Chain tension discussion!

[minimotorider]

Too loose and the chain comes off, too loose it will break?

I want to see exactly what is TOO tight and what is too loose.
I see some bikes where the chain is vibrating up and down when the bike is on idle.

I want to see what people run.

Mine i do quite tight, but the back wheel still spins ok.

[Glen]

chain should deflect 1.5-2 times the chain height itself. never broken a chain or pinion chinese or euro

too loose and itll spin free but youll root the chain because it will be forever picking up slack and loosening it again possibly snapping pinions

too tight and you load up the motor a ton and will stretch that chain tons and quick

but most importantly is getting the chain 100% aligned. ive made new spacers on every 1 of the bikes ive owned because im not happy there aligned also make sure when you adjust it the wheel is 100% straight by measuring the distance from the back of the swingarm to the center of the shaft.

and the zocchi chains are stronger then the bzm

[mac90]

the correct tension is one thing the other is lubrication & alignment
if the sprocket is off center you will get that loose tight chain effect when turning the back wheel

i also use a cheap as chips / reject shop builders lazer lever that runs a dead straight line from sprocket to sprocket a great tool for $6

[dazbbws]

ive made new spaces too on the old mans lathe, brass, but i noticed when i machined it up, i went from a big size to a size that fits perfect to the berring, but like.. that small round metal part in the middle so i do pop them ^^ ..makes sence in my head, i think i shall post a picture sometime soon? but yeah agreed! if not 100% lined sprocket and pinion.. snappige! done that one on my test track

[TOchris]

5mm of play

[Benny88]

Does 5mm of play mean 5mm of slack? Cos im pretty sure no matter how tight my chain is it will always stretch more than 5mm if I apply some pressure in the the middle part between the front pinion and back sprocket...