Frame and Other Damage Due to Chain With Too Much Slack

 I went riding with a female neighbor tonight from Marshall to Jonesville
(Michigan) and back.  We ended up having dinner in Tekonsha.

In that process, we discussed motorcycle maintenance and what she is
comfortable doing herself.

It ends up that she hasn't had the chain adjusted all year and knows it is
way too loose.  I looked at it for her in the parking lot.  It is beyond 2
inches, but I couldn't tell how much beyond in the dark.  I've never seen a
chain that loose.

Anyway, I committed to help her with it tomorrow.  She has the owner's
manual.

Before I do what the owner's manual says to do, I'd like to be sure that the
chain hasn't eaten into the frame or done anything else naughty.  My plan is
just to look everything over that looks like it could be reached by a loose
chain.  There shouldn't be any rocket science there.  Then I'd just lube it
and adjust it per manufacturer's instructions.

By the way, the reason I have the idea it could damage the frame is from my
Honda owner's manual, which says you do not want to let the slack get beyond
2 inches or it can possibly do that.

Questions:

a)Any other subtle damage I'd be looking for?  Anything counterintuitive I
might miss?

b)Any other advice?

c)If the chain has eaten into the frame (very unlikely, I'd guess), are
there generally repair options short of replacing the frame?

Based on the tone of our discussions, I'll look at the tires, brakes, valve
adjustments, whether she's had the oil changed, etc.  She is not a
maintenance-centric person.

Thanks, Datesfat

 wrote:

.> c)If the chain has eaten into the frame (very unlikely, I'd guess),
are

If scratches on the swing arm keep you awake at night, sandpaper the
area and degrease it and paint it with black Rustoleum.

Then *forget it*.

 
wrote:

.> c)If the chain has eaten into the frame (very unlikely, I'd guess),
are

If scratches on the swing arm keep you awake at night, sandpaper the
area and degrease it and paint it with black Rustoleum.

Then *forget it*.
-----------------------------

Might want to degrease it first.   :-)

 

<Watches thread>

This could be fun....

 wrote:


Well, "howdy-ho!" then...