Overtightening A Chain

[papa_smurf49319]

Well i was going to get gas i had my buddy tighten my chain a bit, its a brand new set of o ring chain and sprockets. Well i got to the riding site and noticed that the chain was very tight and when i sat on it, it was impossible to wiggle it with your hand. Well it was hawling a little bit, but everything seemed fine besides the nosie and the back end being a little stiffer. Do you think it could of hurt anything in the tranny such as bearings and such, or would the chain just stretch faster. Also how tight do most of you tighten your chains!

[Bansh-eman]

it can cause the chain and sprokets to wear faster. if its SUPER tight it can cause issues with other parts but it has to be really bound up to do that in most cases

[KaosBanshee44]

gotta let those new chains break in before you really start riding hard. I usually sit on the bike and let a inch of play but you want to check it after a little bit of riding cause it will get lose after it breaks in.

[Animalman294]

Ya, you need to have some play in the chain otherwise it could snap when you jump or something and could take out other parts. My brother overtightened his and it snapped and took out his case saver and had to have the mounting holes for the case saver heliarched (sp) and retapped.........

[papa_smurf49319]

so should i loosen it up a bit, i dont do a whole lotta huge jumpin, but do ride in the whoops alot! I was just worring about the output shaft on the tranny that the front sprocket rides on, i dont want to tear that bearing or anything else up!

[Bansh-eman]

yes loosen it to have 1/2 in to 1in play while your sitting on the bike.

[Wildcardracing]

If overtightened it can damage your countershaft bearings and/or break causing damage to your case ect.

[dragbanshee]

No doubt loosen it, you dont want to take any chances I always put all my weight on the rear as Im adjusting my chain to make sure its not going to be to tight when I jump or ect;

[BellicoseBanshee]

I would adjust it correctly... :ermm:

[papa_smurf49319]

ya thats what i was worried about, the countershaft bearing! So whould i notice instattley if i had damaged it at all, i did hear some whining hawling noises when i first started riding! I would have went to the hardware store and picked up some bigger wrenches while i was up there and fixed it right away, but i always heard it would just stretch the chain faster, and if you were jumping it alot it might snap the chain!