Can a keen eye look at this, doesnt look right...

[Kris]

Guys, ive put the chain kit on and have used this fancy EK master link which was easy to use but I might have tightened the bolts too tight (it said as far as you can go, guess im strong)

Anyway, as a result it feels the master link is stiff and doesnt roll over the front sprocket nicely, as this photo shows you can see its kinda kinked.. Moving the wheel through my hands you can hear/see ever so slightly.

Am I right in saying the chain will loosen up? Ive not test ridden it yet.

Ive given it about 25-30mm slack..

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/3794186273_6cd3f2eb23_b.jpg

[zRoYz]

Firstly was it correct joining link for chain there can be very slight differences. It should be ok because the links have small stop shoulders biult into pins that once pressed into place wont enclose any further. The amount the seal is compressed can make link feel tight after installation. Unless dimension of joining link you used doesn't 100% match chain you used then there might be a problem as there are different links for different grade chains.

I would simply lube the link very well & take bike for test ride even running on race stand will do for a while & then reinspect.

[Captain]

Can you straighten the link using just your fingers? How tight is it?

[Kris]

Roy, yeah i made the bolts really tight. Basically, its a screw type master link, it has bolts that compress the link, then you snap off the ends and put a tiny o ring over the end. I think the over tightening of the bolts compressed it so much so its stiff.

Its definitely the right link for the right chain, confirmed 100%

Captain, yep If i tape it with a rubber mallet or press with my fingers really hard it straights out...

[dilbee]

where is the the clip? the clip also has to face with the pointy part back wards as the chain will spin and it wont come off.

[dilbee]

wiggle it a bit back and forth with ya fingers and see if it becomes straight.
If you think its a bit too tight just stick a flat screw driver in the between the links to open it slightly.

[Kris]

Ill try that dilbee. Just ran the bike up to 30km/hr on the stand theres no noises and it feels fine... but then theres no load.

Ive noticed the chain has tight and slack spots, in the slightest spot theres maybe 10-15mm of slack, in the slackest spot, maybe 30mm.. Is this ok?

Manual recommends 25-30mm

Should I have tight/slack spots in a new chain?

[dilbee]

your tight spot should be where you see how much your chain should move up and down. Try 1/4 a screw on your chain adjusters and see how that goes?

[Nuff]

take it for a ride, then you will know if it's good or not

[Kris]

Took it for a 5km ride around the backstreets, feels fine. Actually its a shit load quicker thats for sure using the new sprockets!

I cant hear any noises or anything out of place. I think Ill tinker a bit more with the adjusters.. The link appears to have slightly loosened up a bit..

[dilbee]

sounds all good then. Just put that clip so as not to have the chain come apart.

[zRoYz]

sounds all good then. Just put that clip so as not to have the chain come apart.

:confused1: there is no clip the link used is a quick rivet type that uses interference fit to lock together.

[Kris]

Yep, Roy has got it! No clip..

Its the EK Screw type master link..

I think ill fiddle more with the adjusters...is it right for a new chain to have slack/tight spots, i thought that only occured with worn chains?

So adjust for 25mm at the tightest spot?

[James]

Took it for a 5km ride around the backstreets, feels fine. Actually its a shit load quicker thats for sure using the new sprockets!

I cant hear any noises or anything out of place. I think Ill tinker a bit more with the adjusters.. The link appears to have slightly loosened up a bit..



Strap a torch to it did you?

[dilbee]

:confused1: there is no clip the link used is a quick rivet type that uses interference fit to lock together.

well that explians it then. My RK chain had a clip.

[Kris]

Strap a torch to it did you?

LOL, James ive got some good backstreets round here - no one even sore me ;)

Dilbee, yep! :D

Any input on change adjustment? Its a pain to get right.

[zRoYz]

A new chain can have tight spots it's just the same as what you have found with doing master link, some rivets are tighter than others. The chain itself once used & has had some heat cycles should lose the tight spots. An old chain with tight spots does it due to overheating & bad lubrication so links are rusty or seals have perished.

Your better to setup chain first up a little loser till it beds in because a tight spot can cause damage to chain & limit suspension travel etc.

[Kris]

Thanks Roy, so ill find the tightest spot and loosen it out to 30mm.... Sorry for all these stupid questions, first time ive ever done this :D Its been a learning experience!

[WET4URacing]

could u have got a cheaper chain and sprocket?

[Kris]

5.35am wetty, did you shit the bed? Same cost as the vortex, driven kit. EK chain, tried and tested and used by your kawasaki mates in the motogp . I thought you'd be happy. You must have one tolerant wife...

[Thunderace]

Have a look between the inside and outside plates of the chain for the joining link and another link and compare the gap, if the gap on the joining link is a lot closer, than you have tightened the link too much and are squashing the O/X/W ring inbetween the two plates and this will damage the o-ring and cause premature wear

[Kris]

Thanks thunderace, ill do this.. Ive gotta take the bike over to the shop so ill get their eye over it.. if i stuffed the screw type link from overtightening then ive got a spare rivet link ill get them to throw on!

[Pict]

How are you transporting the tracky?

[Kris]

Ute mate ;)

[spanky158]

utegate?

[James]

utegate?

:lmao::dohsmiley:

[Kris]

You clowns :P

[jasonbw]

Actual mechanics (opposed to me) can correct me here...

You want to know if you've squished the plates down TOO much... too much will make it kink and the link will not be free, will possibly let grit in and might not let the lube actually lubricate the pins so it could overheat and fail.. kinda not good if it's too squashed. (ever heard of the expression; weakest link in the chain?)

Grab a set of verniers, measure how thick the chain is (outside of the plate you can see to outside of the plate you can't see) then compare that with the plate's you squished in with the rivet kit.

What's the diff between the two?

If it's too much then no drama, you just cut that joining link off and use another joining link to join them properly, this time not peening the two rivets as much (usually 1 full turn will be enough), but if your using a joining like the EXACT same as the chain (i.e. GXW joining link on a GWX chain) then aim for the exact same plate to plate measurement.

[Kris]

jason, i replaced the master link today - it was far too tight :) All sorted now!

[jasonbw]

Good stuff, it's a shit when you get it wrong but it's a great feeling when you know it's right... last think you want when riding at track speeds is to wonder if you should have done something different

[Kris]

Exactly :D Replacing the link was the best bet!! Bike all ready now :D

[Mozzie]

It will be fine.

[WET4URacing]

5.35am wetty, did you shit the bed? Same cost as the vortex, driven kit. EK chain, tried and tested and used by your kawasaki mates in the motogp . I thought you'd be happy. You must have one tolerant wife...


was up early coz i was spannering at the creek . had to get all the fairings to the freight depot on way too circuit. dont think the green team used that spec chain either. race bike should always be double gold . vortex is not a high grade product to aspire to. RK and renthal or afam is the minimum we all should use.
oh yeh and no wife.or mortgage

[dazzler]

oh yeh and no wife.or mortgage


living the dream wetty.... good to see :ayyy:

there are a few of us here jealous, im sure!

[*Oggy*]

living the dream wetty.... good to see :ayyy:

there are a few of us here jealous, im sure!


Ive managed to loose the wife.... how to loose the mortgage ???