I stupidly neglected to check my chain after I purchased my 2022 T100 (with 400 miles on the bike) in November last year, (2023). I had the first service done by a dealer this spring. The bike had appox. 600 miles on it. At the same time, I paid the dealer to mount and balance a new set of tires on the bike, so the rear wheel was off the bike during the work. I made the assumption that the dealer would clean and adjust the chain if needed as part of the first service. Or, at least let me know if the chain adjustment was way out of spec. I was giving the bike a pre-ride inspection recently and I discovered that the chain is dirty and very very loose. Way out of spec. My question is - should the dealer have adjusted the chain? Is that not part of the first service? Or, should they have told me the chain needed to be adjusted? I realize it is my responsibility to keep an eye on my chain. But, still ...
The first service at 600 miles is usually just an oil and filter change. I'm surprised your chain needs adjusting at such low mileage, however if that's 600 miles of neglect then maybe so but still seems unlikely. I personally do a quick walkaround before every ride, liquid levels, tyre pressures, chain etc. A lube of the chain takes seconds whilst still on the paddock or center stand. You need to refer to the dealers schedule of what it is they should have done for the 1st service, as not everyone is on the same page here. If the new tyre was fitted to the bike, and not loose wheels, then on refit the chain adjustment should've been made good by them irrespective of service schedule; certainly worth a chat with them.
Surely if a dealer fitted a new rear tyre they should have made sure that the chain was properly adjusted when they refitted the wheel.
I acknowledge responsibility ultimately. So, not looking to assign blame on anyone else. Its my personal responsibility and I get that. It won't happen again, I can assure you of that. But, I just looked at the invoice from the first service. Crystal clear right on the invoice. The invoice states that the first service includes inspection of chain and clean and oil if needed. Then it also states that the tech did this: "clean, lube and adjust drive chain."
I edited my post as I felt my response ended too harsh If the paperwork states it then give them both barrels!!!
I just went to the garage and checked the chain again. Its possible I am being overly harsh. The chain is is not dry. It has sticky lube on it and it is dirty. It is also not as badly loose as I initially thought. It is at 38mm. I put about 100-150 miles on it since the work was done. I suspect they did do the work. So, I will chalk this up to my own inexperience. Others seem to like this particular dealership. Sorry. If I could delete this thread I would.
Oooops!! That's the trouble with the internet, once out in the ether you can't undo it! Never mind comments noted, but the one thing to learn is that sticky chain lube attracts dirt to the chain. That can act like a grinding paste - other lubes are available and better. Either gear oil sparsely applied or a dry lube.
The spec for chain slack is for the tightest part of the chain, it's not unusual for it to be somewhat slacker when measured at different points. Just sayin'.
I clean and lub my Speed Twin 1200 chain every 3 tanks of fuel (~600 miles). I've only needed to adjust it once in 6500 miles (at about 2000 miles). I may be lucky or perhaps regular clean and lub reduces the requirement to adjust.
I clean and lub my Speed Twin 1200 chain every 3 tanks of fuel (~600 miles). I've only needed to adjust it once in 6500 miles (at about 2000 miles). I may be lucky or perhaps a regular clean and lub reduces the requirement to adjust.
Auto chain oiler for me, wouldn't be without one and was the first thing I fitted to the 1200 Scram when I bought it. Had one on the ZZR for years.
What should your chain adjustment be, 25mm? I would check the slack in several places. If you do find a tight spot where it’s in spec then fine otherwise I would go back to the dealer and ask them to check it. For a chain to go from, say, 25mm to 38mm in so little miles is rubbish and you should expect some acknowledgement of their failure.
The drive to this dealer is very long. I plan to do this maintenance sort of thing myself as I have always done with my cars.
A good mate always had auto chain lube things fitted to his bikes. He eventually got not checking them with this and completely knackered a chain and sprockets. He just never thought to check them. After that he decided not have the auto chain lube system on his bikes. It’s a few seconds to lube the chain after a decent ride. On our last trip (Ireland) it took just about the same amount of time to lube my chain as it did for the bartender to pull a pint of Guinness .
Your mate not checking his chain deserves a knackered chain and sprockets. A chain oiler does not negate checking your chain, it just means you never have to manually lube it. Just keep the reservoir topped up and the lube is always there. I made one for around £20 including reservoir, 12v shut off valve, switch, flow regulator and a bit of tubing. I can turn it up in heavy rain and down again in dry weather. You either like them or you don't. They ensure your chain is always adequately lubed but they are not a "fit and forget" solution to chain maintenance. I'll stick with the pint of Guiness and leave the chain lube to the oiler!
You’re right he did deserve it but if I need to lube my chain after each day it means I look at the chain and sprockets, adjustment etc every day I’m away. It’s not exactly a hardship lubing the chain. It just means I will notice if it needs any attention.
