I purchased my bike about two months ago. I noticed the chain was very loose so I decided to tighten it. After tightening, I looked at the chain gauge attached to the bike on the chain guard and it looked like the rear sprocket was way past the "replace" portion of the gauge. The bike only has 14K on it. I have been reading past posts and it looks like a lot of people say the chain should last upwards of 25K. Any thoughts on this? I am assuming if my chain really is that worn, it will need new sprockets front and rear. The tension is such that it just barely touches the lower chain guard on the rear swing arm.
The wear indicator on VFR's is difficult to read. On my '99 VFR I got 18k with the OEM chain, sold the bike with 35k and the DID 'X' ring was still good. Years ago I took Suzuki's recommendation to replace the chain when the distance between 21 pins c-c exceeded (320mm) 12.6" on a 530 chain. I cut a piece of coathanger 12.6" long and hold it up against the lower chain run. Russ
Thx for the tips. Just in case anyone else has this problem: I visually inspected the front sprocket and it is in great condition. I brought the bike to a local shop and the guy said there were still a few thousand miles on the chain. Bottom line: the sticker "gauge" is tough to read and probably not that accurate.
I had a 94 and it went through chains very quickly. I wonder if the single sided swing-arm causes the chains to not last to long?
The single side swing arm is actually better for chains & sprockets. Unless the entire swing arm is bent, you know your chain is aligned. Could it be that the previos owner didn't do any preventive maintenance on the chain? Spend the $200 & get a new chain & sprockets. Go up two teeth in the back. If your 98 is like my 2000, 6th gear is pretty much useless at anything less than 75mph. I live in NJ so 75mph isn't really doing me much good. KC-10 FE out...
I have to agree with the gearing issue. On my 93, for around town, any gear higher than 4th is useless. But I think I will keep my stock gearing. As for the wear gauge, mine is missing. I just got done adjusting my chain. It was easier than I thought it would be. Might have to replace it in the near future though.
I don't think he did any preventative maintenance. Period. I am starting to find lots of little stuff that is just the result of being lazy. The bolts for the rear cowl cover (the thing that hides the second seat) are just bolts and not the stock ones that you can attach a net to. I noticed a bolt missing off of the rear cowl when I took it off. The coolant level was at its lowest in the reserve tank. The latest symptom is it is running really hot. Around town it will hang out at around 190-210. In the mtns it will hit 230. I posted another thread about my clock resetting. After reading the R/R threads I am pretty sure the excessive heat is not helping the the R/R. Not that happy . . . . Hmmm. Just read some of the forums on thermostat etc. and maybe 190-210 isn't too bad. Still seems hot to me.
I ignore the sticker and base my wear evaluation on sprocket condition alone. I only need to adjust tension once or twice a year and I lube every few days or every day if I'm riding a long way 200+ miles. I clean the chain and sprockets routinely which probably helps too. Re the temp issue Your bike should never hit 230deg if it is moving. I would flush the rads and install a new thermostat asap.
I to just watch the sprokets as thats a good indecator to whats going on, also do a side to side play to see how much the links have worn, Haven't swapped out a chain as yet as I never seem to have the bike long enough. last VFR I had I bought new, at 16K when i wasn't allowed to have it any more due in part by a drunk passing out, chain still had a lot of life left. I'd flush that raditor plus listen for the fan to come on, it should never reach those temps..
put on a scottolier..if the chain is lubricated properly it will last and last.. i just changed mine at 27000...
Quote from moved post: on 06-16-2006 @ 1:47PM frymann wrote: my .02: I agree with frymann. UI would also recommend replacing both sprockets and the chain so that they wear evenly. I moved most (if not all) posts regarding engine temp here: Engine Temp Thread Vinny
