Triumphrat

max_ax · 04-04-2006

For those who adjust the chain on their Bonneville:

1. Given typical driving usage, how often do you find you need to adjust your chain?

2. Is there any good step-wise description available somewhere describing how to adjust the chain? I have very little experience at motorcycle maintenance and so am looking for a more detailed description than that which appears in the owners manual.

Thanks...Andy

Paoli · 04-04-2006

I never adjusted my chain on my ZRX till I needed a new back tire. This happened at about 12000km.

Should be about the same with your Triumph.

I sprayed my chain with chaingrease maybe every 1500km, depending on the weather.

I suppose you should do it more often if you ride in the rain a lot.

FattRat · 04-04-2006

Uuuuh THANKS!

I needed a reminder to tighten mine a bit. I'm actually blown away with how long I've managed to go, tightening only initially when new, one other time 5,000 miles ago, and at 12,000 miles I'm noticing it might need my attention (feels like it while I rode this weekend).

Clean your chain every oil change, lubricate it every 250 to 500 miles, and you should expect longer chain life and less wear on your sprockets.

I have no idea how long a life we should expect from it, and come to think of it..... surely these spark plugs could benefit from getting changed out by now too....

Bryan · 04-04-2006

The owners handbook has all you need to adjust your chain and has a description on how to test your chain for wear. They do stretch over time and should be replaced. Breaking a chain can damage your bike and cost you quite a bit let alone possibly hurting you. The owners handbook has all you need to adjust your chain. I always lay a straight edge across the width of the rear sprocket all the way to the front sprocket in order to align the chain properly. Be sure to tighten the axle nut with a torque wrench.

raproe · 04-04-2006

My chain was adjusted by the dealer at the initial 500 mile service. I clean and lube it every 500 miles (or so) and never needed to adjust it again until I replaced the back tire at 6000 miles. I ride as hard and fast as I can on roads ranging from freeways to farm roads sort of paved with mixtures of tar, gravel, and manure.

ohiorider · 04-04-2006

I can't speak for the Bonneville, but my W650 requires chain adjustment no more often than every 5000-6000 miles. I do lube chains every 400-500 miles.

The W650 has been ridden approximately 47000 miles, and I replaced the original chain and sprocket set at 18000 miles. The second chain and sprocket set was replaced at 38000 miles (DID XRing). I may be overdoing it, but when the sprocket teeth get worn and take on a curved profile, I follow the chain manufacturer's recommendation and change both the chain and sprockets.

I'm guessing I'll be changing chain and sprockets on the T100 at approximately the same mileage intervals.

Do these intervals (approx every 20000 miles) sound right to you guys?

Bob

Dickie2679 · 04-04-2006

I had a suzuki bandit 600 & had to adjust the chain every week or so, must have been made of elastic :wink:

glapple · 04-04-2006

After checking it at the 500 mile srvice it should be good for 5K between adjustments. However you should check it at least once a week. Throwing a chain at speed could really ruin your day. How do you clean yours? I use WD40 to clean and then Belray synthetic chain lube. If you have a center stand of lift turn the back tire while spraying a GENEROUS ammount of WD40. Then wrap a rag arong the chain and turn. Then wipe down the sprocket and hell while your at it clean the rims with the WD40.Just remember ti use a good chain lube, WD40 is not a lubricant.

EnglishBaz · 04-04-2006

I think Triumph recommend every 500 miles - if they don't my dealer did