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'07 XRL and Chain.

By squatpuke,
in XR600R & XR650R/L

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squatpuke

Posted
Posted

.

.

Ok, I noticed after my 1st few milew that my chain seems VERY loose...(It must have about 2-3" of play).

What bugs me is why didn't the dealer catch this issue, and why should it be so loose if the bike is brand new. I didn't check at the shop cause of my noobness and shop is 150 miles away. Seems a new chain should fit perfect. Doesn't it just "stretch" after many miles of riding?

I just finished my first 100 miles on the bike and this weekend will do my first oil/filter change...and I thought I'd better tighten this chain up before I eat away my sprahkets.

The chain tensors dealies are in the "all the way forward" position...I wouldn't think I'd have to adjust them on such a new bike.

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wwjam

Posted
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My 07 came the exact same way. The chain was way too loose and the adjustment cam was also at the minimum. Adjusted cam to position #25 and all is well.

.

.

Ok, I noticed after my 1st few milew that my chain seems VERY loose...(It must have about 2-3" of play).

What bugs me is why didn't the dealer catch this issue, and why should it be so loose if the bike is brand new. I didn't check at the shop cause of my noobness and shop is 150 miles away. Seems a new chain should fit perfect. Doesn't it just "stretch" after many miles of riding?

I just finished my first 100 miles on the bike and this weekend will do my first oil/filter change...and I thought I'd better tighten this chain up before I eat away my sprahkets.

The chain tensors dealies are in the "all the way forward" position...I wouldn't think I'd have to adjust them on such a new bike.

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LotsOfBikes

Posted
Posted

Back in 1996 when I purchased my 1995 XR650L, the chain was junk, or so I thought. I did not lubricate it properly, so it elongated rapidly. It was my First dirtbike in 14 years.

Consequently, that chain broke within 5 months of motorcycle purchase. Elongated far beyond tollerance.

Since that time, with experience and many races under my belt, I learned many things. One of which was how to properly lubricate a chain.

The location that you need to apply lubrication to an O-ring chain is the area that is not protected by the o-rings. That area is underneath the individual rollers that contact the valleys of the sprocket teeth. If you get adequate lubrication between the rollers and their underlying pins that they have contact with, there is no reason that you should not get one full year of adjustment free chain life from an O-Ring chain.

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Grand Master

Beyond The Pale

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The chains don't really stretch. With a non ring type chain, the wear happes fast. The crud grinds away at the metal of the chain and the resulting play makes the chain longer. This is incorrectly labeled "chain stretch," when it is really chain wear. Most ring type chains get a little looser in the first few rides. The lube moves around inside the links and the metal parts move into the final positions. This is normal. After this a sealed ringed chain should not require an adjunstment for a long time. Eventually crud finds it way into a ringed chain and it starts to wear requiring adjustment.

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Grand Master

Beyond The Pale

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Well said.

I did experience what I'd consider above average initial wear with this chain.

Brings me to my next question. Surely you guys have a preference on chain lube. Not sure I like the PJ1 Blue label I'm using. Sticky as hell...

Talk about a loaded question. Everyone has a different take on this question. Here's mine.

I don't like the oily lubes, like the PJ1 blue, for ring style chains. I either use something really light such as WD40 or a chain wax. About all you need to do is prevent rusting as the lube is inside the rings. All oily products do is attract dirt and dirt is the enemy of chains. The best thing about the ringed chains is that they will last a long time no matter what you use on them.

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wheelnut46

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I put the gear oil in an oil can and lube both sides of the chain as it sits on the rear sprocket. The oil can controls the flow better than the pointy tip of the gear lube bottle. I use a scrap piece of plywood under the chain in case it drips. It doesnt drip much because I only use a little.?

When I wash my bike after a ride I spray any oily spots with Simple Green. As a degreaser it works really well. I've even used it to clean oil off my driveway.:cheers:

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