Author Topic: My chain goes tight, then loose, then tight, then loose......WTF? (Read 17342 times)

Boost_Junkiee · « **on:** May 17, 2008, 09:34:31 PM »

Anyone had this issue? When I spin the wheel the chain goes tight then loose. The wheel is adjusted and centered on the hashes on the swing arm, the sprockets look good and the chain looks good but it feels like its binding or something? I was hoping not to have to drop more dough on a chain and sprocket so any help would be appreciated!

troppo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 17, 2008, 09:37:03 PM »

could be a couple of frozen links binding when they go around the sprockets

Boost_Junkiee · « **Reply #2 on:** May 17, 2008, 09:40:06 PM »

Thats what I was thinking but I couldn't spot them. When riding the bike I can actually feel it.

petercb750 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 17, 2008, 11:29:50 PM »

How does the chain feel on the sprocket - ie can you pull it away from the rear of the sprocket? Can you move the chain sideways by grabbing it mid way bewteen front and rear sprockets and pulling and pushing sideways (rather than up and down)?
If so, she's knackered.
Really sounds like your chain has a tight spot, or rather a stretched spot, and you've tightened it at it's loosest position, making it way too tight at the tightest position. Try to get a compromise between the two.
Our 400 was like this, but some of the resistance to spinning was due to a couple of the sprocket stud nuts working loose and rubbing on the bottom of the shocker mount.

Johnie · « **Reply #4 on:** May 18, 2008, 06:13:10 AM »

I think you are on the right track. Chain has some tight links. Depending on the age you might be better off to just buy some new sprockets and chain. That solved my problem and now I know where I am at chain wise. Or you can take it off and clean it and dink around with it and try to free it up. Guess it depends on the cash situation. Good luck with it...

jtb · « **Reply #5 on:** May 18, 2008, 06:33:13 AM »

YOu really ought to replace the chain and sprockets. If it's a 500 or 550, DON'T get an O-ring chain.

754 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 18, 2008, 08:46:11 AM »

its pretty normal to get uneven wear, moreso if you or the previous owner did a lot of burnouts..

Adjusting at the tight spot is crucial, or it will be hard on the sprocket shaft bearing..

jbswearingen · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2008, 10:24:15 AM »

Quote from: jtb on May 18, 2008, 06:33:13 AM

YOu really ought to replace the chain and sprockets. If it's a 500 or 550, DON'T get an O-ring chain.

Why not an O-ring chain?

Klark Kent · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2008, 10:30:40 AM »

too wide. itll wear into the engine case behind the front sprocket on most 550s.

City Boy · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2008, 06:52:06 PM »

Your chain is kaput.Check sprockets very closely and change along with chain if any doubt about their condition.Bad teeth will wreck new chain prematurely.Buy the best chain you can afford,you won't regret it!

DJ_AX · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2008, 07:51:49 PM »

I'd say to replace the chain and likely the sprockets too.
It is the "Main Drive Chain" ... one of those parts that are very important!
Like tires and front brakes... it better be working right!

I'd also recommend checking your swing arm play while your back there.
While it's on the center stand grab your rear wheel and try and move it side to side. It shouldn't move at all. If it does... you'll see how that can jive with the chain's tension. .. and then you'll need to replace the swingarm bushings.
Just resolved that issue myself. My bushings were so bad I felt like it was constantly yankin' my chain.

754 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2008, 07:59:45 PM »

I fail to see how worn bushings can feel like an unevenly worn chain...

upperlake04 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2008, 09:34:56 PM »

An aftermarket rear sprocket I had was machined with a slight amount of slop around the bolt holes which caused the sprocket to be able to be fastened non -concentric with the axle. This caused the chain to tighten/slacken as the wheel turned. Easy to check with the bike on the centrestand and chain off, by spinning the tire slowly while eyeballing the tips of the teeth for distance against something fixed and and set as close as possible to the sprocket.

Boost_Junkiee · « **Reply #13 on:** May 19, 2008, 04:55:51 AM »

Sweet, thanks for the info. Now I have a direction to go. I will check it out tonight.

Boost_Junkiee · « **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2008, 05:08:37 AM »

What kind of chain should I get? I looked on ebay but they are all o-ring style? What kind do i need? I couldn't find the chain info on the site. I think its a 100 link correct?

DJ_AX · « **Reply #15 on:** May 19, 2008, 05:23:10 AM »

Quote from: 754 on May 18, 2008, 07:59:45 PM

I fail to see how worn bushings can feel like an unevenly worn chain...

My bushings were worn to the point that the rear tire would move almost a 1/4" side to side. Push the wheel to the right and then chain gets tight.. to the left... it gets loose. The play in the chain tension varies a lot!
I would set the chain tension and it seemed fine... but then when riding... chain tension would vary depending on many things... turning, slope of the road, accelerating, decelerating.

