Chain help pleaseeee

[Ataylor0]

Hi guys,

Now its a bit warmer, i wanted to go for a ride..
Checked my bike over and the chain is very loose. About 7/8cm slack.

But i cant tighten it. the tightening nuts are as tight as they can go so it can't get tighter..

How the hell do i tighten it now?

Cheers

[Tomac]

That is frustrating! But you don't say how old the chain is, it could be time for a new one.

If it's not stretched too much (though it sounds like it has), you could take a link out to shorten the chain.

[kiske]

Probably a good idea to replace it, anyway?

Maybe even push for a 520?

[LithCS]

Like the guy above said, it's probably due to the chain being old and worn out, best to replace it and save yourself some extra costs due to wearing out the sprockets faster.

Or.. you could take out a link, which will up the costs...

[omnideuce]

taking out a link won't up the costs. It's very easy.

Take off the chain, see how much sideways flex it has. If it bends sideways much at all, then it's time to replace it and removing a link to shorten the chain will be dangerous.

[Joshh]

Atay, your going to need a new chain, while your at it you might want to check/change your sprockets.

[davedebekker]

Or.. you could take out a link, which will up the costs...

Yep, just take out a link.

[DarkNinja75]

There's a few things I won't joke about. One is a person's safety.

Chains stretch with use, and once they reach a certain point they need to be replaced. By suggesting you remove a link instead of replacing an extremely worn chain, you're making a potentially fatal suggestion. If that chain snaps on the freeway, or in the middle of a turn, it could cause the rider to crash. It could also shoot through the engine casing and destroy the motor. Or through the engine casing and through the rider's leg.

If your chain is to the point where you can't adjust the rear tire to push it back any further, then your chain should have been replaced a long time ago. The adjustment on every bike's chain that I have ever seen recommends replacing the chain long before adjustment runs out.

Also, stick with a stock size chain. Smaller chains wear out up to twice as fast and save you a couple pounds at most (cost and weight). Only racers should switch chain sizes for the weight savings.