Triumphrat

DaleE

I thought I was losing my mind. I would check the chain and it would be real loose. So I would struggle to get the bike up on the center stand and adjust it. Then I would take it off the stand and check it again...and it would be way overtight. So I'd start over again, and the next time I'd take it off the stand it would be floppy loose. Repeat as above, until I got sick of messing with it. Turns out (I discover after an absurdly long time) that the chain has a tight spot and loose spots. And I don't mean just a little difference: the loose spots give the chain more than an inch of play, and the tight spot stretches it as tight as a drum--absolutely no play whatsoever.

So, anybody know what's up here? Is this common? Is it chain replacement time? Most importantly--is this dangerous to ride?

Thanks.
Dale

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dazco

It IS common and it's called "chain stretch" which means time for a new one. But by your description it's WAY overdue. A chain like that can be dangerous and can even destory your transmission bearings. I would replace that and the sprockets before riding anymore.

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WoodsieIII

find the tightest spot, then adjust your chain while it is on the sidestand. It probably got stretched from over adjusting it on the centrestand.

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carpelux

tight chain...loose chain...tight chain ... Renew chain!

Your chain has done it's service and it's time to get a new one and at the same time new sprockets.

The reason it varies is that some of the o-rings are worn and the grease inside these links has vanished. That causes wear at theese links, while other who still has intact o-rings don't wear as much.

It can be dangerous to drive with a chain like that. It can snap, and with some bad luck lock up the rear wheel, or cause severe damage to the engine.

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BadMouth

Glad this came up. My chain behaved similarly after having to tighten it up on a long roadtrip. That was about three thousand miles ago. I hate chain maintenance. Any particular chain/sprocket set recommended.

jimmyj900

You also want to check that the bolts on the rear sprocket haven't bent. That can result from a too-tight chain and will cause tight spots that look exactly like chain stretch. Combined with chain stretch that can be really nasty.

Also, my personal theory is that you change the chanin and sprockets at the same time for maximum mileage from the new chain.

I also look for the highest tensile strength chain I can find since that helps reduce the tendency toward chain stretch.

Jim

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DaleE

Thanks, everyone, for your input--and your cautionary words. I kind of suspected that the chain condition rendered the bike unrideable, but with these gorgeous days we've been having here lately, I might have been tempted to ignore my own better judgment.

Next question: where do you buy the aforesaid high-tensile chains and new sprockets? I looked in the JC Whitney catalog to start, and I'm looking around on the web. Haynes doesn't reveal much. Please tell me that I'm not doomed on this one to buy from Triumph. How hard is this job? One day's work for a middling mechanic, I hope? I've got to get a move on: the last, best riding days are breezing by me.

Cheers,

Dale

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denny

You can get the chain and sprockets here.

look at the fiche for your bike at bike bandit There are some seals and a gasket you might as well replace while you have the front sprocket cover off of the bike. Clutch pushrod shaft seal, Shifter shaft seal, countershaft sprocket seal. Also you might need a gasket for the sprocket cover. Your dealer or bike bandit will sell those to you.

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jimmyj900

Try www.denniskirk.com for chains and chain info.

They're not the cheapest but they display their stock quantity and ship from stock so you don't get the "we've got your money but we're temporarily out of stock so wait six weeks" message.

Dennis Kirk also has a paper catalog that ships to customers in the spring. Be sure to get put on the list if you order from them.

Bike Bandit carries AFAM sprockets but there may be other brands out there.

Jim

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denny

Forgot to mention the chain rubbing block that bolts onto the swingarm.

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Cheers,Denny