F650 chain problem - any ideas?

[gnarlyb]

Hi all,

This is my first post so first of all let me introduce myself. I passed my direct access in February and have been having huge amounts of fun riding my 2000 F650GS around Cornwall. Have also managed to do my First Big Ride to Brighton which was a learning experience if nothing else.

Anyway, I recently tightened my chain because it was flapping around and banging on the centrestand. It's now got 3.5-4.5cm of slack, as recommended by the service manual, but it's been making a funny noise since. I got it up on the stand last night and rotated the wheel and noticed one of the chain links was catching as it came off the rear cog. It doesn't sound healthy at all and I don't want to ride it until I know what's up for fear of buggering anything up.

Sorry if this is a terribly elementary question but can anyone help?

 

[LivNorway]

Welcome!

I'm not the perfect person to help as my F650 has a belt (but that would solve your problem! ).
It seems to me you need a new chain.

Liv.

 

[bigchris]

Sounds like you've got a stiff link. Just squirt some WD40 into it to loosen it, and then work it with your hands to get it going again. Dont forget to spray the entire chain with lube too, regularly!

 

[thornley]

Does your chain have a split link or is it rivetted together? Poorly rivetted chains can have a stiff link due to over zealous rivetting. Check wheel alignment if you have recently adjusted the chain, adjusters should be equal both sides.

If you grip the chain as it passes over the rear sprocket and you can pull the chain away from the sprocket more than a few millimetres its probably worn out. Might be an opportunity to replace chain and sprockets. Keep on top of the adjustment and either invest in a Scotoiler or lubricate regulary with a good grade of non fling chain wax. Buy a decent X ring chain, shop around you should be able to replace chain and sprockets for less than £100.

 

[gnarlyb]

Thanks for the advice guys. Just got myself some Wurst high performance chain lube on the advice of the bloke in the bike shop and it seems to have solved the problem. Will be sure to replace the chain with an x-ring when the time comes.

 

[richc]

ATF is an excellent chain lubricant. Cheap too.

 

[(RIP) The Wilbur]

Sounds like you've got a stiff link. Just squirt some WD40 into it to loosen it, and then work it with your hands to get it going again. Dont forget to spray the entire chain with lube too, regularly!

If the chain has rubber "O rings" the WD40 will swell them & make things worse.

 

[komatias]

As Wilbur says, WD-40 destroys the o-rings. It also penetrates between them and removes the lubricant that was there since the factory. Not a very good thing actually. ATF or even some of your old engine oil is good enough. Use paint brush to apply at regular intervals and you chain will last alot longer.

 

[richc]

As Wilbur says, WD-40 destroys the o-rings. It also penetrates between them and removes the lubricant that was there since the factory. Not a very good thing actually. ATF or even some of your old engine oil is good enough. Use paint brush to apply at regular intervals and you chain will last alot longer.

I "paint" mine with ATF every time I fill up. Keeps it simple and the fillup provides a nice reminder of when to lube the chain.