Chains seems to slacken off too quickly

[Tarzan]

Hi Everyone,

I own a 1998 Suzuki GSXF 750 and have been having a lot of problems with the chain slack. I do around 250 miles per week in all weathers.

I adjust the chain every weekend but within 100 miles or so of adjusting it to the correct slack it is already 'stretching' to around 40-50mm of freeplay, way outside the recomended slack (which is 20-30mm).

Any suggestions as to what could be causing this? I am thinking there are two options:
1) the chain and sprockets are shot and need urgent replacement.
2) the rear axle bolt is shot and despite being tightened to the correct torque it is loosening as I ride.

Has anybody got any advice on this? Any feedback is welcome.

Thank you.

[BuzZz]

Adjust the chain to spec, then mark the adjustment slider and the swingarm at a common piont on both sides of the wheel. Use a paintpen or steal some nail polish for this. Then see if the wheel moves as the chain slackens off when you ride.

It sounds like your chain and sprockets are toast though.......

[Tarzan]

Thanks for the quick advice BuzZz.
I'll give that a go and see what happens.

Cheers.

[Gummiente]

What Buzz said and add the following: How many km's on the chain? Was it lubed regularly and with what? When you adjust it are you doing so at the tightest point of the chain? All of these have a direct effect on chain life and performance.

[Tarzan]

The bike's done around 15,700 miles, about 4,000 of them I've put on. I'm not sure if it's the original chain but I suspect it is.
While I've cleaned and lubricated regularly, carefully adjusted it, I've got no idea whether the previous owners took the job as seriously as I have.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if the chain was finished but it was concerning me just how often I am having to adjust it.
I'll keep an eye on it over the next few days and see what happens.

[Gummiente]

The bike's done around 15,700 miles, about 4,000 of them I've put on.

Chances are pretty good that the chain is shot, then. It's been my experience that as soon as you have to adjust it every couple hundred km's, it means that it is at the end of its life cycle. The constant need for adjustment at this point means that the rollers and pins are overstressed and are literally stretching to the breaking point. It's in your best interest to get it changed pronto. Also, you'll need to spring for a new set of sprockets. They have worn with the chain, so to put a new chain on worn sprockets will halve the life of the chain because it will wear rapidly to "fit" into the sprocket. You CAN get by with just replacing the chain, but it really isn't recommended. And that's one of the drawbacks of a chain drive - it can get pricey to replace!

[huh]

those 750 katana's or solid bikes. the chain is probally shot. you dont want your chain to tight. really should be at 1 1/2" so about 40mm. anything under 35mm is too tight. how much shock do you put on the chain??? do you like to snap the throttle open in low gear?like to wheelie? get my point. that kind of riding can really stretch a chain fast.

how do the sprockets look?

if the conclusion is worn chain. replace the sprockets and chain as a set.

i dont care what anybody says 7/8" is way to tight. better to be a little loose then tight on this. to tight of chain can cause handling issues and restrict swing arm movement and you can crack the housing around the counter shaft. how does that sound. the 750 kat has just enough tourqe to do just that.

[Tarzan]

It's definately the chain. I put the nail varnish in blobs around the alignment markers, no movement at all so you were all right. The chain is finished. Time for a new chain/sprocket set!
Thanks for the advice everyone.