Boost_Junkiee · « **Reply #16 on:** May 20, 2008, 04:51:50 AM »

Quote from: DJ_AX on May 19, 2008, 05:23:10 AM

Quote from: 754 on May 18, 2008, 07:59:45 PM
I fail to see how worn bushings can feel like an unevenly worn chain...

My bushings were worn to the point that the rear tire would move almost a 1/4" side to side. Push the wheel to the right and then chain gets tight.. to the left... it gets loose. The play in the chain tension varies a lot!
I would set the chain tension and it seemed fine... but then when riding... chain tension would vary depending on many things... turning, slope of the road, accelerating, decelerating.

well its not worn bushings. When the bikes in the air and I am hand spinning the rear wheel I can feel it binding then getting loose. I think I am going to try to drop a link (the ones that are binding) and shorten the chain for now until I can afford a new one since I am already on the last hash on the sprocket. I did find out the chain is a 530 x 100 if anyone needs to know.

greenjeans · « **Reply #17 on:** May 20, 2008, 08:36:20 AM »

Any chance that the rear sprocket doesn't line up well with the front ? Maybe a washer or something
making it wobble slightly ? If you sight down the chain line is it perfectly straight. Could be that the sprocket
might have a slight wobble.

I just picked up a 100 link chain at my local dealer....$45 That's what came of mine - 72 CB750K2

fixahonda · « **Reply #18 on:** May 20, 2008, 10:17:03 AM »

I don't think taking a link out of a badly worn chain is such a good idea. It's not riding properly on the sprockets since the links are spaced further out than the sprocket teeth. This is kinda dangerous and will kill the sprockets in a short amount of time.
I picked up a new RK 530x100 from Bike Bandit for $25 or so shipped last week. Not too bad a price.

754 · « **Reply #19 on:** May 20, 2008, 07:22:32 PM »

Chains can and often do wear at uneven rates.

It seems some have a hard time accepting that...

If the chain is worn, nothing will repair it, least of all taking out a link.

And running it to tight or a bit tighter to get rid of some of that whipping.. is inviting other problems..

If you do not adjust it at its tightest point, a new chain may be the cheapest part of what is coming up next..

gar · « **Reply #20 on:** May 20, 2008, 08:01:03 PM »

754 - here's my 2c ... I had the exact problem. I bought my bike 2 years ago with around 8k miles and I doubt it had been cleaned in, oh, 32 years. I put the bike on the center stand and scrutinized the chain while I turned the wheel and could see there were a few links that were binding. I first confirmed the wheel was adjusted straight. I really didn't want to remove the swingarm to soak the chain in kerosene, so I took a scrub brush (the plastic kind you'd use on floors or kitchens with plastic bristles) and scrubbed the chain as I sprayed WD40 on it, and slowly turned the wheel. I probably used 1/2 bottle of WD40, but if very effectively cleaned the chain and removed the debris that was impairing the smooth movement of the chain. The tight...loose...tight cycle was eradicated. I bought a Castrol spray on lube from DennisKirk and have had no problems for two years now.
Hope this helps!

754 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 20, 2008, 08:20:37 PM »

A sticky unlubed chain can do that..

I sorta assumed that before anyone would post on here they would lube and adjust the chain first.. I realize that some new riders may have a bit of a time with this if they had never done so.

Another thing to mention, if a chain is very dry, it can tighten up after you lube it, so always lube up and make sure the links are freed up before doing a final adjustment

smccloud · « **Reply #22 on:** May 20, 2008, 08:46:15 PM »

i'm dreading the day i have to replace the chain on my '72 750. but i have a feeling it will be less than a year no matter what. don't want to chance it when i'm giving my fiance and her daughter rides.

DammitDan · « **Reply #23 on:** May 20, 2008, 11:15:43 PM »

A broken chain will ruin your day.

Severely over tightening a worn chain to save a little dough could very possibly break your chain. And possibly punch a hole in your crank case. And take a chunk out of your leg if you're running without a chain guard.

And it will leave you stranded.

A broken chain will ruin your day.

Boost_Junkiee · « **Reply #24 on:** May 21, 2008, 05:01:14 AM »

Quote from: 754 on May 20, 2008, 08:20:37 PM

A sticky unlubed chain can do that..

I sorta assumed that before anyone would post on here they would lube and adjust the chain first.. I realize that some new riders may have a bit of a time with this if they had never done so.

Another thing to mention, if a chain is very dry, it can tighten up after you lube it, so always lube up and make sure the links are freed up before doing a final adjustment

Just so you know, I did lube it up and I cleaned it before putting it on. I thought I stated that already....

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Author Topic: My chain goes tight, then loose, then tight, then loose......WTF? (Read 17342 times)

Boost_Junkiee

troppo

Boost_Junkiee

jbswearingen

upperlake04

Boost_Junkiee

Boost_Junkiee

Boost_Junkiee

fixahonda

Boost_Junkiee