Tightening the chain?

Quick281 · 04-21-2008, 12:00 PM

I tried to tighten the chain the other day while doing a variety of other things to my bike. I was sure to make sure that it is evenly matched on each side of the swing arm but I fear that I may have over tightened it.

I am going to loosen it up today but I was wondering if there is a sure fire way to know how much slack is good for the chain. I am probably over paranoid about slack in the chain and therefore tightened it when I didn't need to.

I noticed that it was making a loud zipping noise and seemed to make an odd vibration at about 10 mph when slowing down.

I was out of town all weekend so I haven't been on the bike or able to work on the bike but I was thinking about spending the day trying to get everything back to where it was.

Lesson: Don't fix what isn't broke.

marko138 · 04-21-2008, 12:02 PM

Service manual. Do you have one? You need probably 3/4 to an inch of free play.

Phenix_Rider · 04-21-2008, 12:07 PM

Check the play with a ruler- measure at the bottom of the link when you press down, and the bottom of the same link when you pull up. My manual calls for 30-40mm (1.2-1.6 in) of slack. I haven't felt a too tight chain, but too loose makes shifting feel sloppy- extra drive line slop.

Quick281 · 04-21-2008, 12:27 PM

I have a service manual, it says .8 to 1.2 inches of slack. I thought it was easily within that, but I don't know. It also notes that I need to have the bike on its side stand for accurate adjustment. I have it on the stands so maybe that has something to do with it although I can't figure out what.

The rear axle nut is supposed to be 75. ft lbs but I do not have a torque wrench. Maybe that is part of the problem.

Phenix_Rider · 04-21-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quick281

I have a service manual, it says .8 to 1.2 inches of slack. I thought it was easily within that, but I don't know. It also notes that I need to have the bike on its side stand for accurate adjustment. I have it on the stands so maybe that has something to do with it although I can't figure out what.

The rear axle nut is supposed to be 75. ft lbs but I do not have a torque wrench. Maybe that is part of the problem.

The adjusters shouldn't let the axle move even if the nut is loose.

Have you checked your chain guide? The plastic widget that saves your swingarm from getting beat up. It might be loose and constantly rubbing the chain.

6doublefive321 · 04-21-2008, 04:46 PM

Too loose = bad, too tight = worse. If you chain is loose, you will hear it slapping around. If its too tight, you may not hear anything or some type of popping. Over tightened chains can mess your shit up. They can wear out or break a counter shaft in little or no time at all.

First of all, buy a steel, millimeter ruler to check the alignment with. The tick marks on the swingarm are not precise enough to get the alignment right. Next, loosen everything up and re-adjust the chain so that you have the correct amount of slack, and a good alignment. Do each side, a little at a time, and alternate back and forth. If you go too far and the chain is too tight, loosen the adjustment nuts up, knock the wheel forward, and start again. Now, tighten the axle nut down and test ride it.

Mudpuppy · 04-26-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko138

Service manual. Do you have one? You need probably 3/4 to an inch of free play.

I agree - but my R6 it is 1-1/2" to 2"

as far as lining it up on both sides they have a chain tool you can use or a pair of calipers. the sure fire way is to move 1 flat at a time on the hex nut is how i do it. move 1 flat on left then 1 flat on the right. after each left and right turn check the tension each time then repeat until the tension is right.

Quick281 · 04-26-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mudpuppy

I agree - but my R6 it is 1-1/2" to 2"

as far as lining it up on both sides they have a chain tool you can use or a pair of calipers. the sure fire way is to move 1 flat at a time on the hex nut is how i do it. move 1 flat on left then 1 flat on the right. after each left and right turn check the tension each time then repeat until the tension is right.

That is my other lesson learned as well. Since I use a 10mm bolt on each side to push the axle out I will not just carelessly loosen both sides up as I did this time. Now that I have it measured properly I will be sure to turn each side proportionately.

Gas Man · 04-26-2008, 11:32 PM

Also when tightening the chain you should have the rider on it. The more weight on the bike the tighter the chain gets... that's all about geometry.

Mudpuppy · 04-27-2008, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gas Man

Also when tightening the chain you should have the rider on it. The more weight on the bike the tighter the chain gets... that's all about geometry.

i hear what you are saying but i have identical measurements with me on the bike and with me off the bike..

04-21-2008, 12:00 PM	#1
Quick281 Victim of Blazer Rapage Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Talkeetna, AK Moto: 06 GSXR 600 Posts: 1,707	Tightening the chain? I tried to tighten the chain the other day while doing a variety of other things to my bike. I was sure to make sure that it is evenly matched on each side of the swing arm but I fear that I may have over tightened it. I am going to loosen it up today but I was wondering if there is a sure fire way to know how much slack is good for the chain. I am probably over paranoid about slack in the chain and therefore tightened it when I didn't need to. I noticed that it was making a loud zipping noise and seemed to make an odd vibration at about 10 mph when slowing down. I was out of town all weekend so I haven't been on the bike or able to work on the bike but I was thinking about spending the day trying to get everything back to where it was. Lesson: Don't fix what isn't broke. __________________ -Alex- Resident TWFix Noob. My 06 GSXR 600 <-- Its Clickable Fools.

04-21-2008, 12:27 PM	#4
Quick281 Victim of Blazer Rapage Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Talkeetna, AK Moto: 06 GSXR 600 Posts: 1,707	I have a service manual, it says .8 to 1.2 inches of slack. I thought it was easily within that, but I don't know. It also notes that I need to have the bike on its side stand for accurate adjustment. I have it on the stands so maybe that has something to do with it although I can't figure out what. The rear axle nut is supposed to be 75. ft lbs but I do not have a torque wrench. Maybe that is part of the problem. __________________ -Alex- Resident TWFix Noob. My 06 GSXR 600 <-- Its Clickable Fools.

04-21-2008, 04:46 PM	#6
6doublefive321 Resident Droog Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northern burbs, Atlanta Moto: 625 SMC, '08 Tuono R Posts: 471	Too loose = bad, too tight = worse. If you chain is loose, you will hear it slapping around. If its too tight, you may not hear anything or some type of popping. Over tightened chains can mess your shit up. They can wear out or break a counter shaft in little or no time at all. First of all, buy a steel, millimeter ruler to check the alignment with. The tick marks on the swingarm are not precise enough to get the alignment right. Next, loosen everything up and re-adjust the chain so that you have the correct amount of slack, and a good alignment. Do each side, a little at a time, and alternate back and forth. If you go too far and the chain is too tight, loosen the adjustment nuts up, knock the wheel forward, and start again. Now, tighten the axle nut down and test ride it. __________________ I'm sick and tired of being bored.

04-26-2008, 11:32 PM	#9
Gas Man Trip's Assistant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Imported from Detroit Moto: 2009 HD Street Classic Posts: 12,149	Also when tightening the chain you should have the rider on it. The more weight on the bike the tighter the chain gets... that's all about geometry. __________________ -Chris "Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?" Run Amsoil Product