chain checking

[Holmsey]

I'm too lazy to look through all the chain threads  :sleeping-yellow:

Suzy has done nearly 14k so far and looking at the chain ..... It looks alright (cleaned and lubed regularly  since I have owned her, Not sure about the previous owner) but there are quite a few tight spots. Sprockets look OK (shark teeth) .... Would they all be due for a change soon or shall I wait a bit until there is signs of wear.

[UK_Vstrom650]

I've not changed mine (17,500) - it too has a few tight spots but is within tolerance.  Sprockets seem OK too so I'll be leaving them for now. I do have an scotoiler too

[Holmsey]

Cheers ..... When you say within tolerance ..... Pretend you're talking to a complete newbie   (cos I am)

what is an acceptable tolerance?

[UK_Vstrom650]

It's adjusted on the tightest spot as per the manual without being over slack when not on the tight spots.

[greywolf]

Tight spots or kinks are not acceptable if they have to be broken free to move. Check to see if the friction at those spots is just high or if resistance when moving is uneven. High resistance but smooth is not good but anything other than smooth movement means the chain should be replaced immediately. I would replace the chain if there were more than a couple of kinks even if they are smooth.

[Holmsey]

Gotcha ...... I'm good for the moment then  

[Jacko]

There's a stretch limit, you count the pins (21 I think) then check the length between the 1st and 21st pin, should be less than 323mm to be within tolerance, I think, check the manual, I'm fairly sure it's 323 for a 525 chain.

A less scientific test is press the chain tight on the bottom run and try to pull the chain away from the rear sprocket, if you can see daylight through the gap between the chain and sprocket consider changing them.

[greywolf]

I'm not so sure. Kinks are typically the reason for replacement, much more so than wear. If the chain breaks and holes the case or puts you down, you will rue false economy.

[Holmsey]

The wheel spins freely and doesn't appear to have any resistance Greywolf so I hope that's acceptable  
And I'm not technically minded in the way of bikes  

[MartinW]

I changed mine at 18K and was probably a bit early in doing so.

[UK_Vstrom650]

Me neither, but there's plenty of markings left for moving the wheel rearwards as well.

[Holmsey]

I think I might just change it in the new year to be safe then .... at least I will know the chain maintenance then .... Scotoiler on the cards as well.

[UK_Vstrom650]

I was thinking of changing mine once winter is done. No point subjecting a new chain to all that salt.

[Jacko]

Get yourself some spare links and have a winter chain and a summer chain.

[sjh]

OEM chain at 20k here, I've cleaned & lubed it every 800 miles or so in the 16k I've had it for.

Chain & rear sprocket is just fine, front sprocket is showing wear now.

Next set I'm going to replace the front sprocket at 8k or so and see how that wears.