Chain is too tight, maybe just plain worn out? Sounds like you are not keeping the chain maintained and lubricated.

 

new chain, cleaned, lubed, adjusted after every ride (factory manual specs @1-1 1/2" at the slider), I haven't gotten caught in the rain yet on this bike (I hear that shit's dangerous, you could lose your wallet, or worse, your girlfriend). and the bike has maybe 500 mi since conversion to SM, so that's what's on the chain I got from motostrano.

I'm overly anal on the maintenance of my bikes, this thing has had it's oil changed 3 times in the last 500 mi, and 2 filters. I'm using maxxis chain wax, after cleaning with WD40.

 

Somebody's putting red baby powder on your chain while you're not looking. Sneaky bastard. :anim_peep:

 

do you have red colored sprockets? Maybe if you replaced the chain and not the sprocket it is wearing more on the sprocket? Maybe the chain is a tad larger and is running on a red plastic part? Chain guide, front sprocket cover?

 

I know you have a none o-ring chain but my o-ring chain did the exact same thing before it died. Apparently it was the stuff they put between the pin and the "sleeve" (not sure what you call it). For o-ring chain they start coming out when your o-rings fail and can no longer seal properly. Maybe they put the same stuff on your chain for some reason? and since its a none o-ring chain is just spits them out since new. I remember looking down at my bike thinking why's everything red around the drive! and about chain stretch, maybe depending on the brand? On my trials moto the chain stretched every ride for a while (I think regina). I had to readjust quit often then one day it just stopped and have been riding that chain without adjustment for a couple of months.

 

Maybe what is happening is that some part of the chain is rusting, and the rust is getting spread around your chain + sprocket while riding. Rust can come in many colours, red and black are the most common ones. Or maybe there is a chemical reaction with some of the products you are using on your chain.

 

my first thought would be the red powder is rust.

how are you lubing the chain? are you covering everything and not just say the outer links? you can lube the chain all you want, if you don't get it in the right nooks and crannies it won't do much.

 

Does your chain rub your tire? Mine does, and that dust is everywhere. It rubs right off, so my chains no rusted.

 

The red dust is called "fretting" it's an accelerated form of corrosion caused by friction and vibration.

 

I see fretting everyday at work, and have never seen it on all the bikes I've had. The only thing I can think of is the vibration of pure traction on pavement and not having a Cush drive. This is the first streetbike I've had with no cush drive. All my mx bikes didn't have em, but they were dirt only.

Interesting.

 

Well...here's an update....

I took the chain off, soaked it in degreaser, then hung it on a board, rinsed it, soaked it in kero, wiped it down, ran my fingers over each link (found that a few were seized already) sprayed it down with wd-40, waited for it to penetrate, wiped it down again, put it back on the bike, properly adjusted, ran it around the block a few laps, up on the stand, loaded it up with Maxxis chain wax, let it cool/cure, removed the chain, flipped it, re-installed it, ran it around the block again, loaded it up with Maxxis again, let it cool........

Rode it 100 mi since, the dust is gone, the links are loosened up, and all is well, the bike "feels" a little better now....

On the flip side, on my R1, stock chain, I've only adjusted the chain when I've replaced tires......

weird, because that bike (R1) makes a shit-ton more HP than the WR, but doesn't stretch the chain at all......

 

R1 uses a 525 chain, and it's an o-ring

 

It is normal for the chain to stretch for a while when new. It should stop after say 1000 miles or so, mine stretched a hell of a lot when i first bought my bike. Just make sure you stay on top of adjusting it until it stops stretching so much. My chain takes a beating between coming hard out of corners and dropping a couple gears into them...It is much different than a sport bike even though they are heavier and make more power.

 

Probably should replace that chain, it may be ok now but its toward the end of its life from what you were describing, the dust was rust from inside your rollers more than likely the siezed ones. I've had chains go 12,000 miles without a hickup and I've had a chain shot out and kinked in 5,000 miles, and I am the same way with maintenance all it takes is for one little drop of water to get stuck in a roller and its game over.

 

1) "red dust" = rust

2) "chain stretching" = Chain is wearing out each of the little rollers and pins (see #1, for reason why it is wearing out)

3) too prevent #1, and # 2 keep chain lubed with good quality M/C chain Lube (I prefer the new Belray stuff) and properly adjusted.

 

A good chain wax will give the longest lubrication; as soon as the lube is gone the fretting will be back.

You really can't keep enough lubrication in the links of a non o'ring chain to totally prevent the fretting.

I had the same problem on my XR 650; got a non o'ring chain by misstake and ran it anyway; never again!