Top 15 How Tight Should A Dirt Bike Chain Be The 139 Top Answers

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Correct chain slack should be around 1 – 1.25 inches at the end of the chain guide. An accurate way to see if it is correct is to put 3 fingers between the chain and the swingarm, right at the end of the chain guide. The chain and swingarm should be pressing on your fingers.It should be tight enough that it only allows you to move it up and down about one inch. If it is sagging or much looser than that, you need to tighten that chain up.Push up on the bottom of the chain and note the distance between the full-slack (lower) position and the no-slack (upper) position on the bottom . 1.2–1.6 inches (30–40 mm) is typical for streetbikes, while dirt bikes may need 1.4–2.0 inches (35–50 mm) of slack.

Contents

How tight should a bike chain be?

It should be tight enough that it only allows you to move it up and down about one inch. If it is sagging or much looser than that, you need to tighten that chain up.

How slack should a motocross chain be?

Push up on the bottom of the chain and note the distance between the full-slack (lower) position and the no-slack (upper) position on the bottom . 1.2–1.6 inches (30–40 mm) is typical for streetbikes, while dirt bikes may need 1.4–2.0 inches (35–50 mm) of slack.

How do I know if my chain is too loose?

To find out whether your chain is too long take a look at it from the side with your eyes being level with the chain. A loose chain will sag close to or below the chainstays as the chain hangs between the rear cogs and chainring. The chain might skip as you pedal, or even drop off the gears.

Why does my chain slip when I pedal hard?

The chain could be slipping due to natural weakening of the chain. Over time, the chain will stretch out and a loose chain means more slipping when pedaling hard. The chain could also be slipping if your cogs are word down. The cogs/crank also wear over time and can leave the chain with not much to “grab” on to.

How do you measure chain tension?

Pull your chain down and measure the distance between the centre of the chain and the sprocket. Lift it to its highest point and measure the distance again. Find the difference between these two measurements and – voilà! You’ve got your chain’s tension.

How much slack should a chain have?

Tension & Slack

If chain is too loose, excessive vibration and pulsation may occur causing chain damage. For normal drives, adequate slack should be adjusted to 4% of the chain span. [Example, if the chain span is 46.5″, slack should be 46.5″ x 0.04 = 1.86″] (C).

What does a loose motorcycle chain sound like?

Grinding and clunking noises from a motorcycle chain typically means that it’s dirty or isn’t sufficiently lubricated. Clean the chain carefully with a brush and kerosene or a chain degreaser spray. Then wipe it off and apply some chain lubricant. In most cases this simple maintenance can eliminate chain noise!

What happens if motorcycle chain is loose?

Too tight, and the tension will restrict your power and force, effectively hindering your motion (and safety). Too loose, though, and you risk a chain jumping off a sprocket; a slapping chain has the potential to damage moto-parts (and rider-parts).

Why does my bike chain keep clicking?

A clicking noise often comes from your chain wanting to jump up or down a gear on the rear cassette. This can typically be fixed by adjusting the tension of the cable that runs from your shifter to your rear derailleur.

How much slack should a mountain bike chain have?

Check & Remove Chain

The chain should be long enough to make this shift with two slight bends at each pulley of the rear derailleur. Next, shift to the smallest chainring and sprocket. There should be no slack in the chain, and the derailleur should not pull so far back that the chain contacts itself.

Why is my chain loose on my bike?

Your chain might simply be too old or can stretch over time. When this occurs you need to replace it. Consider that your loose chain also may be due to operator error. Exceeding the recommended gear range for the rear derailleur on your bike may lead to a droopy chain when you ride in these gears.

When I stop pedaling my chain goes slack?

If your chain is getting slack on top when you stop pedalling or backpedal, then the problem is in your freehub (or freewheel, whichever you have), a dirty freehub will cause all the problems you’ve listed, even on a brand new bike.

Dirt bike chain adjustment beginners guide.

How to Tighten a Dirt Bike Chain (Adjust and Lube Correctly)

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Chain Maintenance

How to Tighten a Dirt Bike Chain (Adjust and Lube Correctly)

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How to Tighten a Bike Chain | The Active Times

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How to Tighten a Dirt Bike Chain (Adjust and Lube Correctly)

Tightening the chain on your dirt bike might not be the first thing you think of when looking after your dirt bike. But it is actually quite important to check and tighten your bike chain regularly. Maintaining the correct chain-tension on your bike will prevent any snapping or other damage… which can actually be severe.

There are various reasons as to why you need to tighten the chain, including the obvious reason that if you don’t, it will fall off or snap. The snapping is the serious part. You could crack your motor case or similar if your chain snaps – not cool.

