Topic: New chain, too much stretch

[AlekStooge]

Ok, so I began this riding season with my chain whacking my swing arm. No matter how far I moved the adjustment bolts in the chain still made noise. I replaced it with a cheap RK chain didn't replace the sprockets. I received the wrong number of teeth on the sprockets off Amazon and decided the OEM was too expensive at $120 for a set. They look okay and the bike only produces 16hp so I kept the old ones.

I put the new chain on and the whack goes away. I did a super clean on the chain and took the bike on 500 mile round trip to central  Wisconsin. I get caught in the remnants of the hurricane on the way back, so I wax and check the chain. Ridicously loose.  I figured it's just the initial break in stretch. So I adjust it. I take another 200 mile motorcycle trip and same thing. I adjust it again after about 60 miles, it is starting to happen again. I know chains stretch but not like this. The chain has play both up and down and side to side when I check it.

One more thing. When I was looking at the front sprocket I noticed it had back and forth play. It has a torque spec of 65 ft lbs. There is a safety plate. I don't think it could have gotten that loose from just use. I wanted to ask here before buying a new plate (for who knows how much) and trying to retighten the nut.

[seanbarney41]

You didn't say what bike but front sprockets generally are designed to have a bit of wobble allowed...not all though.  Riding in the rain kills cheap non-sealed chains fast.  Combined with used sprockets, you are seeing the worn chain eat sprockets which then wear the chain even more which wears the sprockets even faster...etc.

[Bankerdanny]

I put a new chain on my 550 before a 4700 mile in 2017. It was a cheap one from 4into1, a company I generally have good luck with. I had to adjust it every day and finally at about the halfway mark I had to break down and buy a DID at a Honda dealer in Texas because mine was adjusted all the way out.

When I replaced the chain on my 750 I just spent an extra $20 to get a good quality chain. About 1800 miles on it and still no adjustments

[AlekStooge]

You didn't say what bike but front sprockets generally are designed to have a bit of wobble allowed...not all though.  Riding in the rain kills cheap non-sealed chains fast.  Combined with used sprockets, you are seeing the worn chain eat sprockets which then wear the chain even more which wears the sprockets even faster...etc.

Sure, but does that wear really impact chain stretch you think? The bike is TU 250x. To be clear the movement on the nut is back and forth and not in/out on the output shaft. I remember my CB having a little of that.

I put a new chain on my 550 before a 4700 mile in 2017. It was a cheap one from 4into1, a company I generally have good luck with. I had to adjust it every day and finally at about the halfway mark I had to break down and buy a DID at a Honda dealer in Texas because mine was adjusted all the way out.

When I replaced the chain on my 750 I just spent an extra $20 to get a good quality chain. About 1800 miles on it and still no adjustments

Prehaps you're right. I figured RK is a reputable brand though I've never used their chains before.

[seanbarney41]

chain/sprocket wear IS chain stretch.  The metal of the chain is not actually stretching.  As the pins and rollers and sprocket teeth wear away, the amount of sloppy  empty space between each of these hundreds of tiny parts grows, the overall length of the complete chain gets longer.

[grcamna2]

Depending how worn the sprockets are(I replace my sprockets a lot more than most),it's best to replace the chain and sprockets as a set.I keep a new front sprocket handy as that's the one that usually wears first for me.
What type of chain lube do you use and how often do you lube it ?

[dave500]

ek/rk chains are fine,the trick is to start off with them loose,let them be loose for a while before you tension them,if too tight from new they wear heavily at first.

[AlekStooge]

chain/sprocket wear IS chain stretch.  The metal of the chain is not actually stretching.  As the pins and rollers and sprocket teeth wear away, the amount of sloppy  empty space between each of these hundreds of tiny parts grows, the overall length of the complete chain gets longer.

Thank you for that.

The sprockets don't look worn like other worn sprockets. I'll try to get photos tomorrow. I wanted to replace them. I'm still stuck with the wrong tooth count ones by two teeth on both, due to NY still probably being shutdown. I currently use Motul chain lube and have been cleaning/lubing it regularly.

[grcamna2]

chain/sprocket wear IS chain stretch.  The metal of the chain is not actually stretching.  As the pins and rollers and sprocket teeth wear away, the amount of sloppy  empty space between each of these hundreds of tiny parts grows, the overall length of the complete chain gets longer.

Thank you for that.

The sprockets don't look worn like other worn sprockets. I'll try to get photos tomorrow. I wanted to replace them. I'm still stuck with the wrong tooth count ones by two teeth on both, due to NY still probably being shutdown. I currently use Motul chain lube and have been cleaning/lubing it regularly.

I use Silkolene chain lube,the stuff is synthetic and also comes in a large can:it really hangs onto the chain and lasts.I let it dry onto the chain for an hour before riding for the best longevity when I can.I lube the inside of the chain rollers so as it spins,it throws chain lube outward into the rollers from centrifugal force,makes it lube the chain better.

[754]

I try to keep a few links of new chain in my toolbox .. like from when you buy a chain that is too long.
 Take that new piece, put it on the front sprocket,  now try moving it  back and forth, if you got movement , sprocket is worn,
 It would barely have any play with new parts, same goes for checking the back.

[Alan F.]

I try to keep a few links of new chain in my toolbox .. like from when you buy a chain that is too long.
 Take that new piece, put it on the front sprocket,  now try moving it  back and forth, if you got movement , sprocket is worn,
 It would barely have any play with new parts, same goes for checking the back.

That's a keeper, thanks Frank.

[grcamna2]

I try to keep a few links of new chain in my toolbox .. like from when you buy a chain that is too long.
 Take that new piece, put it on the front sprocket,  now try moving it  back and forth, if you got movement , sprocket is worn,
 It would barely have any play with new parts, same goes for checking the back.

Excellent