Sometimes motorcycles seem like they can last forever without having to do much for them. Many of us forget to maintain them, which can lead to catastrophic damage such as a chain stretching and slackening. If a motorcycle chain tightens and slackens, you will immediately lose the motive force that the motor is applying to the rear wheel and your motorcycle will lose power. It is possible for the chain to wrap around the rear wheel or jam on one of the sprockets, causing the rear tire to lock up and skid on the road.
If you are a motorcyclist, you need to know how to handle certain situations in case they occur, for example a chain that tightens and slackens during a ride. Knowing how to maintain your chain and how to deal with a chain that tightens and loosens can save your life in the future.
Motorcycle chains - General information
On the market, there are a whole bunch of motorcycle chains that meet specific needs. So, before you get started, we advise you to take a look at our complete guide on the subject.
What happens when a motorcycle chain tightens and relaxes?
It's easy to think you're invincible on a motorcycle, especially if you've never had an accident. While being a safe rider will keep you from accidents, as a motorcyclist you should always be on your guard, which includes listening to what's going on with your motorcycle. A chain that tightens and loosens can be catastrophic, so it is important that you know how to avoid it and how to deal with it if it does occur. Although this eventuality is not common among those who take care of their motorcycle, it is still possible.
When a motorcycle chain tightens and slackens, several scenarios can occur. You will lose power from your rear wheel because the chain is no longer providing the drive that the motor gives. The engine will continue to run, but you will not be able to accelerate. In fact, your motorcycle can start to decelerate if you don't go down a hill at all. You will usually hear a loud clicking sound and feel a slight jerk when a chain breaks.
The most likely scenario that will happen with the chain is that it will be thrown directly behind you. While not necessarily dangerous for you, it can be dangerous for drivers behind you as the chain can cause a tire or windshield to burst.
The second possible scenario, but less common, is that the chain wraps around rear wheel or gets stuck in the rear sprocket. This scenario is more dangerous than the first, as the rear wheel locks immediately, resulting in a sudden stop and a slight skid on the road.
How to manage a motorcycle chain that stretches and relaxes?
The treatment of a broken motorcycle chain depends a lot on how fast you go and how your chain reacts to the break. I'll walk you through the most common scenarios most people find themselves in during a chain break and how to deal with them.
Some people may not realize that their chain is tightening and slackening until they have walked a few hundred yards. They just wonder why they are losing potency. This is the best situation to be in if your chain breaks. Anytime your motorcycle loses power as you try to accelerate, you should always stop to see what is happening.
If the chain whips the back of your leg as you ride and injures you, stop immediately and call for help. You will need to deal with such an injury before you take care of your motorcycle.
If you are riding at low speed and your chain breaks causing the rear wheel to lock up, you will know it immediately from sudden slowing down and the rear wheel dragging.
It is possible to handle your motorcycle in this situation at low speed, so try to stop the motorcycle as soon as possible by exerting pressure on both brake levers. The motorcycle can wobble, so you should try to keep it as straight as possible while looking for a place to park. You can also keep your feet a little forward to support yourself in case you lose control of the bike.
What are the causes of the problem?
There are many reasons why a motorcycle chain stretches and slackens on a motorcycle, and all of them can be avoided with proper maintenance. Some people don't realize that motorcycle maintenance is also about keeping them safe as a driver.
That being said, the main reason why a chain is tend and this relaxes on a motorbike is the lack of maintenance. It takes a lot for a chain to stretch and loosen, so if this is happening, someone has seriously neglected to take care of it. There are a few exceptions, like the company that made it or the mechanic who didn't tension it properly. Always be sure to use high quality chains on your motorcycle and consult a reputable mechanic.
If the chain is not maintained properly, several factors can cause it to break. The first thing we're going to talk about is rust. It is okay to have a little rust on a chain because it cannot always be prevented, but a large amount of rust should be avoided. A large amount of rust forms due to lack of lubrication. When a link is sufficiently rusted, it becomes weak and has the potential to break.
Chain lubricant available on Amazon
The other big reason a motorcycle chain tightens and slackens is because of the wrong tension. If the chain is too loose, it can misalign the pinions, which could cause a jam. If the chain is too tight, the links are under stress and the weakest link may break at some point.
Our recommended products for a motorcycle chain that stretches and relaxes:
To conclude, here are some recommended products on Amazon:
