How do you know if the chain needs replacing?

[Mattberkshire]

Hi all. I've done 12000 miles on the original chain. Had a scottoiler for the past 500 miles. I can feel something slightly odd around the rear end (the bikes not mine!), particularly when bumbling along about 30/40mph. Like a very slight low frequency vibration. So, how do you know when the chain needs replacing?

Cheers m'dears

 

[Denver_FZ6]

Motorcycle Consumer News just posted a maintenance article regarding this. It's generally done by measuring a length of chain for elongation but it may be casually done by pulling on the chain where it wraps around the rear sprocket. If it pulls away enough to reveal 1/3 to 1/2 the tooth, time for replacement.

Found this in service manual:
15-link length limit = 239.3 mm (9.42 in)

 

[xj750_Pete]

+1 about looking at the sprocket tooth. So far my rear sprocket looks like it has a lot of life left in it. The manual says to measure the length of 15 links and their pins. I just measured mines and at 7,000 miles the value I got was 9.40 inches.

 

[Doorag]

Mine is rusted after a winter of commuting every day and my bike living outside. I'll definitely need a new one at my 12K service.

 

[SovietRobot]

Mine is rusted after a winter of commuting every day and my bike living outside. I'll definitely need a new one at my 12K service.

My chain was rusty as hell. Until I cleaned it.

 

[wrightme43]

Mine has over 25000 miles on it. Its fine, the sprockets are fine. I do clean it frequently and use dupont teflon lube though.

 

[bcityroller]

From the service manual for my 2004 (I would think no change for other years) it called to measure ten links per attached picture and limits. I've got just short of 12k miles on mine and it's still ok. I do have a riding buddy on an FZ1 who chased a weird noise almost all last summer before he finally replaced his chain/sprockers at 15k and voila problem solved so it probably is worth at least checking if something feels funny to you.

 

[Sawblade]

Rust cleans off, just replace it based on streching and/or binding.