Also, if the chain becomes loose it can damage and wear down your sprocket(s). Oh yeah – it could get bound up between your sprocket and motor and throw you over the handlebars… but humans heal, dirt bikes don’t. 😉

There are a few steps to follow to tighten your dirt bike chain correctly – the process is pretty straightforward.

The very first thing to do is wash your dirt bike. Being caked with dirt, oil, and other unwanted materials isn’t going to help anyone and it can make it a messy job. Having a clean bike chain (and bike) will help it to last longer and work better too.

Here is a list of tools (some mandatory, some not) for the job:

Exhaust Plugs (I like these – they keep dirt & water out)

Degreaser

Grunge Brush

Dirt Bike Stand (couple great options here)

Large Crescent Wrench (or proper size wrench for your bike)

Small-Medium Crescent Wrench (preferably just the proper size wrenches – most-likely a 12MM & 10MM)

Quality Chain Lube

How to Clean a Dirt Bike Chain

Ok, now we’re ready to start!

Grab your degreaser and a grunge brush (if you’ve got one). You will then need to set your bike up on a stand so that the rear wheel is entirely off the ground.

Spray down the chain with the degreaser and work away any debris with the brush. You’ll want to basically use the brush in one location and turn the rear wheel to rotate the chain all-the-way through. It make take more than one pass.

After you’ve cleaned away all of the debris on the chain, let it dry off completely and then apply the chain lube.

NOTE: Neither a wire brush or a degreaser is recommended if you have an O-ring chain.

With a clean and lubed chain, we’re ready.

Steps to Tighten a Dirt Bike Chain

Step #1 – With the large crescent wrench, loosen the nut on the axel; it can be located on either the left or the right side depending on the bike. You will need to loosen it so that it turns with no tension.

Step #2 – Take the 12MM (or whatever size you need) wrench and loosen the lock nuts, which are against the swingarm. Losen both sides.

Step #3 – With a wrench, turn the tension bolt out, until the chain feels tight enough. You will need to do the left side first because you are adjusting the chain. If you were to adjust the right side first, you would then have to make multiple adjustments later on.

Step #4 – Measure chain slack. Correct chain slack should be around 1 – 1.25 inches at the end of the chain guide. An accurate way to see if it is correct is to put 3 fingers between the chain and the swingarm, right at the end of the chain guide. The chain and swingarm should be pressing on your fingers. If this is the case the chain has been tightened properly.

Step # 5 – Repeat for right side. Once the chain has been tightened enough on the left side, you will then need to do the same on the right. There will be marks located on the axle blocks, and on the swingarm, you will need to adjust the right side, so the notch is in the same position as it is on the left. If it isn’t, it will result in the wheel not spinning straight and could damage the bike or even result in an unwanted crash.

Step #6 – Make sure everything is tightened down – lock nuts & axle nut.

Once you have finished these steps, you are ready to go.

Sort of…

Step #7 – Yes, technically that is all it takes to tighten a dirt bike chain, but you really need to lube it up afterwards. Keeping the chain greased is important. If you didn’t clean and lube the chain already, then just grab a good chain lubricant (this set makes it easy) and apply as described in the instructions.

Ok, now you’re done!

How to Tighten a Bike Chain

Is your bike chain loose? Is it coming undone while you ride? Check your chain out. It should be tight enough that it only allows you to move it up and down about one inch. If it is sagging or much looser than that, you need to tighten that chain up.

Related: How to Lubricate Your Bike

Chains often loosen when a bike does not have a derailleur. Derailleur is the gear changing mechanism towards the back of the bike. The derailleur helps to pull the chain and keep it tight. Bikes without a derailleur are single-speed bikes or fixies.

Tools: Grab a wrench that will fit your rear axles.

1. Loosen your tire. Loosen the bolts that hold your rear tire.

2. Pull back the tire. Move the tire back until the chain starts to tighten.

3. Find the appropriate tension. When you have reached the point where the chain is tight enough to only move about a half of an inch in either direction you need to tighten the bolts and your wheel into place. It may be easier to have someone help you so that they can hold the wheel in this position as you tighten it.

If the chain is not getting tighter after you have done this than it is stretched, and time to replace the chain.

If you have a bike that has a derailleur that is not creating chain tension, than it may need to be replaced. This often occurs when the derailleur loses some of its springiness and can not effectively create chain tension.

Click here for how to clean your bike without breaking it.

How To Tighten a Dirt Bike Chain

A broken chain can ruin your whole day.

Your best outcome to breaking the drive chain on your dirt bike is, well, a broken chain. The worst? How about a damaged crankcase. Or how about the chain whipping you in the back as you blaze down the motocross track? To say it hurts would be an understatement.

This happens when the chain is either too loose or too tight. Additionally, a loose chain wears out the rubber on your swing arm and can derail. If it’s too tight it can wear out your sprockets prematurely.

