Loose Chain

I have a 1982 XJ550 Maxim and my chain is really loose. I've had it come off on me while riding. The chain tensioner screws are as far as they can go and the chain is still loose. I can't find anything else thats wrong, but then again i'm still kind of new to motorcycles. Please help.

 

It's probably time for a new chain. Likely you need sprockets too.

Look carefully at the sprockets. If the teeth appear at all hooked they are junk.

 

Do chains stretch over time?

 

Yes, then it starts wearing on the sprockets. Making them hook, then short little pointy spikes on the sprockets.

 

If it's that loose and the adjusters are bottomed out, you ARE going to need a new chain and sprockets. SOON. If you throw a chain at speed, it can come up and destroy your engine (or at least damage it beyond repair) or worse, wrap around something and CRASH YOU RIGHT QUICK. Don't put this off, you can get seriously hurt.

 

Don't worry I havn't used my bike since then, and luckly i wasn't going to fast. Thanks for the replies and will order a new chain and sprocket. I'll get back to you guys after I get it installed.

 

Order both sprockets and a chain.

It's very unusual to have a worn (stretched) chain without sprocket damage. From the amount your adjusters are out it's pretty much certain the sprockets are worn.

If you don't replace both sprockets the chain will wear prematurely and ruin your new sprocket.

 

On the Seca 550's the chain will usually throw itself into the starter and break the starter loose from its perch on the engine. When that happens there is two locations where it will mount to the chain cover and one to the cases. Usually you will need new cases when that happens. I have had this happen to me twice, both times at freeway speeds.

Sean

 

You're not supposed to allow the two tension and alignment turn bolts to even approach the end of the gradients.
They are there to let you visually know the conditions of the Chain and Sprockets.
As you begin to close-in on 3/4th of the adjustment; you know you've approached the "Life" of the Chain or the Sprockets.

If you have a Chain Drive Bike; you're supposed to do a "Chain Lift Test" on a regular basis.
There is an allowable amount of slack to the Chain that you need to test for.
When the Slack exceeds whatever the Maximum amount allowable for your Model Bike ... you loosen the back-end and remove it.

Once the Indicator passes the 3/4 Mark ... the wear on the Chain and Sprockets is accelerated due to the "Fish-hooking" that occurs to the Sprockets.
At once it becomes evident that the Sprocket teeth are deformed; you replace the parts well BEFORE the situation becomes dangerous.

 

Just went through this on my '81

http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=12754.html

What a difference with the new spockets & chain.
Get the studs, nuts, bolts and retaining piece while you're at it.

 

beowolfe3, what is the MILEAGE on this bike? As you can probably tell by everyone's reaction, we're all a bit aghast at the fact you've managed to wear out a chain to this degree... Once you get all your parts and get everything back together, if you have any questions about getting it properly adjusted, please ask. It is a good idea that you have stopped trying to ride the bike until it's fixed.

 

I have about 9,000 miles on it. I bought it off a guy about 8 months ago.

 

What did you do to the Chain in those 9,000 Miles?
Chain Lube?
Oil?
Clean and re-lube?

You can get a Brand New Chain and ruin it buy not taking care of it.
The Chain is a high-maintenance component.
Cleaning, lubing, spraying and slack adjustments are regular maintenance chores for those who have Chain Drives.

Never having to deal with all that stuff again was a MAJOR selling feature when Yamaha introduced it lines of Shaft Drive Models.
We get to listen to the Middle Gear whine but messing-around with Drive Chain maintenance went bye-bye for most of the XJ-Crowd!

Thank Heavens!

 

I've had nothing but chain-drive bikes for 40+ years, it's really not that big of a hassle. You simply can't just forget about it.

 

Another thing to consider. The previous owner may have replaced the chain and not cut it to the proper length. So the adjustment may have been on the further end to begin with.

I would double check the length and condition of the chain and look over the sprockets. If they aren't screwed up, see about getting the chain cut to the proper length.

 

Good point, but I'll bet it's the original chain. To check chain/sprocket wear: Grasp the pin of a chain link that is on the back sprocket in the 3:00 position, and pull it at 90 degrees AWAY from the sprocket (in other words, straight back.) If more than ONE HALF of the adjacent sprocket teeth are exposed, then the chain (and sprockets) are worn out. If NOT, then you very well may need to simply re-size the chain.