My chain is definitely out of spec on the loose side. have a 2006 S2R1000 with about 4,000 miles on it. IIRC spec is about 30mm, my free play is more like 45mm - for those of us in the US about 1/2 inch too loose.
Have searched the archives a bunch, and have the impression that too tight is bad, but too loose is not the end of the world. Am i crazy? I ride like a grandmother.
What are the potential problems if I ride for another couple hundred miles until i can get it tightened up a bit?
Any advice on where and what chain tool to buy and links to tightening help appreciated - have never done this before.
Tim
if its a sss, its easy to adjust if you have the eccentric tool and a rear stand. I think there is an old post on how to do it with a screwdriver and the slots on the hub but do it at your own risk. besides the eccentric tool is relatively cheap, you should be able to get one for about US$20-30. you might also be able to use a spanner tool from sears otherwise your dealer should have one. as for adjusting it, just get the rear up, loosen the pinch bolts and slide the eccentric tool in place and rotate. can't remember which way tightens but that should be easy enough to determine once you start rotating the eccentric.
you are right that tighter is worse than loose but I can't stand the way my bike rides when its loose so I keep an on it. after awhile you will be able to tell by just lifting on the chain with your toe.
Can you elaborate on your comment that you don't like how it rides.
Have an ebay spanner on the way.
Looks like the SSS is real easy - I was reading a lot of DSS info inadvertantly.
When my chain becomes a little loose, I noticed that when I would accelerate or change gears, the chain would clunk around a bit and not accelerate smoothly. Nothing major but it became annoying to me.
Also I can't imagine that the chain slapping would be too good for wear and tear on the chain, so I decided to be a bit more proactive on the tension.
The other thing that affected my chain was that I changed out the front sprocket. In hindsight I probably should have changed the rear sprocket but I figured I would do everything when I got a new chain.
thanks man. I asked b/c it has been little choppy at low speeds on and off throttle. Learning a little more each day.
I had my chain too tight for about 200 miles and pretty much killed the chain. It has tight spots now. I made it much looser so that it is about 30-35mm freeplay, and although the tight spot is less noticeable, the chain does slap around a bit and make the bike a little jerkier. I have a 14T front sprocket and will replace both sprockets and chain at the 7500 mile service coming up for me (at 5300 now).
I would say tighten up a little bit, if the bike doesn't feel better then put it back where it was. I've seen some replies from guys who race saying the loose chain is the way to go anyway.
Thanks. Have done a little more reading and just measured it better.
All looks good, no tight spots, kinks etc. measuring about 40 to 43 mm all the way around. Spec is 30 to 32.
I will tighten it a tiny bit - but i think you are right, end of day i am probably just fine where it is.
It seems everyone goes through the anal stage of chain tension - i will look forward to the "just check it with your toe" stage...
Thank you for the reply.