But you can prevent all that.

Ever notice how the chain tightens when the rear shock is compressed? That’s why it is important to check your chain often to make sure it is within manufacture specs. Checking your chain’s slack is a must before every ride and it’s actually very easy and takes but a few minutes.

If the chain has too much slack you’ll certainly hear it when you’re riding, and you will definitely be able to notice that the chain is loose just by giving it a quick visual inspection. If the chain hangs like an old clothesline you better get it tightened. Conversely, if the chain barely gives when you press down on it then it needs some slack.

Beyond the visual check is the finger check. Use the three finger method before every ride. Place three fingers, on top of each other, behind your chain slider. Allow the chain to drape across the top of your index finger to check the chain adjustment. The chain should be taut against your fingers. If it’s loose or too tight you need to adjust your chain.

Use three-finger method to check chain length

If the chain is tightened properly, you’re good to go after going over your other pre riding maintenance tips. (Check out our Routine Bike Maintenance Tips for 2-Strokes and 4-Strokes.)

But if you determine the chain is either to tight or too loose you need to adjust the slack before you start riding. So how do you do that?

We’re glad you asked.

If you’re new to dirt biking, fear not! There’s no need to remove the chain, remove links, put the chain back on and see if you’ve got it right. Heck, that would take all of your riding time!

The first step, which sets the chain length, is checking the alignment of the chain blocks. The chain blocks sit in the swingarm which houses the wheel axle. Adjusting the chain from this point requires you to loosen your rear axle nut. You can then modify the chain adjusters by loosening the locking nut (that butts up against the swingarm). Make sure you use the proper size wrench here so you do not strip the chain adjusting bolt and nut.

To check the wheel and axle alignment, notice the marks on the swingarm. Use a micrometer or the notches on the swingarm to see how far back the chain is pulled on the left and right sides. If for example, the chain is pulled back four lines on the left and five lines on the right, the wheel and axle are crooked. Aligning the wheel and axle may be all that’s required to tighten or loosen the chain.

After fixing the alignment (if needed) and adjusting your chain blocks use the three finger rule again and see how the chain rests across your fingers. If you determine the chain still requires adjustment then go back to the chain blocks. Notice the bolt protruding from the swingarm. Tighten this bolt to loosen the chain, loosen the bolt to tighten the chain.

This bolt essentially pushes on the chain block which the axle runs through, thus tightening or loosening your chain.

TIP: When checking the chain tension make sure the chain blocks butt up against the swingarm adjuster bolts. This ensures you get the truest reading when checking the tension on your chain. In fact when you go to tighten your axle, it’s a good idea to take a shop rag, fold it up and place it on the rear sprocket, all while spinning the wheel backwards. The rag will jam in the sprocket and chain, causing the wheel to stop, tightening your chain, and butting those chain blocks up against the adjuster bolts. This is when you will tighten the rear axle nut to your manufactures ft. lb. spec.

Once you’ve tightened the rear axle nut do the three-finger check. Check your chain blocks and make sure they’re aligned properly and not crooked after tightening the axle as well.

When performing chain adjustment it’s always a good idea to check not only the condition of the chain but the sprockets too. If you see any wear or missing teeth then it’s time to replace the entire chain drive. We never recommend replacing one or the other. Always replace both the chain and sprockets together to prevent premature wear.

Once you’re done tightening the chain and ensuring the axle nut and the chain adjust bolt and nut is snugged up, go ahead and lube up your chain so you’re ready next time you ride.

Now, get out and ride!

Need more? Check out additional reading material all about chains:

For your additional reading pleasure on dirt bike chains:

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Top 15 How Tight Should A Dirt Bike Chain Be The 139 Top Answers

How tight should a bike chain be?

How slack should a motocross chain be?

How do I know if my chain is too loose?

Why does my chain slip when I pedal hard?

How do you measure chain tension?

How much slack should a chain have?

What does a loose motorcycle chain sound like?

What happens if motorcycle chain is loose?

Why does my bike chain keep clicking?

How much slack should a mountain bike chain have?

Why is my chain loose on my bike?

When I stop pedaling my chain goes slack?

How to Tighten a Dirt Bike Chain (Adjust and Lube Correctly)

Dirt bike chain adjustment beginners guide. – YouTube

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How to Check and Adjust Your Motorcycle’s Chain | Cycle World

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how tight should chain be | The Dirt Bike | Motocross | Supercross Forum at DirtRider.Net

How to Check and Adjust Your Motorcycle’s Chain | Cycle World

How to Tighten a Dirt Bike Chain (Adjust and Lube Correctly)

How to Tighten a Bike Chain

How To Tighten a Dirt Bike Chain

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