What happens if you over tighten a motorcycle chain

What happens if a motorcycle chain is too tight? Ultimately, a tight chain on a motorcycle may break leaving you with no power. The chain tension on a motorcycle is never something you should neglect. The tension should be promptly adjusted if you suspect the chain is too tight on your bike. A drive chain serves a vital purpose on a motorcycle. The engine is what creates the automated power it needs which is then delivered through the chain to the back tire.

This makes it possible for the motorcycle to go. Without the chain, the motorcycle would remain stationary. Chain maintenance is basic knowledge among motorcyclists and is usually a simple task to perform. But because every motorcycle is different with specific specs pertaining to the drive train, some motorcyclists mistake how tight the chain needs to be on their bike and may tighten it too much. When a motorcycle chain is tight, several things may occur. First, a tight chain will cause the sprockets to wear out much more quickly.

The tightness of the chain will put more stress on them than usual which leads to the teeth getting worn down and possibly bending or warping the sprockets altogether. Do you think I'll do some damage if I ride it? I know the chain could snap, but I've already ridden her back home from the mechanic the person who tightened the chain too tight. Gary Well-known member Site Supporter. Princess's Man said:. Click to expand Tight chains lead to excessive friction and wear on the sprockets and counter shaft bearings.

You are always better to be slightly looser than spec than to be too tight, and try adjusting it with a load on the bike, as swingarm deflection will be a factor when the bike is loaded up.

Thanks for the replies! Yeah, I guess I do have time. But, my bike's at another location. I don't have access to my car for this appointment , which I would just use instead of taking my bike.

And, have never tightened my chain so don't have any experience , and still need to buy an axle socket CND Tire. Sorry, excuses, excuses I know. But, this meeting was last minute, and it's fairly time sensitive. Ok, so if there's a risk of doing some major damage, then I'll either take a cab or bus. But, if riding for 60km won't do much damage, then I'll take a chance.

The normal thumb rule location is the midway point between the front and the rear sprockets. Now you have two positions of the chain i the position before pushing it up full slack and ii the position after pushing it up no slack.

If you use a scale when you do this you can measure the vertical distance it moves up from its original position. If the measured chain slack is more than the recommended slack, the chain is loose and needs to be tightened to the correct slackness.

On the other hand, if the measured chain slack is less than the recommended slack, the chain is tight and needs to be loosened to the correct slackness.

This adjustment is done by moving the complete rear wheel towards the engine loosening the chain or away from the engine tightening the chain. Step 4 -To adjust the chain slack, loosen the axle nut slightly use leverage if you have a short wrench.

Step 5 -Normally, there will be an arrangement that allows the limited movement of the rear wheel assembly either towards the engine or away from the engine. The movement can be controlled as per the graduations and there will be a similar arrangement on either side of the rear wheel. It is important to move by the same amount on both sides.

After every adjustment, measure the slack, and do this till the slack is within the recommended range. It is always safe to keep the drive chain slack on the higher end of recommended slack.

Step 6 -When the chain slack is set properly, tighten all the bolts and locknuts. Check to ensure the proper alignment of the rear wheel. When you are checking the chain slack it will be better to take the readings 2 or 3 times and, before each measurement, move the chain on the sprockets.

You must get the same readings every time within an agreeable limit. If you get different readings, then inspect all the links of the chain, some links may not be right. You may use a chain-monkey to set your motorcycle chain slack to the recommended range, learn how to use it. In this article, we have discussed the different issues related to the motorcycle drive chain slack so we could understand why it is important to maintain a proper drive chain slack.

Too loose, though, and you risk a chain jumping off a sprocket; a slapping chain has the potential to damage moto-parts and rider-parts. Adjusting your bike chain is the quickest, most straightforward way to feel like an accomplished bike owner after reading your gas gauge and checking your tire pressure.

Looser than what your bike calls for is bad. But before I do, this is a process you should be doing every miles km. We love all bikes equally, but these instructions pertain to chains. I want to say this one more time to avoid any guilty feelings:. Another symptom of a loose chain on a motorcycle is a chain tug, a tugging feeling you feel when the bike keeps steady RPMs in a lower gear, which is another symptom of a loose chain. Chain tug generates a resisting force that pulls against your clutch.

But no, lucky for you I guess? Chain cleaning, lubricating, inspecting, measuring, and adjusting are routine moto-maintenance activities on a chain-driven motorcycle.

I know I already said this; not to sound like a squeaky chain, but you should be inspecting your bike chain every miles and more often if you ride in the dirt. Please also read our article about whether motorcycle engine braking is good or bad. Grossly simplified, power is transferring from your pistons to your rear wheel via your chain.