Chain needs adjustment way too often. Help.

Discussion in '3rd & 4th Generation 1990-1997' started by bullit199, Dec 14, 2016.

  1. bullit199

    bullit199 New Member

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    Guys and gals,

    My 94 VFR seems to needs a chain adjustment every week lately. It get's really loose really fast. The chain is fairly new and the sprockets seem to be in good shape. I tighten down the bolt as tight as I can with my tools and it will still get loose. I do ride it rough from time to time. I'll downshift a bit rough or I'll take off fast. This shouldn't really make my chain so loose it touches my center stand, right?

    1. Have any of you had this problem with your 3rd or 4th gen?
    2. What steps should I take to figure out what is causing the issue?
    3. Any recommendations for the best bang for the buck chain and sprockets for the 4th gen VFR?

    Thanks,

    Bullit199
     
  2. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    Well silly boy ease up a bit on both take off and decel. Jk, but yea take it a bit easy at first. Like all things mechanical they need to break in a bit, that goes for Chains too, and yes a new chain will stretch a bit when new, how much depends on ones riding preference. Can't say I've ever had a chain get lose because the eccentric let it, unless you don't have the pinch bolt very tight, but even at that it doesn't take much to keep it put.
     
  3. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Check to see if your pinch bolt is loosening off a bit for some reason. You may need to actually use a torque wrench to determine if in fact this could be the case. Torque i to spec next time you tighten it. If chain goes slack again, use the torque wrench to see just how loose that pinch bolt became.
     
  4. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    I have read that the eccentric bolt needs to have the washer/hose guide in place, as without that the bolt can bottom out without properly tightening enough to stop the eccentric from turning.

    I'm also of the belief that a chain is better too loose than too tight. Too tight means the chain can be Much Too Tight when the suspension compresses, and that WILL stretch the chain quickly, as well as putting unnecessary loads on the countershaft bearings.
     
  5. Arnzinator

    Arnzinator New Member

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    Check you cush drive. Worn cush drive bushings (also called wheel dampeners) will make it impossible to maintain proper chain adjustment. Place the bike on the center stand & check by trying to rotate the sprocket forward or backward. Any excessive play will indicate worn dampeners. Here's a vid that really lets you see the problem. Pay attention as the wheel is rotated back & forth. You can actually see the chain tighten & loosen. This is an EXTREME example but hopefully you get the idea.

    [video=youtube;Wv4LYVYM1ik]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv4LYVYM1ik[/video]
     
  6. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    The fixes are all good stuff. In the OP he states the chain is new and the sprockets are in good shape. The bike is a 1994. Sprocket wear is quantifiable Not an exact science but can be gauged with some degree of accuracy. Could be just a crappy chain too..
     
  7. baxtre

    baxtre New Member

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    My 96 did this. Take out the pinch bolt and clean. Clean all threads. Tighten to spec. No more problem.

    Sent from my SM-T280 using Tapatalk
     
  8. Maggot

    Maggot New Member

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    Terry smith hit it on the head. I very seldom adjust the chain. Still running the original at 27,000 miles. I lube it everytime I ride when I put it away and it is still warm.

    Adjust the chain while you have someone, about your weight, sitting on it. It should be a little over an inch in the tightest spot. You can go almost to an inch and a half. What you think is too loose is probably perfect!

    Try running it a while in this "Too Loose" configuration and you will see that it stays put in this spot.

    The bad news is every time your swing arm passes through this tight spot you are not only putting additional stress on the chain but also the bearings on your countershaft /sprocket.
     
  9. Sniper

    Sniper New Member

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    Bullit, im curious as to what brand chain you have?
     
  10. bullit199

    bullit199 New Member

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    This was happening with the previous chain too. In fact, I think at some point my buddy over tightened it and that's when I found out loose is better than tight. That's why the chain went bad faster than it should have.
     
  11. bullit199

    bullit199 New Member

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    I will get a hold of a torque wrench. How do I confirm if I need a washer on my eccentric bolt? I don't recall seeing one. I'll look at it tomorrow.
     
  12. bullit199

    bullit199 New Member

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    Okay, thanks. Will do. I think the owner's manual states 58 ft lbs of torque for the pinch bolt.
     
  13. bullit199

    bullit199 New Member

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    I weigh almost 200 lbs and today I sat on it and the slack does go away when I'm sitting on it. So either I could tighten up the suspension or just adjust the chain according to me sitting on it. Might get a buddy to help me out. Thanks for the tip.
     
  14. bullit199

    bullit199 New Member

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    Good video. I don't think I have much play when I go back and forth but I'll keep an eye out for this down the road too. Thanks.
     
  15. bullit199

    bullit199 New Member

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    Do you mean use a Tap and Die set to make sure the threads are good? I can get a hold of a set if that's what you're talking about doing.
     
  16. ricky

    ricky New Member

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    If the chain slack goes away with you sitting on it, it's definitely too tight. It's best to have about an inch of slack with you on it. If less than that, the chain will put too much stress on the CS bearing when going trough the suspension travel and rear axle is at it's farthest from the the CS
     
  17. Droldaerd

    Droldaerd New Member

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    What kind of chain do you have? I took a bike in once for a chain and sprocket installion and the dummies threw a standard did50 roller chain (400cc rated) onto my 900 ninja. I had to adjust it every time I down shifted into 7k+ rpms. A parts salesman pointed out my problem when I showed him my bike. The bike shop never honored their repair and I've since do it myself.
     
  18. Riding a 2000

    Riding a 2000 Member

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    Them Sonsabitches!
     
  19. kennybobby

    kennybobby New Member

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    +1 on ricky bobby. If you adjusted it without the preload of your body weight, then that is why it keeps getting loose--the chain forces are huge when the suspension gets loaded.
     
  20. baxtre

    baxtre New Member

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    No just clean male a female threads with solvent.

    Sent from my SM-T280 using Tapatalk
     
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