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TXtwowheeler
08-23-2008, 08:50 AM
Guys, I apologize for the worn out question, but it seems that my owner's manual and my local bike mechanic disagree as to the amount of slack there should be in the chain of a GZ250. Unless my eyes are bad, or the type is bad, it says .2 to .5 inches of travel at the middle of the chain. Local guy says more like an inch. What do you say my two-wheeling bretheren?

Thank you in advance.
jonathan180iq
08-23-2008, 12:47 PM
I always go with the manual.
Water Warrior 2
08-23-2008, 04:27 PM
It is better to go with a little more slack than have the chain too tight. Shoot for the 0.5 as a target when tightening your chain. Too tight a chain will stretch and wear prematurely. The sprockets will also suffer. And as I was told recently, the front counter shaft seal might suffer damage and start to leak. Not a cheap fix on most bikes.
5th_bike
08-23-2008, 05:54 PM
...additionally, no chain nor the two sprockets are perfect. A chain that will have 0.6 inches slack at one point could have 0.3 inches slack after you move the bike two feet. If you adjust chain slack, always make sure that you do it when the chain is at its tightest position.
The manual says 5 to 15 mm and 0.2 to 0.6 inches in the picture on page 27.
TXtwowheeler
08-24-2008, 12:02 AM
Thanks to everybody for the input. I'm off to read more of the manual, so I can know what maintenance to prepare to do next.
patrick_777
08-24-2008, 01:16 AM
I think even more important than chain tension (except for the extremes of loose/tight) is keeping a chain clean and lubed well. Bad tension can be forgiven to a point by a well lubed chain and sprockets. This, of course, is just my opinion, btw.
Water Warrior 2
08-24-2008, 10:28 PM
...additionally, no chain nor the two sprockets are perfect. A chain that will have 0.6 inches slack at one point could have 0.3 inches slack after you move the bike two feet. If you adjust chain slack, always make sure that you do it when the chain is at its tightest position.
The manual says 5 to 15 mm and 0.2 to 0.6 inches in the picture on page 27.

Thanks for adding that info. I know it and always forget to do it. My bad.