Dropped bike, sudden abundance of chain slack

Ok, so I decided to try water cooling my kz last night (got caught in the rain). I've driven in the rain a few times before, but I'm a greenhorn, so it was inevitable that I laid her over sooner or later.

I actually got away pretty lucky. Bent my bars, dented my tank, broke my ignition pickup cover. Typical stuff, right?

So after letting it sit overnight, I shuffled out to the garage this morning to survey the damage. Bike started right up, so I took it real slow up the parking lot and back. I heard the chain slapping, so I took a good look at it, and WOW, that is a LOT of slack. It's loose enough for me to push all the way up and touch the chain guard!

I checked the adjustment on both sides, and it doesn't appear that I moved the rear tire any. I do think the master link looks a little funny, though.

Is this something I should be worried about? Any ideas on how my chain got so loose?

Glad to see you came out all right. Could you send more pics from different angles, something looks funky.

Well fist off glad your alright. Bike wrecks are scary.

I dropped my bike also one day and after the chain started making weird noises. Your probably going to have to adjust the chain

Thanks for the kind words. The spill was only at maybe 10-15 mph as I was approaching a corner. It had just started raining, and I hit a slick patch before a turn. :blush:

Anyways, the only other picture I have on me that shows the chain is this one. Let me know what angle you want and I'll snap some more tomorrow.

I can only guess how the chain got loose; the wheel moved or the motor moved.

The master link is worrisome. Did the clip come off?

OKC_Kent wrote:

I can only guess how the chain got loose; the wheel moved or the motor moved.

The master link is worrisome. Did the clip come off?

ditto:(

Yeah, the clip is still on (you can barely see it in the picture).

I suppose I could've moved the tire somehow, but both bolts are halfway between the 3rd and 4th marks from the outside. I'll start adjusting tomorrow and see if I'm underestimating how much slack I can take out of it.

I don't know about the slack, can't see an accident possibly causing that. The chain you have there looks like a <$20 chain and the reason the masterlink looks wrong, is that it *is* wrong. It's a wide oring type masterlink on a thin non-oring chain by the looks of it to me. Time for a new chain and sprockets. Sorry about your accident too.

what part of omaha are you in?if im working in your part of town next couple days ill stop and help diagnose if you want.

I'm midtown. 99th and Q. I'd appreciate any help, but I keep strange hours. How often you come to town?

For now, I guess I'll add a new chain to "the list." Gosh, and I thought this thing was gonna SAVE me some money. :lol:

I don't know if it's the picture or just these old eyes but I'd say the bike is in for a new chain and sprockets. Also putting her down in rain.... I got to ask how your tires are. It don't sound as if you were asking for it so I just got to wonder. Saving money is great but don't let them get more dangerous than is built in. As for the slack are you sure of the slack before the accident as being less? The chain looks rusty and maybe was stiff from the rust. Great you came out OK!

Oh, crap. I should've explained that the junk on the chain isn't rust. The previous owner had this heavy white grease covering most of the chain. When I wipe it off, the chain and sprocket are sparkly sparkly. I think the discoloration is just grime from the road that the grease has picked up. I'll clean it up all nice tomorrow and give you guys a gander and see what ya think.

Regarding my tires, you could be onto something there. I always felt my rear tire was a bit "hard" feeling. Coming from a background in cars, I didn't know if that is normal for bikes, or not. Previous owner said new tires, but I'm really starting to wonder about a lot of stuff he said (don't even want to get into previous issues :S )