Your Chain is Loose

[ParcNHawk]

I got told last week that my chain was too loose.

It was cute, and I didn't want to be a smart ass, so I thanked the person then proceeded to have a laugh after they left.

I checked it today... I mean sometimes it's really 12am and the broken clock is right.

It looks loose, right? Until you align the countershaft sprocket, swingarm pivot, and axle. Then it's strung like a banjo.

So if you think your chain is a bit loose, it's probably still too tight.

Get a chain roller and if you insist on using the Honda procedure for chain slack adjustment, loosen it to the "C" mark.

Gino has the best video to prove this.

Remember: it is chain SLACK ... NOT TENSION. The driving force provides tension, and ONLY when pulling. If there is static tension then your motor is going to suffer.

This is why we always say "your chain is too tight." Because it probably is.

[ParcNHawk]

https://www.hawkgtforum.com/forum/multimedia/videos/824628-hawk-gt-forum-video-library?p=824632#post824632

[Talon]

Good reminder. I often get the "your chain is too loose lecture" from the non Hawk owners. Funny thing is, the chain looks like it will flop off the sprockets, yet load the rear a little through a corner and it looks like this:

[SPA]

On a West Coast Hawk Rally I believe it was honda coaster that lost a chain in the twisty stuff.
so ... There can be too loose but more than likely he had some wear on his chain and sprockets that were also contributing to the mechanical malfunction.

[6]

Not sure i have ever seen a hawk with a chain that's too loose.

Know for sure i have never seen a hawk pitch a chain from being loose.


Like you implied bob, even amongst the most hardcore hawkers who know the chain situation well, there are still tight chains on some of our bikes. Now you have me wanting to go check mine.

[ricksax]

I just went through this when I changed rear sprockets. Parc is correct. When you get the chain right, it will appear too loose.

[riot]

Good reminder. I often get the "your chain is too loose lecture" from the non Hawk owners. Funny thing is, the chain looks like it will flop off the sprockets, yet load the rear a little through a corner and it looks like this:

I would like to add that if your too-tight chain is taut under suspension load (as shown in Talons pic), it will resist further suspension compression. Heeled over at speed would be about the worst time to face a suddenly stiffening suspension.

I’d be willing to bet too tight chain is also a cause of many chewed up counter shafts.

[ParcNHawk]

As much has this had been previously covered, a refresher seems to be in order every few years.

When checking your chain slack, check it in several spots. Roll the wheel around and note if the slack changes. Just one stiff link will make the slack vary.

Having a single very stiff link can make the chain appear far too loose, then stiffen to the point that you can feel notchiness in the countershaft bearing depending on where the link is the chain's rotation. If that link is too stiff to conform to the countersprocket then you could have problems with the chain jumping.

Having a centerstand or a rear wheel stand is invaluable to setting your slack correctly. -- and your centerstand doesn't even need to stay on the bike after the procedure.

[rpcraft]

We just went through a session of this on the facebook group as well last week. I tried to post Gino's video there in the media section but Faceshit wasn't having it. I've yet to figure out why that piece of shit software is still so popular with people.

[rogue555]

Ok I dug this up. Now do we have any measurements from the swing arm? I was freaking out because I set the chain too tight and I could feel (while riding) and hear the CS bearing (rolling in the garage) until I loosened the chain tension on my ride last night . Bike is on the center stand until I figure out the proper lack of tension.

[6]

Ok I dug this up. Now do we have any measurements from the swing arm? I was freaking out because I set the chain too tight and I could feel (while riding) and hear the CS bearing (rolling in the garage) until I loosened the chain tension on my ride last night . Bike is on the center stand until I figure out the proper lack of tension.

The easy, hard way to do it is pul the shock off, work the swingarm through its entire throw, set your tension at the tightest spot. Which I think is level.

Or the way I actually do it, I set it till it's loose, like loose to the point where I am damn sure it's going to come off, then go a little looser.. but I'm probably still too tight and need to pull the lower shock bolt and check..

[hawkati]

Funnily enough I had this about my 996 at Silverstone a couple of months ago. They say that 90%of communication is non verbal so it was instantly clear that matey said it so he could be a smart arse in front of his friends.
I could have discussed the aspects of tension under drive or slack being taken up as I sat on the bike. However, being the master of wit and repertoire I just told him to fuck off.

[Hawk GT]

Might was like a banjo on rear stand and something is howling like nobody's business so I removed speedo cable and "loosened" the chain. Came here because I knew it was a thing, and now I am certainly going to go out and loosen it again.

[Henway]

For me (and in the pics) the chain should ALMOST brush the swingarm when being pushed up on the Hawk is on its own weight. YMMV.

[nt650hawk]

NEVER had i had a chain fly off with my floppy chain!!!!!!