Please... a quick answer: is this chain slack dangerous to drive with?

[bonne]

Chain has 21.000 km on it. At the 12.000 km service, the Suzuki bloke told me that the chain was way too tight and he loosened it.

Now... tomorrow I have to catch a boat at 8:30 am and I find the chain having this much slack.

Apparently the bloke has overtightened the wheel bolt too much for me to loosen it (same Suzuki bloke as the oil cap)

is the chain to dangerous to drive 500 km with... should I cancel the boat trip?

[endintears]

In my opinion yes it's too slack and potentially dangerous.

[hill100]

Its far too slack. Adjust it before going on your trip.

[bonne]

A remark... it is without any load on it...

[kwackboy]

Too slack , not much adjustment remaining by the look of it either..

[endintears]

The rear sprocket looks very worn as well.
My advice would be to reschedule your trip to enable you to have a new chain and sprockets fitted before setting  off.

[Rusty Nuts]

Would it be impolite to ask how frequently the chain was checked between the 12000 km service and 9000 km later, the night before a ferry trip and 500 km jaunt ?

[Fat Rat]

I wouldn't ride that over 30MPH 

[Caffs]

Looks dangerous to me, and definitely looks like a new chain and sprocket IMHO

[mr_diver]

Yep, new chain and sprockets time.

Chains need checking at regular intervals = Max 600miles and more frequently if running in dusty or wet conditions.

The chances are the service tech used the correct tools to torque the axle nut correctly.
The basic tool in the oem tool kit is simply not up to the job of loosening the nut if it's torqued correctly.

I carry a massive spanner under the seat to undo the axle nut as I've snapped the oem tool as it's made of Chineseium.

[The Doctor 46]

If the boat trip is important and you don't want to cancel, why don't you use that last little bit of adjustment to tighten it up and oil it too. There must be some adjustment if the last person to adjust it loosened it.

Then take it easy to the boat and when you disembark, find a motorbike garage to sort it out for you. Even if there is enough adjustment to tighten it up, I wouldn't ride at normal speeds or for any distance with that chain. If it comes off at any speed it could kill you, wreck your bike or at least ruin the holiday.

Stating the obvious, I would spend a few quid on your bike and have it serviced properly. It would be a good idea to have another biker show you how to look after it between services too. I don't mean to sound patronizing but you did ask for advise.

My Dad would have kicked my Donkey if I had gone to ride that.

[bonne]

I have only been lubing the chain since 12.000 km service. To be honest... I didn't imagine that the chain could wear "this fast". Now I know

Also the the lock bolt on the right side distance screw was loose, so the rear wheel has apparently been slightly off centered );

I have to reschedule the boat trip ):

[bonne]

Ah no, I will not drive to the ferry.... to far, and also my gf will be on the back. Life is too precious for that to risk

I will go find a repair shop close by and see if they can fix it

[endintears]

Good decision
The front sprocket has probably hardly got any teeth left on it
Maybe send us a picture of it when you get it replaced
On the plus side the bike should feel much nicer to ride when the works has been done

[bonne]

But of course the chain can be tightened more. Look at the picture attached.

Is the rear sprocket really that bad?

[Brockett]

I would always change all three, both sprockets and the chain.
Waste of time putting a new chain on old sprockets as the chain will quickly wear out.
Given how much trouble it is to change any of the three items you might as well get all three done together.

[mr_diver]

Yeah what brocket said.

[endintears]

The chain and rear sprocket may be servicable for a few hundred miles more IF there's enough adjustment to get the correct tension but the front sprocket wears the fastest.
Good luck at the repair shop

[vstroman]

Find a new mechanic or learn to do the work yourself, that chain is dangerous being that slack.

[bonne]

Chain tightened and mechanic says it is safe.

Bolt was way way too tight.

Ferry rebooked... everything OK. Thanks for helping