Installed 17" rims on my 250s along with a 39t sprocket.

the wheels are set far back - almost the full extent of the swingarm, yet i feel like theres a hair too much slack in the chain. If i press up on the chain, it lays all the way up to the swingarm (though technically its at the max extreme of 'in spec').

I read that the chain is the same length for 14/42 and 14/39 gearing. Should i be concerned here and/or source a shorter chain?

edit: OK my bad - i did some more reading. Apparently the chains are different. Do i need to be looking for a 104 link chain then?

 

How old is the chain? My 2014 has a 39t on it and is in middle range of swingarm @ stock length. In fact from the 42t it only moved the axle back one notch.

 

Unless you are so sensitive as to need to have a specific wheelbase, if the chain can be adjusted to suitable slack, you are good. The 104 chain probably allows a good range of adjustment to start.

Some racers/riders want specific geometry and will have the chain length to either run short or long wheel base. I'm not sure I could actually feel 1" in wheel base unless I knew exactly what I was to feel in handling and consciously try to detect it. As long as the chain adjustment was adequate to meet needed chain slack I'm good.

 

i just feel like i'm running at the very edge of the service limit, and any further chain "give" will have it out of spec with no adjustment...would rather fall in the middle somewhere.

The bike is a 2009 with 3700 miles; i've only had it a year but am to assume its the stock chain. Will try a 104t and see what that does for me.

 

So you answered your own question.

 

Maybe it was mentioned and I don't see it, but you can very likely remove a link from the chain instead of purchasing a new one.

 

does the stock chain have a master link that can be removed? (i'm new to this so humour me)

i have a chain breaker tool etc

 

My 09 chain had a clip master link. Not sure if you can remove it with a chain breaking tool or not without destroying the master link (never used a chain breaker on that type of ML).

I have always just used a flat screwdriver to work the link plate off after removing the clip. Be careful not to damage the o-ring if you plan on reusing the ML.

 

thanks, i decided to go ahead and get a new chain just to play it safe.

self hijack: any idea what the value of my 250s wheels would be for craigslist-ing? the hubs have 3700 miles and the shinko 705 tires have about 500 miles.