How tight should a chain be?

Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
cruisinflatout
Elite
Elite
Posts: 189
Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2005 8:24 am
Sex: Male
Location: Regina, SK

#11 Unread post by cruisinflatout »

Sevulturus wrote:About 3/4 to 1.5 inches depending on the bike. I believe that is under load. Meaning if it's 3/4 of an inch deflection while the back wheel is off the ground (to adjust) it'll probably be to tight once you sit on it, and the swingarm moves tightening the chain.
About time someone said under load. You have to have the rear shock compressed in order to see how much slack the chain has as if you were riding it. 3/4 " under load should be plenty.

If you check and adjust it with no load on the bike, you run the risk of doing damage to your sprockets etc.
cruise flat out - www.cruiseflatout.com

With the re-emergence of naked bikes, one day soon, real men will be able to bring their motors out of the false shadows of molded plastic and show their motors to the world without fear of ridicule or shame.
Top
User avatar
flynrider
Site Supporter - Platinum
Site Supporter - Platinum
Posts: 2391
Joined: Thu Jul 21, 2005 1:36 pm
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 30
My Motorcycle: '93 Honda Nighthawk 750
Location: Phoenix, AZ

#12 Unread post by flynrider »

cruisinflatout wrote: If you check and adjust it with no load on the bike, you run the risk of doing damage to your sprockets etc.
Bike manufacturers know how much the swingarm will move with the maximum load and take that into account when specifying the amount of slack. They will also tell you how to position the bike before measuring (i.e. sidestand, centerstand, etc...). All of the bikes I've owned, the chain tension was supposed to be checked with the bike on the sidestand, with no load. Your manual might be different, but I've never heard of one that wanted you to put weight on the bike before checking the chain slack.
Bikin' John
'93 Honda CB750 Nighthawk
Top
Post Reply

Return to “Beginning Bikers”