How do you tell if your chain is stretched?

MattCA · 11-07-2007, 01:38 PM

I had my neighbor tell me my chain is stretched. He builds dune buggys and is a desert freak but I dont trust that drunk lol. Just want to check myself before I order a new one. Thanks.

tigmaster · 11-07-2007, 02:25 PM

well, if this is for any 125/250 2 stroke or 250f/450f then it is as follows. they suggest hanging a 20lb weight on the bottom side of your chain. make sure it is in neutral. then measure the distance between 20 of the pins. it should be somewhere between 12.50 to 12.53 inches. if it is more than 12.72" replace it. also as a general rule of thumb, 3 fingers right behind the chain slider should just be able to fit with the bike off the ground on a stand. and to tell if your sprocket is worn, grab a pin of the chain on the sprocket and try to pull it away from the sprocket. if you can see more than 1/2 the tooth, its ready to be replaced. this measure really isnt affected by chain tension so tightening your chain will not fix a worn sprocket. hope that helps.

MattCA · 11-07-2007, 04:59 PM

Here's some pics if you could give me your opinion. Should I replace or can I just adjust it? Thanks tig you always help lol. Oh ya, its a yz125

tigmaster · 11-07-2007, 05:10 PM

i wouldnt be able to tell for sure. if you have some more room on the chain tensioners, take go ahead and remove some of that slack. right now that chain is way too lose. it could just be because it has stretched a little bit or it could be out of spec. either way tighten it up a bit. like i was saying. you want to just be able to fit 3 fingers between the chain and the swingarm, right behind the chain guide. look at the pic included to see where you should put your fingers. if you cant get it that tight with the tensioners then the chain is gone for sure, but either way, it has too much slack right now.

wr250f95 · 11-07-2007, 05:49 PM

it looks out of adjustment but not stretched.

MattCA · 11-07-2007, 06:54 PM

yea im probably gonna die huh lol. i dont think there is too much more i can adjust it so it might be shot. Ok maybe i will try adjusting it or have someone do it with a chain adjuster tool. i need someone to replace my fork seals anyways. thanks guys, i appreciate it a lot.

wr250f95 · 11-07-2007, 06:57 PM

you dont need a tool to adjust the chain, what bike is this on?

tigmaster · 11-07-2007, 07:24 PM

ya, there are bolts on the ends of the swingarm.

wr250f95 · 11-07-2007, 07:37 PM

I wasnt sure about what kind of bike, some have snail type adjusters.

tigmaster · 11-07-2007, 07:57 PM

its a yz125.

11-07-2007, 01:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
MattCA C Rider Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 66 iTrader: (0)	How do you tell if your chain is stretched? I had my neighbor tell me my chain is stretched. He builds dune buggys and is a desert freak but I dont trust that drunk lol. Just want to check myself before I order a new one. Thanks.

11-07-2007, 02:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
tigmaster Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Missouri, United States Posts: 7,526 iTrader: (1)	well, if this is for any 125/250 2 stroke or 250f/450f then it is as follows. they suggest hanging a 20lb weight on the bottom side of your chain. make sure it is in neutral. then measure the distance between 20 of the pins. it should be somewhere between 12.50 to 12.53 inches. if it is more than 12.72" replace it. also as a general rule of thumb, 3 fingers right behind the chain slider should just be able to fit with the bike off the ground on a stand. and to tell if your sprocket is worn, grab a pin of the chain on the sprocket and try to pull it away from the sprocket. if you can see more than 1/2 the tooth, its ready to be replaced. this measure really isnt affected by chain tension so tightening your chain will not fix a worn sprocket. hope that helps. __________________ --'03 CRF450r-- --FMF Pipe, Pro-Tech Revavle-- --Vortex Basket With Tusk Disks And HP Springs-- --Pro Taper Triple Clamps And Bars-- --Devol Full SP With Moose HGs-- --Renthal 13/50 With R1 Chain-- --Now It Is The End, Probably...-- --'06 CBR F4I-- --Bone Stock-- Check Our Latest How-To Here

11-07-2007, 05:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
wr250f95 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,832 iTrader: (1)	it looks out of adjustment but not stretched. __________________ "LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING'...HOLY S**T... WHAT A RIDE!" this, is why I ride.

11-07-2007, 06:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
wr250f95 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,832 iTrader: (1)	you dont need a tool to adjust the chain, what bike is this on? __________________ "LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING'...HOLY S**T... WHAT A RIDE!" this, is why I ride.

11-07-2007, 07:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
tigmaster Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Missouri, United States Posts: 7,526 iTrader: (1)	ya, there are bolts on the ends of the swingarm. __________________ --'03 CRF450r-- --FMF Pipe, Pro-Tech Revavle-- --Vortex Basket With Tusk Disks And HP Springs-- --Pro Taper Triple Clamps And Bars-- --Devol Full SP With Moose HGs-- --Renthal 13/50 With R1 Chain-- --Now It Is The End, Probably...-- --'06 CBR F4I-- --Bone Stock-- Check Our Latest How-To Here

11-07-2007, 04:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
MattCA C Rider Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 66 iTrader: (0)	Here's some pics if you could give me your opinion. Should I replace or can I just adjust it? Thanks tig you always help lol. Oh ya, its a yz125

11-07-2007, 06:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
MattCA C Rider Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 66 iTrader: (0)	yea im probably gonna die huh lol. i dont think there is too much more i can adjust it so it might be shot. Ok maybe i will try adjusting it or have someone do it with a chain adjuster tool. i need someone to replace my fork seals anyways. thanks guys, i appreciate it a lot.

11-07-2007, 07:37 PM	#9 (permalink)
wr250f95 Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,832 iTrader: (1)	I wasnt sure about what kind of bike, some have snail type adjusters. __________________ "LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT, SHOUTING'...HOLY S**T... WHAT A RIDE!" this, is why I ride.

11-07-2007, 07:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
tigmaster Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Missouri, United States Posts: 7,526 iTrader: (1)	its a yz125. __________________ --'03 CRF450r-- --FMF Pipe, Pro-Tech Revavle-- --Vortex Basket With Tusk Disks And HP Springs-- --Pro Taper Triple Clamps And Bars-- --Devol Full SP With Moose HGs-- --Renthal 13/50 With R1 Chain-- --Now It Is The End, Probably...-- --'06 CBR F4I-- --Bone Stock-- Check Our Latest How-To Here

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