Topic: My chain goes tight, then loose, then tight, then loose......WTF?

[754]

You did say that, but then why do you still have a sticking link?

I was referring to the replies that maybe it needs oil and cleaning to get the kinks out.

[Klark Kent]

I remember hearing about a teflon chain lube that works really well but couldn't find the post here, while searching i found a great poll about cleaning and lubing chains-   

[Boost_Junkiee]

f&#* it. I just ordered a rk 530x100 m chain from cycle gear for $20. Best fix for my issues it seems Im tired of dicking around

[DammitDan]

I also recommend scraping together the extra bit of $$ to get new front and rear sprockets.  Leaving the old sprockets on there will wear a new chain out quick, and you'll be spending more time adjusting it and re-adjusting the chain than riding!

[Boost_Junkiee]

Obviously I am on a budget so I am looking for a place that has them cheap. Anyone gotten replacements cheap?

[mattcb350f]

+1 on replacing the sprockets.

It could be that your old chain was riding up on the sprockets causing the "tight/loose" condition. If so, the teeth on the sprockets could be bent over.

If you replace the chain and sprockets now you won't have to replace either for a long time  (DISCLAIMER: IF properly lubed and adjusted  )

 Matt.

[754]

check sprockets for wear, front wear out a lot faster than rears..

 an overly cheap chain my not save you money in the long run.

[Jakoba]

I have a 78K with 45,000k on her and I just replace the "Original" (according to my mechanic) 630 chain and the stock Sprockets 15/41.
I swapped them out with a 530 (D.I.D) 17/48 (JT Sprockets) conversion. Works real smooth.
I can't give you any rpm at high speeds yet.(only have my permit not allowed on a road with 80km or more posting) but I do know that at 60km (37mi) she is at 3000 prm and at 80 km(49.7 mi) she is at 4100 rpm.

I am very pleased with the upgrade.

Jako

[Industrial Cafe]

I know this is old, but my bike (with a newish chain and sprockets) has been fine up until today, when I was riding home and heard more chain noise than normal.
checked it out on the stand, and it's getting tight and loose.... seemingly out of nowhere.

the chain and sprockets have around 600 miles on them.
since we never really seemed to get a straight fix for the problem on this thread, I'll see if I can get to the bottom of this.

[gane]

ALL,  some things to check. 1st, if chain can be lifted away from rear spkt at rear center. replace. 2nd if at end of adjust. replace. 3rd, if chain tension changes at mid range by more than an inch, replace. 4th, if sprocket teeth show wishing or asymetric wear, replace.. in rare instances, sprockets can be "out of round", even more rare are bent c/s shafts. chains which sit for prolonged periods often develop "tight spots"where wrapped around c/s spkt. every pitch of chain has, a pin,roller,sideplate. when new, or worn equally load is distributed over 3-4 pitches at all times. a worn chain will wear out sprockets and vice versa. a broken chain not only makes one a pedestrian, but the possibility of physical damage or broken cases preside. As a much younger Gane I worked at a dealership which had a stack of broken 750 cases where drive chains had broken and destroyed 'em.  be safe. luck g

[Industrial Cafe]

ALL,  some things to check. 1st, if chain can be lifted away from rear spkt at rear center. replace. 2nd if at end of adjust. replace. 3rd, if chain tension changes at mid range by more than an inch, replace. 4th, if sprocket teeth show wishing or asymetric wear, replace.. in rare instances, sprockets can be "out of round", even more rare are bent c/s shafts. chains which sit for prolonged periods often develop "tight spots"where wrapped around c/s spkt. every pitch of chain has, a pin,roller,sideplate. when new, or worn equally load is distributed over 3-4 pitches at all times. a worn chain will wear out sprockets and vice versa. a broken chain not only makes one a pedestrian, but the possibility of physical damage or broken cases preside. As a much younger Gane I worked at a dealership which had a stack of broken 750 cases where drive chains had broken and destroyed 'em.  be safe. luck g

it's the strangest thing, I can put a magnetic pin on the swing arm and the sprocket looks out of round by 1-2mm.  sunstar and 48 are stamped on opposite ends of the rear sprocket.

the teeth touch when the "sunstar" comes around, and move away when the "48" comes around.

I don't have a camera anymore (thanks to my kids and a big cup of koolaid)
but I'll post the reason for the problem when i fiddle with it tomorrow.

[Industrial Cafe]

AAAH HA!!!

I loosened the axle one turn, turned the wheel till the chain was tight, grabbed the bottom section of chain with my fingers and squeezed with my thumbs on the swingarm and VIOLA!!! 
there was a squeaking sound,(like aluminum against rubber cushions) and the chain is no longer having the problem.
might have been from warming them up with the improper torque on the axle....
now to tighten to spec, and see if it's good.

[Industrial Cafe]

DOUBLE AAHA!!
SOLVED


it was the 4 bolts that hold the sprocket on.
they were loose enough to let it shift 1mm, enough to give me the problem.

[fang]

Congrats!  I was reading and reading, and thought that this sounded like the sprocket was not centered.  Believe it or not, this happens a lot -- probably more than the chain wearing unevenly.  That really does not happen all that often.

For future reference, if you have the tight, loose, tight, loose chain thing going on, the first thing to do is to make a mark on the rear sprocket and observe if the tight/loose thing corresponds with the sprocket's rotation.  If so, then you found the problem.

good work finding the problem.

peace and grease,
-fang