Chain stretching...

Motorcycling
1

My DRZ400SM has Off-Road wheels (I think from a DRZ400S), with a 44 tooth rear sprocket. I used the original chain from the SM wheels (which have a 41 tooth rear sprocket), and it was OK - the rear wheel was on the front of the adjustment rather than the back, but it wasn’t too tight, looked OK and worked well. Now some six months (and less than 1000 miles) later, it appears that the chain has stretched quite a bit, and is too loose. I could probably adjust the wheel back to tighten the chain, but I think it’s probably time for replacement.

I used the original chain with the idea that I would be able to swap between wheels without swapping the chain every time. However, that hasn’t happened, the bike has stayed on knobblies ever since I swapped them over! I’ll probably sell the SM wheels (any takers?), and just keep the off-road wheels on permanently. So, my questions:

  • What length of chain should I go for? The “standard” length for the S model? What length is that exactly?
  • Should I swap sprockets too? I got a new rear sprocket when I swapped the wheels over – no point changing a six month old one right? It’s not showing signs of wear (to my decidedly untrained eye). Not sure on the front, will take a look when I undress the bike, but if it looks OK…
  • Any recommendations on an inexpensive but solid chain-breaker?
  • Is this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/D-I-D-1265112D-Standard-Chain-Connecting/dp/B006WW2N78) the right kind of chain? Or do I need an O-Ring chain? Or an X-Ring chain? Or something completely different?

Cheers,

-simon

2

I use this kit from Squaredeals CHAIN TOOL Moto Cam chain splitter and riveter ‘O’ & ‘X’ ring £35.00

Split and riveted two chains now and it shows no sign of wear, I use a grinding wheel on a 240v drill to grind off the riveted pin heads before pressing the pins out :wink:

Check the stretch specification tolerance for the chain, found in the owners/service manual (for a DID 525 chain this is <321 mm measured, under load, between the centres of 21 pins). If the chain is within tolerance just remove two or three links as necessary and re-fit it by means of a soft link and your good to go with a minimum of hard earned.

edit: If the chain needs replacing my first choice would be ‘X’ ring, 2nd choice ‘O’ ring, wouldn’t give a standard chain the time of day due to maintenance/wear issues.

3

Forgive my ignorance but why not adjust the rear wheel out? Chains are expected to stretch over time and this is why the rear wheel can be seated slightly further back in this event…

4

szimon…
my boss still has his renthal sprockets that are brand new. still in packaging. he is looking to ssell. fits drz400 so should be dzr400 too.