Chain Binding

[Coder]

When I rotate wheel I find the chain tightens and then releases as if it is binding. I can hear it when I ride as well. The chain is old but within specs and I plan to replace. I'm assuming the problem is due to an older chain but is there another cause? I've cleaned-greased and adjusted the chain several times.

[JWR]

Worn out.

You may be able to give it a good soak and clean, but , sounds like chain time.

[Sarris]

If it won't tension properly, then the chain is worn out.

:)

[Water Warrior 2]

How many miles on the bike ? Normally chains need a few adjustments when new(initial wear in) and when they are near the end of their life. You might want to check the front and rear sprockets for excessive wear or damage. Chain wear or chain stretch is the pins wearing down and the chain lengthens. This causes the chain rollers to climb up the sprocket teeth and bend them over and cause ugly wear characteristics. Not a good or safe thing to have.

[bonehead]

Sounds like a frozen link to me.

[GZ250]

mine just get loose and needs adjustment after a while. when chain is not tight you also loose power and chain gives noise. adjust yourself or take it to the mechanic. mine charges $12 for adjustment.

[Coder]

Appreciate responses. Bike is used and has 22,000 miles. Guessing chain is original. Rear sprocket teeth in fair condition but haven't eyeballed front sprocket yet. Will replace chain and maybe sprockets.

[Easy Rider]

Will replace chain and maybe sprockets.

This would be an excellent time to try a 16T front......since you will be changing it anyway.

And a loose chain does NOT result in a power loss.......unless it is SO loose that it comes OFF !! :biggrin:

[Water Warrior 2]

If the chain and sprockets are all original I would be replacing everything at once. It will be cheaper in the long run and more reliable too.

[burkbuilds]

You got a lot of miles out of that chain if it's original. Mine was ready for replacement at about 12,000 miles, however, the previous owner left it out in the rain for two years and didn't appear to have done any chain maintenance, so it was pretty rough when I got it even though the bike only had about 2300 miles on it then.

[5th_bike]

My chain has always had that, that it's tighter and looser depending on the position of the wheel. I think that the rear sprocket is not perfectly symmetric, or not perfectly placed, that's what you get then.

That is also why you should be careful when tightening your chain, and tighten it at its tightest position.

[Water Warrior 2]

My chain has always had that, that it's tighter and looser depending on the position of the wheel. I think that the rear sprocket is not perfectly symmetric, or not perfectly placed, that's what you get then.

That is also why you should be careful when tightening your chain, and tighten it at its tightest position.
New bikes have the same ailment. There will always be a majority of bikes with a loose/tight chain syndrome. Just a fact of life with motorcycles. As suggested, find the tightest position and then do the measuring and adjusting. It is a PITA but worth it.

[blaine]

[quote="5th_bike":227yajtc]My chain has always had that, that it's tighter and looser depending on the position of the wheel. I think that the rear sprocket is not perfectly symmetric, or not perfectly placed, that's what you get then.

That is also why you should be careful when tightening your chain, and tighten it at its tightest position.
New bikes have the same ailment. There will always be a majority of bikes with a loose/tight chain syndrome. Just a fact of life with motorcycles. As suggested, find the tightest position and then do the measuring and adjusting. It is a PITA but worth it.[/quote:227yajtc]

:plus1: :plus1:

[Coder]

Follow up to chain binding for what its worth. I replaced the chain and the binding problem went away. Visual inspection of old chain didn't reveal anything remarkable. Chain replacement was simple enough for a guy with basic mechanical skills. Used a bolt cutter on old chain. New chain using link installed easily. Both sprockets were in fair to good condition. Chain noise still seems a bit louder than I was expecting but maybe this is normal.

[dentheman]

Putting a new chain on used sprockets will generate some noise until they 'wear' into each other, even if the sprockets are serviceable. From my bicycling experience. But are you sure your sprockets are still good? Chain and sprockets share the wear.

[blaine]

Follow up to chain binding for what its worth. I replaced the chain and the binding problem went away. Visual inspection of old chain didn't reveal anything remarkable. Chain replacement was simple enough for a guy with basic mechanical skills. Used a bolt cutter on old chain. New chain using link installed easily. Both sprockets were in fair to good condition. Chain noise still seems a bit louder than I was expecting but maybe this is normal.


The noise will go away in a few days.I replaced my chain and it was noisy for a few days till everything mated up.

[Rookie Rider]

does it matter what brand chain to buy ? and can i buy a red chain being i have a red bike as long as the chain says #520 with 110 links ? should it say it comes with a master link too ?

[jonathan180iq]

does it matter what brand chain to buy ? and can i buy a red chain being i have a red bike as long as the chain says #520 with 110 links ? should it say it comes with a master link too ?


How much mechanical stuff do you do yourself. Getting the link set on a motorcycle is much more important than it is on a bicycle, for example. (I realized that might sound like a back handed insult and that's not what I mean at all.) Just make sure you have the right tools to get this done.

People with much more experience have put a chain on on their own only to be surprised at speed by what happens if that master pops.

You can get one of those red chains but they are usually just for show or they are fancified moto-cross chains. It will probably work. But I would feel better with just a good old fashioned factory chain.

[Water Warrior 2]

Chains are something I don't like to mess with. My local Yamaha dealer does the job for me. He has the tools and experience. He also has the shop which is a far cry from my dark underground Bat Cave for working. Twice now I have replaced the rear sprocket myself and then ridden to the shop where he cuts off the old chain, installs a new front sprocket and the new chain. Works for me and my hands stay reasonably clean.

[Rookie Rider]

i think i can do it myself, but theres always that feeling of what if i run into a problem. and i only have your basic tools. i used to work in a machine shop and taking chains off, cutting links and putting chains on motors were part of my job. but they were much smaller chains.

[jonathan180iq]

i think i can do it myself, but theres always that feeling of what if i run into a problem. and i only have your basic tools. i used to work in a machine shop and taking chains off, cutting links and putting chains on motors were part of my job. but they were much smaller chains.

If you know what you are doing, then go for it. But I take my chains in.