Chain Tension on 2008's

[The Kurgan]

Just a word of caution to 2008 owners...

If your dealer didn't adjust the factory set chain tension, DO IT. NOW

Mine was WAY too tight. What I mean is that it was off the freakin rictor scale too tight!! I paid the price with a ruined front sprocket countershaft seal at only 200 KM on the clock!

Another thing to keep in mind is that the suspension compresses alot... and there's a huge difference between chain tension on the bike vs. off the bike.

My chain looks kind of floppy now, but when I'm on the bike, there's the appropriate amount of travel! There's alot of truth to the old saying "better floppy then too stiff"

I am so damn pissed off right now I feel like... well... going for a nice long ride... knowing that I'm going to have oil all over my rim, swingarm, shock, chain guard, etc... until I get the new seal put in.

Only plus is that I'll use this opportunity to have a 16t sprocket installed.

rant over.

[Notsofast71]

I hope the dealership is fixing it free of charge.

[John0270]

Yeah I rode about 300km from the dealer asuming they set it up right. It was to tight(about 3/4" slack), but nothing happend luckly(yet) I doubt its just your seal, it could be the bearing also?

[gnostic203]

Maybe now would be an oportune time to post up some KLR tips and tactics on checking chain slack?

I know there are some KLR gurus out there that are just waiting to chime in.

[John0270]

The book is pritty strait forward on this procedure.

[fpianka]

What are the primary symptoms of a countershaft seal leak?

[kawagumby]

Originally Posted by fpianka

What are the primary symptoms of a countershaft seal leak?

A nicely lubricated chain.

[Notsofast71]

Originally Posted by kawagumby

A nicely lubricated chain.

And left boot.

[The Kurgan]

Yes the dealer is paying.

Symptoms include:

--> a few or many drops of oil on the ground under your KLR (under the front sprocket area) each morning.

--> inside front sprocket cover coated in oil (even after repeatedly cleaning the oil off and NOT lubing the chain)

--> after riding; oil splatter covers the frame, rims, swingarm, rear shock, chain guard, etc...

--> the oil that drips out is usually quite clean, not black and grungy like chain lube.

--> yes, the chain seems to be magically lubricated -- like a Scottoiler automatic chain lubricating system

--> no, my boots didn't get any oil on them

see photo after bike is parked for only one hour after a ride...

[Red08]

I noticed that mine was to tight also, and had the tech loosen it up before I left the dealer,what's up with that. so much for dealer prep. I changed the rice oil as aoon as I got home (100mi) and now it shifts better and runs quiet. . . .

[ooweel]

MEE TOOO! Mine was way tight! Had to looooosen it up!

[rugeroid]

Mine also too tight. I regret having ridden about 150 miles before noticing how tight it was with my weight on it. It may have had one half inch slack unladen,on the side stand, but with my 210 lbs on it, it was tite as abowstring!! I loosened it up, and thankfully have not noticed any seal leakage so far. Another new one on the showroom today was just as tight as mine before I loosened it.

[Eaglemike]

This has been known as an initial setup issue. Many dealers are used to setting up street bikes with less travel. Often after the first service (if done by a dealer) the chain is too tight.

all the best,

Mike

[oldturtle]

A tight chain will also ruin the rear wheel bearings.

[ridewv]

Originally Posted by Eaglemike

This has been known as an initial setup issue. Many dealers are used to setting up street bikes with less travel. Often after the first service (if done by a dealer) the chain is too tight.

all the best,

Mike

A couple days after I bought my new 1999 KLR, I realised the chain was way too tight. Fortunately there was no damage done.
So when I picked up my 2008, from the same dealer, I checked the chain before I loaded it in my truck. Way tight. I went and got the sales manager and showed it to her. She thought it was ok. I said now check it while I'm sitting on it. "Whoa, that is tight, I'll send Nate out to adjust it". When Nate came, let's just say I wasn't overcome with confidence, so I said "Nate just give me a new cotter key for the axle nut and I'll take care of it myself". The sales manager said " it's not something we did, the wheel's already on the bike from the factory".

[Red08]

this whole thing stems from the dealers NOT doing anything more than they have to. Take it out of the crate, put the parts on, put a little petrol in to see if it runs, and bingo, it's on the floor.

when I worked in a BMW-Triumph-Honda shop back in the 70's, we did a complete service on everything that came in crate. changed the oil,checked valve clearance, made all the adjustments, and washed them so the sales boys could shine them up.

guess I must be dating myself, Eh

[gscheife]

Yeah, I have had some concerns regarding high oil consumption (1qt every 500 miles or so at 75-80 mph over 95 miles per day) and didn't pay all that much attention to the chain tension after the initial setup. My old Honda had a shaft drive so the chain was a bit of a change from years with a shaft.

After riding it for about 1400 miles I started to get a loud ratcheting sound from the front sprocket. It is loud. I bet something is not very happy there now. When I sit on the bike the chain IS TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT!!! I have tried to adjust the tension but the damn bolts are so tight holding the back wheel on I cannot loosen them. The wrench keeps sliding off. I guess I have to take it to the same dealer that didn't set it up right the first time.

[12bar]

I checked ours yesterday. My bike was fine my wife's was way too tight. After I adjusted it I measured the distance from the flat surface on the adjusting plate to the swingarm and both of them were exactly the same.

[FrDon]

I fear the tight chain, so my is really loosey-goosey. Not sure what will happen if it's too loose, but when I'm NOT sitting on it, I like to be able to push it up and touch the swingarm.

Don+

[Buddy]

WOW....using 1 qt of oil every 500 miles.....that would be enough to cause me to regret buying the bike. It's too bad you can't return a bike that uses oil that much.