YFZ450 chain problems

[neodyman]

I started racing my yfz 450 and started to have chain issues, first at my practice track I broke the stock chain so I bought a D.I.D. and after one day at the track the pins in the outer links are loose, on one link I can almost spin the pin in a complete circle!
I first thought it might be the stock oring chain, or out of line sprockets but i used a laser and its inline, or maybe just wore sprockets, but all was new and I always oil my chain 1 or 2 times when I ride depending on how dusty it is, the only thing I can think of is it gets too much slack in it? but i have a allen wrench with my kit and try to keep it about 1 inch of vertical play for the suspension.
Do these quads have that much power, to stretch it like that?
Is there a better chain I can get?
and its better not to get a oring chain?

[MXtras]

Are you sure 1" of slack is enough?

It's not enough for a YZ, but I am not really familiar with 4-wheelers.


Scott

[neodyman]

it is the same as 2 other guys that i tide with and they don't have any problems.
if you leave in gear and roll forward to take out slack on the bottom side the top has might be more like 1 3/4 to 2 1/4 inches but i don't think its the problem.

[MXtras]

Have a buddy slowly compress the suspension and make sure the chain never gets super tight throughout the travel (especailly when the c'shaft, swingarm pivot and axle are all in a line). Either that or check a manual for the recommended slack setting.

Too tight of a chain will quickly destroy your carrier bearings and your countershaft bearings and could break the case, among numerous other things. Forget about what it's doing to the relatively inexpensive chain - there are a lot more expensive potential issues.

Scott