Need opinions on my chain

1348 Views 17 Replies 8 Participants Last post by 6speed, May 8, 2009

6speed

Discussion Starter · May 7, 2009

this was my first time installing a new chain, i think i may have taken too many links off. i only took off two (or three if you count the inner part as a link instead of the outer?) the axles is all the way front and the tire is close to the swingarm. i was told the chain would stretch a lot first time riding it, any truth to this? it is the ek mvxz 530 chain which i found online has optional no-strech technology. im not sure if i have that or not or how to tell?

1. is the chain too short? tire too close?

2. is the master link riveted ok? i flared the rivets as much as i could but i could not turn that tool any further without a breaker bar or something.

3. is the chain too tight? there is about 1" of total slack and i have 0 miles on the chain.

i counted the links i counted 59 im assuming there were 60 and that means i have a 120 link chain, correct? that seems to be how they are sold, 110L, 120L, 130L, etc. so if it is too short i guess i will buy a new one i cant seem to find rivets to add those links back in?

thanks!

See less See more

10

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

DuncanC

· #2 · May 7, 2009

Your master link is flared fine. The chain is too tight... You did take out one link too many. You can't add a second master or other link to add it back in, you do need a new chain. That being said you do have a little slack, and they do stretch a little in the first 500miles or so. Depends on how you ride, if your a wheelie guy or you push the bike hard enough in the corners to work the suspension I'd replace it. If its a daily driver I might just ride it for a week or two and see if it does stretch any.

6speed

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 7, 2009

thanks for the input, i will check into a new chain...can anyone confirm if i will need a 120 link? i counted 59...could have been 60? so that would then be a 120 link i assume?

Rocketj21

· #4 · May 7, 2009

Stock is 114 links

Rocketj21

· #5 · May 7, 2009

rear wheel looks real close should look more like this

See less See more

6speed

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 7, 2009

Rocketj21 said:
Stock is 114 links

interesting...so if its a 120 and i cut 6 out im still at stock? i guess the taller tire and +2 on the back sprocket made it that close?

Rocketj21

· #7 · May 7, 2009

6speed said:
interesting...so if its a 120 and i cut 6 out im still at stock? i guess the taller tire and +2 on the back sprocket made it that close?

not sure, but could be

My set up is -1/+1 on an '04 which would be 15/42
rear tire is a 50 series and I'm running 114 links and that how much
space I have between the tire and link

snik

· #8 · May 7, 2009

i am running a 114 link DID cahin with -1/+2 and 190/55 tires, i have more clearance than that. but bare in mind, new chains will stretch a little, so baby it for now and see if it stratches out a tad

6speed

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 7, 2009

am i risking any damage running a chain too tight like that? there is 1" of total slack it seemed? is it supposed to be 1 1/4" slack in BOTH directions?

ChibbMD

· #10 · May 7, 2009

I've posted this before. It's the best way to know exactly how many links you need. You only need to complete the top section and keep in mind that the front to rear axle distance is really the distance between the centers of the front and rear sprocket. Also, I'd recommend counting each link so you'll be sure how many you've got.

http://www.sprocketspecialists.com/SprocketOptimizer2.aspx

snik

· #11 · May 7, 2009

the suspension doesnt work as well, and the chain is strained and stretched a little more.
thats it.
so id run it for a while as long as the wheel isnt touching the link when the rear compresses. then after a few hundred miles of wheelies, or hard pulls or whatever, when you readjust the chain, it should stretch and you'll get your 1.5" of slack in there

Bosarge22

· #12 · May 7, 2009

Be careful of pot holes in the road where the suspension will move a lot.

snik

· #13 · May 7, 2009

awesome link Chibb. Bookmarked

6speed

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 7, 2009

thanks for the link and replies. i will run it for a bit and see how it goes. can someone tell me what is the correct way to count the links, do you count the plates on the outside and multiply x 2 or do you cound the inner pieces?

snik

· #15 · May 7, 2009

no clue

oldfatguy

· #16 · May 7, 2009

6speed said:
thanks for the link and replies. i will run it for a bit and see how it goes. can someone tell me what is the correct way to count the links, do you count the plates on the outside and multiply x 2 or do you cound the inner pieces?

You might try it both ways. Although if you get a different count, then it's back to remedial math for you young man!:beat:

poopeehead

· #17 · May 8, 2009

i think you'll be fine starting out with 1' of slack.
Id watch out for bumps but dont be afraid to gas it and you'll soon have the desired 1.25 in slack

6speed

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 8, 2009

i appreciate all the input guys, i gave it a try...i put about 150 miles on it, it loosened up a bit but still not far enough from the hugger to be comfortable for me, i worry about it too much. especially if i had a passenger it would rub for sure, so i ordered a new chain from brad. anyone looking for a stock-length 114L?

with the new one, anyone have any tricks to getting it on without taking off the shift rod and sprocket cover? think i can zip-tie it to the old one and pull it through?

also, can i soak it in cleaner and get all that white-lithium grease off or whatever it is before i install it...that stuff slings EVERYWHERE!!!

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.