Triumphrat

Galesa · 08-31-2006

Just had new chain and sprockets fitted to my 00 by my dealer.

Man the chain is tight! No where near the factory recommended freeplay (36mm?).

Is something he has done on purpose expecting a new chain to loosen up quite quickly, or should I back it off.

Saigon5 · 08-31-2006

You can do a lot more damage with the chain too tight than too lose. If it is too tight, you should back it off indeed.

motersikelist · 08-31-2006

Too tight is never good on your bike or any chain driven device and can cause expensive problems. When measuring the free-play the bike has to be on the center stand. Rotate the rear wheel to find the position where the chain has the least slack, then check vertical movement midway between the sprockets. If it is too tight, take it back, the service tech may have erred. Hopefully you don't live to far from the dealer. Good luck.

DaveM · 08-31-2006

Quote:

On 2006-08-31 03:07, Galesa wrote:
Just had new chain and sprockets fitted to my 00 by my dealer.

Man the chain is tight! No where near the factory recommended freeplay (36mm?).

Is something he has done on purpose expecting a new chain to loosen up quite quickly, or should I back it off.

Galesa,
I'd be going straight back and asking the service dept. manager what the F@*k sort of job are his guys doing and bloodywell adjust it properly before you***** a bearing.

Too tight is very bad and is very basic. The drop kick that did it should be :kck:

Davem

RickyT · 08-31-2006

I had the same issue when I adjusted my chain for the first time. I thought it was too tight after my adjustment so I actually measured out the 30 -35 mm Triumph recommended and it seemed extremely loose. I took it to the dealer and the mechanic there adjusted it and pretty much set it where I had it and thought was too tight.

Now in order to get what is proper tension, I compare the free play on my bike to that of their demo sprint and if its about the same, I go with it. Although when I actually measure them both I get less than 30mm.

I think I must be measuring wrong.

steventhechef · 08-31-2006

Well said DaveM

johnshumpert · 09-01-2006

I agree with DaveM. There's no excuse for a chain that's way too tight like that. I mean, it's pretty basic stuff. I had my local dealer put on a new rear tire, and they adjusted the chain as tight as a guitar string. Last time I ever went to that dealer...

Good luck,

- John

rodneybrown · 09-01-2006

Like everyone else said, too tight isn't good. Sprints seem to feel loose when they are perfect. You just have to get accustomed to it.

Midzy · 09-01-2006

I've fitted loadsa new bike chains with new front/rear sprockets and have never found that they 'Free Up' significantly after proper adjustment.
Just set it to the minimum end of the tolerance and it will be fine.

pushr0d · 09-01-2006

Galesa,

Do the adjustment yourself! Get some lube under those fingernails! Besides, if the chain is that tight, I wouldn't put any more miles (ok, kilometers) on it until it was loosened.

I think it is 35-40mm for the ST.

Make sure you check it AFTER you retighten the pinch bolt, as it may change the tension on the chain. It usually takes me two or three tries to get it right. I try to get it to the minimum when the chain is cold.

One hint: I took a scribe and a permanent marker to my hub spanner and made marks on the handle at the 35 and 40 MM distances from the end. Now I use the spanner as the gauge; one less thing to haul around.

Good luck!