Chain adjustment problem

I just had the 28,000 maintenance done at my local Honda dealer. I double checked the chain adjustment a few days later and noticed when the bike is on the centerstand the chain adjustment felt perfect, but when I rolled the rear wheel about a quarter turn the chain became very tight. I then rolled the rear wheel another quarter turn and the chain again had about a one inch play. The adjustment seems fine except for one spot when turning the rear wheel. This is the second chain on the bike (has about 8,000 miles on it) and it was a cheaper unit because it was all the Honda dealer had in stock at the time. The bike has the original rear sprocket, but I replaced the front sprocket with one that has one less tooth at 12,000 mile. I have a 2001 VFR 800.

Does this indicate a bad chain, sprocket or both? Or is it just an adjustment problem?

 

Chain. Put it up on the centerstand and rotate the rear wheel a bunch and watch the chain to see whether you can see tight spots (chain links are "stuck" in a contracted position, versus having flex and being in a straight line.)

How often do you lube and clean your chain? If not very often, that explains the premature chain wear.

 

agreed the chain... you might want to consider +2 rear and put the stock front sprocket back on.

 

A series of tight and loose spots usually indicates a worn out chain. Any chance that your dealer sold you a non O-ring replacement ????

Stock original chains are usually shot by about 20-25k.

It's important that the chain be adjusted ( cold) at the tightest spot.

 

I don't really know what chain the dealer installed, but I do remember them saying it would be good for around 8k miles. I have kept it lubed, but I suspect it is worn. I'm going for broke and installing a DID x-ring tomorrow. Glad to hear it doesn't sound like I need a new sprocket. Whenever I do need to replace it I'll take the advice and go with a +2. After I replaced the front sprocket with a -1 unit I read that it was harder on chains. Sure does make the bike more fun to ride though! I appreciate the advice.

 

New sprockets should be installed with new chain.......

An 8k mile chain would be a standard, non O-ring, and be due for replacement.

 

Yes its possible that it isn't a o-ring chain. It has close to 10k miles on it. I replaced the stock chain around 18k miles, but it could have gone a little longer. The chain was hot when I checked it, but I'm thinking that should have made it looser rather than tighter.

Putting on the DID x-ring tomorrow, so hopefully that will fix the problem.

 

I'm through with cheap chains. If thats all the dealer has the next time, then I'll wait until a good one can come in.

 

I'll see what kind of sprockets the dealer has in stock tomorrow. I want to stick with steel and will go with +2 in they have one.

 

I'm pretty good about lubing the chain, but I've never really understood why you need to on an o-ring chain. I though the o-ring is designed to keep the lube in the chain, which in turn seems like it would not allow new lube in. If it did either, then the 0-ring must be bad and the chain should be replaced. I must be overlooking something obvious as usual.

 

Is it true that running a front sprocket -1 will cause the chain to wear quicker? Thought I read that the 6th gen ran a 13 tooth front sprocket stock.

 

Stock on a 6th gen is 16 front and 43 rear. You'll find little evidence to prove that dropping a tooth in the front causes the chain to wear faster. What would be more logical to find is that the front sprocket would wear faster as it will make more revolutions to move the chain the same distance as one of the stock size. Of course... in making the bike "more fun" to ride, it does place more stress on the chain. A good chain such as a quality DID is capable of handling much more power than the VFR puts out so you really aren't stressing the chain more than it is intended to be.

Think of the o-rings just like the rubber boots for ball joints on your car. It somewhat seals the joint but not completely as the joint must flex and move. This is the reason for the grease zert and why you must lube it. Same holds true for chains. The lube is also for more than just inside the rollers on the chain. It is for the outside of them as well as the sprockets. The outside is exposed to the elements much more than between the o-rings on the chain and the lube is removed by the elements or flung off at high RPM, thus the need for re-lube so frequently.

 

I did change my front sprocket to one tooth less, which I'm thinking was 16 on my 5th gen. I believe it came with 17. I might be remembering wrong, but I definitely went one tooth less than stock. I've been very pleased with the improved fun factor. I'm now wondering about adding two teeth to the rear for even more fun, but I'm afraid it will be overdoing it.

Thanks for the explanation on the chain lube. That makes sense and now I understand. I'll keep lubing away! Not much trouble to do with a center stand anyway. I've been using Maxima chain wax because it doesn't fling onto the rear wheel as much as other types I've tried.

 

It does sound like a new chain is in order

 

I've seen pictures of master links that were so overtightened, the o-rings bulged out. I wouldn't be surprised if some he-man tech tightened the rivets so much the master link can't pivot.

O-rings and x-rings keep lube in, and my understanding is that really thin lubes can actually wash out the factory grease and reduce the chain's life. A while ago I read on a chain manufacturer's website that the main purpose of lubing your chain is to keep the o-rings from drying up and leaking dirt in and grease out.

The only chain issue I've had is with the clear lube that leaves a sticky wax residue... it attracts all sorts of gunk, which then accumulates on the chain guides and in the front sprocket housing--that stuff can start wearing away your o-rings. Keep yer chain clean.

 

Plus one to that.

Plasma.

 

Is there a brand of chain lube that everyone generally agrees is best or am I opening up a can of worms?

 

Nah,you're not opening up a can of worms. You're beating a bag filled with rattlesnakes and then dumping it in the ball pit at Chuck E Cheese.