Topic: chain noise

[mjhoffman]

What would cause the drive chain to become stretched?  Let me guess, Age, hotroding(which I seldom do),  I have a 77 550 that I have commuted to work on for the past 3 years.  Recently I have been hearing a tinkling metal sound when going over bumps and irregularities in the road.  With causal inspection, I finally determined that the chain was loose and hitting against the cover that encloses the front chain sprocket.  It seems as though this looseness has just occurred recently for no particular reason.  Shifting seems to be little stiffer, but it shifts ok.  Any thoughts?

Mike   

[78 k550]

age is one thing. If lubed properly it should last a good while. Dry and worn out is another. This is my first street bike and only have 3,100 street mile under my belt. I think I have had my bike 5 week's. I had to buy a new chian, it's not an O"ring chain. I was told I could expect to get about 20,000 to 25,000 out of it. everyone's driving style affect how the bike need's to be mantained.
How many mile's on the chain?
Last time it got lubed?
Do you go to the high pressure washers to clean your bike?

Paul

[oldbiker]

regular lubrication (like a scott oiler) will extend chain life but correct tension is important. A loose chain will wear almost as quickly as a tight one.

[SteveD CB500F]

And don't forget that a new chain will last about 10 minutes on a knackered set of sprokets.

Change them as a set.