Hitchcocks Forum

I've got a 2010 classic efi from new, now with 7,000 miles on the clock
My drive chain has reached the end of its adjustment and the chain is still a bit slack. (there wasn't much adjustment on it when the bike was new).

(I replaced the chain about 2,000 miles ago as the last chain was also out of adjustment. The new all steel chain was an Elite from Hitchcocks. - It was a bit better but still not a lot of adjustment left when I fitted it.)
The rear sprocket does not look too bad - no obvious wear on the teeth - I assume that the engine sprocket is the same.

If I take 2 links out the chain is then too short and would only give me 1/2 inch slack.

I am toying with taking two links out and adding a cranked link (net effect would be removing one link)
or replacing both the sprockets - but knowing my luck if I did this I would find that my chain was still too loose.

I'm starting to wonder if it is a case of tolerance extremes when the bike was made.
I would have expected the sprockets to last longer than 7,000 miles - the chain has always been well lubricated.
I do not want to spend £ 80 on sprockets and perhaps £40 for another new chain if not necessary.

Any comments/suggestions most welcome.

Hi guys-------- and Hello Ally F}------- What exactly do you mean by Drive Chain ?? Are talking about the Primary Chain ( because you mention about the "Engine" sprocket) OR is it the rear chain because you mentioned the "Rear Sprocket" rather than the clutch basket??...........I am also puzzled about this new "all steel" chain.... I thought they were all made from steel ??..............Traditionally you would fit a cranked link to do exactly what you are proposing ie}--- to adjust by 1/2 a link...You might try checking the wheel alignment as those mileages seem ridiculously low to me....

I mean the rear wheel drive chain, not the primary chain, and by steel chain I mean an all steel chain and not a chain with O ring seals.
The wheel alignment is ok, I use a home made laser alignment tool, that makes alignment easy and accurate. I have a number of bikes (bsas and modern Kwacks) and have not had this problem with any of the others, so am wondering if its common on Indian Enfields, as I have already had to replace the rubbish plastic swinging arm bushes after 6,000 miles with metalastic ones, and had a sprag clutch replaced under garrantee when the old one fell apart after 2,000 miles.

AllyF a half link will get you out of trouble and just get used to regular chain adjustments

Its a machine, chain looks good, sprokets look good, set tension as should be - it will be good

Hi AllyF,

My 2012 EFI did 8,000km, still on same chain. Had an 18t pinion fitted which did mean more adjustment available. However I sold it in July and within two months the new owner found rear sprocket had a broken tooth. He will now fit new chain and sprocket. Sprag no problem. Good luck (BTW I pick up a 2 year old Bonnie on Saturday to replace my EFI)

Cheers TrevorCH

Hi AllyF... I got between 12-14000 miles (and 4 years) out of my original O-ring chain, and in fact the rear sprocket was the first to go. A few teeth broke off midway through a very long trip, quite probably due to lack of chain lubrication on the long trip. The chain needed adjustment every couple of months (500 - 700 miles or so), by around 1, or maybe 2 at most notches on the snail cams.




My new chain isn't an O-ring, and it hasn't lasted nearly as long. I changed all sprockets (and went up a tooth at the gearbox) around 1 year ago, and I have had to adjust it pretty much every month, and it is now on the last few notches on the snail cam. 4-6000 miles on the second chain. Will probably opt for an O-ring type next time given the lifespans - however I have never heard of a half-link before - that might save me some cash? Are they hard to fit or as easy as a master/split link??




As for the sprag clutch... that also failed on the long trip, but I only really used the electric start for the first couple of years of my EFI ownership. I only miss the electric start when the kicker isn't playing ball, when I am tired, or when I stall at lights (i.e. when the bike cuts out!). Weak battery and dodgy electrics (see elsewhere!!!) have been an issue on my bike for some time - but I would ride it in salty roads, in the middle of winter, through rain and snow in Scotland!!

Hi AllyF - I found the original snail cam adjusters to be near useless unless you took very, very great care regarding alignment. Counting the 'cut outs' proved to be totally inaccurate, and even the two punch marks weren't true. I've since fitted a set of our host's adjusters (page 167 of 2013 catalogue) which allows the job to done much easier and with greater accuracy. They're a bit expensive but I reckon they're worth it. Cheers. Tony.

Another EFI horror story, are they really that bad, Bertie is a 2004 classic and after 20,000k kilometres he is still running on the same chain and sprockets he had when bought at 5000k and none are seriously worn or need changing, the chain still has adjustment in it. I do grease the chain regularly and a duck bill from the engine keeps it oiled, maybe this is the answer.

Hi Michael, I haven't been able to get a half link for an "O"ring chain but the are available for a standard 530 chain.