Chain Binding

Coder · 05-12-2010, 04:59 PM

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 · 05-12-2010, 06:12 PM

Worn out.

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

Sarris · 05-12-2010, 06:15 PM

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

Water Warrior 2 · 05-12-2010, 09:34 PM

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 · 05-13-2010, 08:09 AM

Sounds like a frozen link to me.

GZ250 · 05-13-2010, 02:38 PM

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 · 05-13-2010, 03:37 PM

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 · 05-13-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coder

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 · 05-13-2010, 10:06 PM

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 · 05-13-2010, 10:12 PM

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.

05-12-2010, 04:59 PM	#1
Coder Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Orlando Posts: 5	Chain Binding 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. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-12-2010, 06:12 PM	#2
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	Re: Chain Binding Worn out. You may be able to give it a good soak and clean, but , sounds like chain time. __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..."
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05-12-2010, 06:15 PM	#3
Sarris Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Port Richey, Florida USA Posts: 1,348	Re: Chain Binding If it won't tension properly, then the chain is worn out. __________________ Prudent riders live longer than moron riders. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-12-2010, 09:34 PM	#4
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Chain Binding 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.
	0

05-13-2010, 08:09 AM	#5
bonehead Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: elgin,tx Posts: 907	Re: Chain Binding Sounds like a frozen link to me. __________________ Standing with the PGR until they stand for me. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-13-2010, 02:38 PM	#6
GZ250 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 334	Re: Chain Binding 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. __________________ “God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners.” “People understand me so poorly that they don't even understand my complaint about them not understanding me.” --- Søren Kierkegaard ---
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05-13-2010, 03:37 PM	#7
Coder Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Orlando Posts: 5	Re: Chain Binding 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.
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05-13-2010, 10:06 PM	#9
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Chain Binding 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.
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05-13-2010, 10:12 PM	#10
burkbuilds Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shannon, Georgia Posts: 1,268	Re: Chain Binding 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.
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