inch in slack. This means that the chain should be able to move about a half inch to an inch up and about a half inch to an inch down. It’s easiest to measure this using a measuring tape.

What happens if your motorcycle chain is too loose?

* Chances of breaking the chain is very high, which might result in a harm for other parts of the motorcycle and the rider as well. * Reduced suspension travel due to the high amount of tension. * Power loss due to higher friction (though the amount is negligible).

How do you fix chain slack?

How to Tighten a Bike Chain

1. Loosen your tire. Loosen the bolts that hold your rear tire.
2. Pull back the tire. Move the tire back until the chain starts to tighten.
3. Find the appropriate tension.

What can a loose motorcycle chain cause?

This will lead to excessive wear, chain slip and broken sprocket teeth and or a snapped chain. On many bikes, a loose chain may grind against the engine casing at the front and can cause the casing to wear through. For every bike, there will be a manufacturers recommendation for chain tension in the owner’s manual.

Can you use wd40 on motorcycle chain?

So, can I use WD-40 on my motorcycle chain? It is highly recommended that you do not use Multi-Purpose WD-40 on your motorcycle chain. The WD stands for Water Displacement, and it is designed to disperse water away from metal parts to prevent rust.

How often should you adjust your motorcycle chain?

You should check and adjust your chain every 500 miles (805 km), and more often for a dirt bike. It’s also a great time to look for kinks or rust, and to give your chain a quick cleaning and lubrication, too.

How long do motorcycle chains 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. This difference is due to the type of chain, how and where you ride, and how well you maintain it.

Why does my chain go slack when I stop pedaling?

Check your jockey wheels as well. if they are not turning freely or the chain has come off one then it will make the chain go slack when you stop pedalling. The most likely cause though is the freehub or freewheel being sticky as said.

What is chain slack?

One thing I do when setting up a bike is check chain slack. When the chain loses all it’s slack it becomes ridged like a piece of steel and stops the swing arm movement dead in it’s track! Once this happens the tire starts doing the job of the suspension and starts to destruct.

Why does my bike chain slip when I pedal hard?

Most of the time, a skipping chain is caused by cable stretch. In the first half dozen rides on a new bike your shift cables stretch the most. They can also stretch over time as you ride. Hippley explains, “It takes cable tension to open a derailleur, which shifts your chain between gears.

How much does it cost to adjust motorcycle chain?

The local dealer charges $25 for a chain adjustment (that includes a cleaning and lube).