well,i just bought a lt230 for 300 dollars,it needed alot of work which i have nearly completed but am short on money.when i first got it the chain was very loose,but i thought it was normal so i rode it...cracked the case.i got some sonic weld and now the case is better and i took 2 links out of the chain and now it is really tight,no slack at all.is this bad for it,and is it robbing me of my power ?any help woould be grealty appriciated

 

really really tight is not good. But it should loosen uip after a while. my friend had the same problem, and it loosened up. Just don't touch it, it'll get real hot

 

Be real carefull!! Does the chain tighten when the suspension is compressed on lt230.
this happens on the z400 and what could happen is when going over a jump, the chain would take all the stress and snap or worse!!!
Make sure.

 

id just buy a new chain and sprockets. the liklyhood of that snapping is real good.

 

HAHAHAHAHAAAA,

This is a question I am an EXPERT on more than anything else.

Not many people know this, but the LT230 has probably THE worst chain problems of any qyad ever built. Not only does it strech emensly when the suspension is loaded, but (here is the kicker) the swingarm is the usualy the number one culprit.

You need a new chain/sprocket combo first - you already maxed your chain out it sounds if the adjuster won't help anymore.

Before you go putting it the new on check this out...you will be amazed. rab the grab bar, kneel down behind the bike, push the grab bar left and right <----- and ----> watch the chain get real sloppy when you go right and real tight when you go left.....bad swingarm, so I now mention that LT230 have THE worst swingarm in quad history as well. Suzuki has always been bad about putting weak swingarms on there quads.

The reason this happens if you go right to left it either increases or decreases the distance from sprocket-too-sprocket. The chain will fly off when you take a left turn, that is why the case is broke much like the 5 I replaced before becomming an expert.

 

You're right, Dan. The side to side culprit is swing arm bushings-230's eat 'em.
I wouldn't screw around with the old chain. Get a new chain and sprockets. Getting either one, without the other, will trash the new. I know, "rock an' a hard place. Eat it on this one though. When you install the C&s's, Adjust the chain to have 1.5" of slack, unloaded. Now, take a tie down, hook it to the grab bar, then to the skidder under the axle(they have that don't they? I forget.) Anyway, get on the quad, this loads the suspensin, have a buddy tighten the tie down to the point your sag stopped. There should be the same amount of slack. If not, adjust accordingly.

 

thanks for all the help guys.the swingarm is perfect and the bearings are fine,i checked that before i ever touched the chain.But thats a good idea replacing the chain and sprokets,but money is a big problem for me since im only 15,any sugestions about cheaper parts.and if i do get new sprockets,what setup should i use ?

 

give this guy a call he knows a lot about the 230. vince s cycle 270-527-8921 or www.vincescycle.com i got a lot of parts from him for my old 230 i had.