I was cleaning and adjusting the chain on the V-Strom and after I made the chain adjustment noticed that the chain would get tighter when when I turned the back wheel in a different spot from where I had made the adjustment from. The bike is new and has 2,000 miles on the OD. I installed a 16 tooth sproket a thousand mile ago but I can't see that being the problem. I noticed that if I run the bike on the center stand in 1st gear with rear wheel turning that the runout of the rear sprocket is not perfect, out slightly and nothing I can feel when riding. The bike nerver sees off road and has never been dropped so I'm sure it's been like this since new.
Ruggybuggy
Tight Spot on Chain? Normal?
Mine does the same thing, and my rear sprocket doesn't run true either. I have 8,000 on mine, and it hasn't been a problem
I wouldn't worry about it a bit, if I were you. Your avatar, on the other hand, is very troubling to me:eek6:
Chains wear unevenly. From the service manual:
Count out 21 pins (20 pitches) on the chain and measure the
distance between the two points. If the distance exceeds the
service limit, the chain must be replaced.
Drive chain 20-pitch length
Service Limit: 319.4 rnrn (12.57 in)
If the service limit is reached on any 20 links, it's time to replace the chain.
Count out 21 pins (20 pitches) on the chain and measure the
distance between the two points. If the distance exceeds the
service limit, the chain must be replaced.
Drive chain 20-pitch length
Service Limit: 319.4 rnrn (12.57 in)
If the service limit is reached on any 20 links, it's time to replace the chain.
No Biggie
Bike chains almost invariably have a "tight" spot and a "loose" spot. It's so common that most how-to instructions on tightening a chain make a point of having you roll the chain to it's tight spot and adjusting it there.
Bike chains almost invariably have a "tight" spot and a "loose" spot. It's so common that most how-to instructions on tightening a chain make a point of having you roll the chain to it's tight spot and adjusting it there.
From what I was told, all sprockets are a touch off-center, so you can find a tighter spot on the chain where the loop is a touch longer for both, just adjust it at the tightest spot and you're good.
It would be very unusual to have an out of round sprocket. It's almost always uneven chain wear.
As it was told to me... the sprocket is not out of round, but just the center point is not dead-center... apparently on a brand new bike with 17 kms on it, you will still find a tighter point on the chain. This is what I was told by a motorcycle mechanic who teaches basic motorcycle maintenance.
Maybe he's just off-kilter on it, but since he's seen it on new bikes and old alike, it would make sense.
Maybe he's just off-kilter on it, but since he's seen it on new bikes and old alike, it would make sense.
Thanks for all the replies. I never really noticed this on my KLR or past bikes but I was never as picky with them as I am with the V-Strom.
Very common with chains, don't worry, been adjusting them for years. There will ALWAYS be a tight and a loose measurement. Just try to keep the average within spec to the loose end. From my experience the difference is usually no more than 1/8 to a 1/4 inch or so on a newer chain. 
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