My wheel keeps moving further and further towards the rear. If the chain keeps stretching I will soon be out of space. Is it possible to remove a link or two from the stock chain ?? Has anyone done it??
Created on: 07/03/13 02:51 PM
Replies: 12
streetracer
Joined: 12/10/12
Posts: 256
Can Stock Chain Be Shortened ???
07/03/13 2:51 PM
My wheel keeps moving further and further towards the rear. If the chain keeps stretching I will soon be out of space. Is it possible to remove a link or two from the stock chain ?? Has anyone done it??
hagrid
Location: pittsburgh
Joined: 02/16/12
Posts: 2210
RE: Can Stock Chain Be Shortened ???
07/03/13 4:52 PM
If your final drive (chain & sprockets) are still stock and you're running out of adjustment, then they are reaching the end of their life cycle.
To answer your question... yes. You can cut your stock chain and reconnect the ends with a rivet-type master link. But you should never need to unless you change sprocket diameters (smaller).
Hub
Joined: 02/05/09
Posts: 13723
RE: Can Stock Chain Be Shortened ???
07/03/13 5:00 PM
That's a yes and no. Say it's a brand new chain, you swap out sprockets and need it to fit = Yes, master link up and all that.
My chain is creeping back faster that I can adjust it = No, this is not something you cut and link up. These require a 12" pin to pin length so you can tell if the chain has reached its stretch. So this starts out as 12.0 for argument sake, then the wear, then you check pin to pin length again? And if you are now at 12.4 and the limit is 12.5, do you see how it would be a waste of time if you will only get 1 more fraction of an inch for it?
So no, do not swap a chain or sprockets that are accelerating that fast = Replace with all new.
* Last updated by: Hub on 7/3/2013 @ 5:01 PM *
streetracer
Joined: 12/10/12
Posts: 256
RE: Can Stock Chain Be Shortened ???
07/04/13 7:45 AM
Leave it to my wife !!! She said "Why dont you buy a larger rear sprocket? It will shorten the wheelbase and give you more acceleration. " I guess she does listen !!
* Last updated by: streetracer on 7/4/2013 @ 7:46 AM *
Hub
Joined: 02/05/09
Posts: 13723
streetracer
Joined: 12/10/12
Posts: 256
Rook
Joined: 03/28/09
Posts: 20605
RE: Can Stock Chain Be Shortened ???
07/04/13 8:24 PM
Is it possible to remove a link or two from the stock chain ?? Has anyone done it??
Schnitz sells a removable masterlink that the pins can be removed. The pins have threaded tips and a nut is what holds it in rather than mushrooming the head into a permanent rivet. I would prolly be more apt to use that on a race bike that the chain is removed very often. would be a bad scene to lose a nut on the road. bye bye chain.
My wheel keeps moving further and further towards the rear. If the chain keeps stretching I will soon be out of space.
If you are already stretched to the point you are running out of slot, I'm gonna bet you are way past spec. You have prolly been overtightening when you adjust the chain. You stretched it out prematurely. Have a look at my chain adjustment how-to. again, I don't know if the specs are the same for a 14r but the procedure and tools can be used just the same. When I adjust, I look for an inch and a half of slack. I measure the slack on the top run and then the bottom. Add top and bottom together. I do not apply much force when pulling on the chain to measure slack. Just a little pressure to see how much the chain moves. You should see the chain drooping when the bike is not moving. It should NOT be straight, that is way too tight. Do not be afraid to run a chain that looks loose when it is at rest. Centrifugal force will make it tighter and it gets more so the faster you go. A chain in motion makes its own tension. It would have to be very loose to fall off.
streetracer
Joined: 12/10/12
Posts: 256
streetracer
Joined: 12/10/12
Posts: 256
RE: Can Stock Chain Be Shortened ???
07/06/13 8:12 AM
Rook: My chain did not droop. Guess it is too tight. Only had to move the adjusting bolts half a turn and now it matches your specs. Seems too loose to me but rides fine. Thanks for the info.
streetracer
Joined: 12/10/12
Posts: 256
RE: Can Stock Chain Be Shortened ???
07/06/13 8:15 AM
HUB ????? It just hit me....YOU HAVE A WIFE ??? OMG...that poor woman !!! I nominate her for sainthood for sure !! Seriously though....can she translate some of your posts for us??
Hub
Joined: 02/05/09
Posts: 13723
streetracer
Joined: 12/10/12
Posts: 256
Rook
Joined: 03/28/09
Posts: 20605
RE: Can Stock Chain Be Shortened ???
07/07/13 7:55 PM
Only had to move the adjusting bolts half a turn and now it matches your specs.
My chain did not droop.
Im not an expert but i can tell you if the chain is straight and not laying on the chain guide atop the swingarm, that chain is too tight. when the rear suspension closes, that tight chain will have nowhere to go except stretch right there, right then. 15000 miles of stretch on one big bump. It is possible that the chain could snap which is often a sure crash. Or much wear is put on the bearings.
I never worry about my chain flying off because it looks like the pics in the tutorial posted above. you can't pull it off so it will surely not jump the sprocket with the wheel turning fast.
you will have an increased driveline lash with a looser chain. I would stick with the 1.3" ~1.5" spec.
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