How often are you adjusting your chain?

[mikeholzer]

My 92 FJ has 90,000 miles on it. PO reportedly replaced the chain just prior to my purchase in March of 2009. I can't speak for the brand or quality of the chain, but it seems to be of at least marginal quality, if not better than. I never thought to count the number of teeth on the sprockets, but I can say that at 75 mph on the speedometer (70 on my GPS), the bike is turning exactly 4500 rpm on the tach. I'm thinking that it's close to stock gearing.

My question is this: how often do most of you adjust your chain tension? I ride my bike to work 3-5 days each week, about 48 miles each way. I'm not accelerating hard or thrashing on it in any way, maintaining a clean 70 mph most of the time in order to ensure some economy and to avoid interaction with the local constabulary. I'm finding that I need to adjust my chain tension about every 800 miles or so, which is about every 2-3 weeks. I'm lubing the chain with each adjustment, and although I can't recall the product I'm using, I remember it being somewhat expensive and well recommended by the wonks at the local bike shop.

Does this frequency seem unrealistic to you? My last bike (1987 GPz 750) ate rear sprockets almost seasonally (my current rear sprocket is nearly pristine), but the chain held up phenomenally. I'm thinking that I may want to replace the chain this winter since I've eaten up a little over 1/2 of the adjuster length already, and I could use some advice on what brand and type of chain would hold up to frequent use. I'd like to continue running this bike until it hits 100k, then I hope to step up to the FJR or perhaps a Kowalski Concourse 14.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[racerman_27410]

that chain is stretching badly...

i have found the FJ is hard on chains regardless of your riding style..... i recommend the EK ZZZ chain....... it wont stretch out like your current chain is doing. it's not cheap but it will last. 


Kookaloo!


Frank

[Arnie]

I agree with Frank that you chain is stretching badly.
This is probably due to it being only a "standard" grade chain instead of "HEAVY DUTY PREMIUM" grade.  I've heard good things about the EK ZZZ chain, but have never used one.
I'm running a DID ZVM chain and that now has over 50,000 kms (30,000+ miles) on it and its still good for maybe another 5-10K kms.  I've only adjusted it back by about 3/16" since first installing it and sprockets.  I do use a semi-auto chain oiler though.
When you do replace the chain, replace the sprockets too or they will eat the chain quickly.

Cheers,
Arnie

[rktmanfj]

then I hope to step up to the FJR or perhaps a Kowalski Concourse 14.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Different maybe, newer, yes, but not necessarily a step up...

Randy T
Indy

[mikeholzer]

that chain is stretching badly...

That's what I was thinking, too. Maybe I'll have to step up before the end of the riding season.

Arnie, where did you find an oiler? I'd be pretty interested in adding something like that based on the amount of regular riding I'm doing.

Randy, you may be right. The FJ is certainly one of the finest bikes I've ever ridden, but I'm currently having a fetish for "new" and "different." I'd buy a brand new FJ if Yamaha still offered it, but at the moment I'm also attracted to the factory hard luggage that looks like it belongs on there.

[markmartin]

+ 1 on the EK ZZZ.  I took Franks advice a couple of years ago on the  EK and I've got about 4000 ?  miles on mine and have adjusted it once..not much either.  I've never spun the rear wheel,  wheelies etc.  Just ride and lube it regularly--commuting mostly.  I run it at about 3/4" play when the bike is on the center stand--the loose side of what the manual recommends I think.

[andyb]

Unfortunately my experience says that the FJ likes to destroy chains in short order if they're anything less than very, very good.  It's more expensive to have the better chains, but beats the crap out of having it chew the hell out of the cases when it wraps the countershaft up!

The ZZZ is a strong, strong chain.  Be aware that clip links aren't available for it though, so you'll need the ability to rivet it. 

To further improve your chain life, you can go up in size on both sprockets and retain roughly your original gearing.  Chains don't like that tight turn around the countershaft much.

[hpras]

I have no idea what chain I have on my FJ, but I am amazed at it's longevity.  It was the chain that came with the bike 35000 km ago.  I use chain wax, every 1000-2000km or after a ride in the rain.  I adjust maybe once a year, but more often than not it's when I replace my rear tire.  The longevity amazes me because I also currently have a Suzuki GSX400X and it's on it's second good quality chain in 10000km, and I previously had a little underpowered Seca 400 that was hard on chains also.  Must be a huge difference in strength between a 530 and 520 chain.

[carsick]

  Just ride and lube it regularly

Are you sure that's the right order? Cause I'm thinkin'... lube then ride. Afterwards might not help unless it has aloe in it.

[mikeholzer]

Actually, I think Mark has it right. My chain lube says to apply to a "hot" chain. Short of using propane, I'd ride it for 50 miles, then lube it.

[carsick]

Do I have to resort to smileys to express my wiseassness? Which one is the pervert smiley?
Doug

[andyb]

Normally you get it hot before you lube and ride it.

Oh, chains... nevermind.

[carsick]

Thank you Andy, sometimes I feel like no one understands me. Sniff.

[Arnie]

that chain is stretching badly...

Arnie, where did you find an oiler? I'd be pretty interested in adding something like that based on the amount of regular riding I'm doing.

Made it myself.  I'll take some pics and post them in the next couple of days.
Its really just a bottle to hold "chain & bar" oil that is set to siphon an oil drip onto the chain at the rear sprocket.  It has an inline valve to turn it on & off.  I try to remember to turn it on for 5 to 10 min after each fill-up.  I also try to remember to turn it OFF when I park - or I come back to a puddle :-(

[SlowOldGuy]

How often do I adjust my chain?

About as often as I lube it.  Once every 5 years whether it needs it or not.  There's a reason they use o-rings on the links.

Currently running a DID VM (they were out of the ZVM chains) with 30Kmiles.

My '93 still has the stock chain on it.
DavidR.