why is my chain streaching?!

So i have a brand new 630 chain on my kz750 and i have had to tighten it for the second or third time in less than 200 miles. Is this normal? I know they need to be oiled every 500 miles (which i do) but i havent even hit that mark yet. It seems i have to tighten it every two rides i go on. My buddies crotch rocket runs a smaller 530 chain and he hardley ever has to tighten it. Am i doing something wrong here?

Cheers
Jason

Three factors come to mind:

1. Adjusting the chain too tight will kill the chain pronto. With the bike on the center stand how much play (up and down movement in the center section of chain) are you leaving in the chain after you adjust it? Are you turning the rear wheel to find the tightest spot so you can ensure that is the spot where you measure the play as you adjust the chain? How much free play does your Kawasaki service manual or owner's manual call for?

2. A chain that has no lubricant will die a premature death. Did you lube the chain with a quality chain lube (such as Maxima Chain Wax or other such product) when you installed it? Did you re-lube it every 300 - 400 miles? You should. Running a new chain 500 miles with no lube is very hard on it.

3. Worn sprockets will wear out a chain very quickly. Did you replace both sprockets when you replaced the chain? If not, the chain will not last very long at all no matter what else you do.

You really should be able to ride a couple thousand miles between chain adjustments; and the chain should last 35 - 40,000 miles or longer. One other thought, did you install a quality (such as D.I.D. or other known brand) O-ring or X-ring chain? There is nothing economical about installing a cheap chain. Ed

Cheap chain and sprockets

+1 Either cheap chain and sprockets or worn sprockets ate the new chain.

Get a good X-Ring and sprockets from Z1 and they will last. Lube it with the DuPont multi-purpose teflon spray lube from Lowes. Works great.

I used chain wax made by yamaha? How can you tell when a sprocket is bad? My teeth arent sharp they look good. And i forget the brand. Its a roller chain. No O rings.

Always change the chain and both sprockets at the same time because they all wear at the same rate.
Old sprockets will stretch a new chain.

As advised by Z1E:

Avoid putting non-motorcycle (industrial) chain on motorcycles, these chains are NOT designed for running at speed and enduring the harsh stresses put on them by a motorcycle.

www.z1enterprises.com/reference/chaintypesize.aspx

It's also important to assure that the rear drive sprocket is perfectly aligned with the counter-shaft sprocket.



Good Fortune!

delete

Well i cant afford new sprockets an another chain yet so i will make sure everything is lined up a lubed properly.

Be careful running around with a worn chain and sprockets, if it pops off it could cause the rear wheel to lock up. Or it might damage your engine case. Either way, not worth risking it.

bountyhunter wrote: ... Lube it with the DuPont multi-purpose teflon spray lube from Lowes. Works great.

Yes. Inexpensive. Minimal fling off. Many uses.




Good Fortune!

and i second that