Chain Adjustment

[Cabreco]

My K calls for an adjustment of 5/8 to 1" or 15 mm to 25 mm
What is the best tension to adjust to?

I set it to 15 mm by measuring the chain slack off the top of the chain (push up pull down) at approx midway between the sprockets.
It feels ok to me but from the videos I've been seeing on You Tube it appears tight in comparison.

My chain is fairly new (from the indicators on the adjusters) an the sprocket looks ok.
Any thoughts on where I should adjust to? Also aside from wearing the sprocket & chain down faster is there any other downside to adjusting on the tight side?
On the test drive it felt fine.

BTW if anyone has some pix of what the adjustment should look like, it would beappreciatedpreciated.
Thanks

[Re-run]

Adjusting a chain is so simple yet so troublesome. If the chain is too tight, it will accelerate wear on both chain and sprockets. As it wears, it may cause the chain to break but I think that would be pretty extreme.
The addition tightness causes drag and that increase engine load and reduces mileage.

As for doing it right, I adjust it so that the bottom of the chain(closest to the ground) will move up and down about 3/4inch. The best way to do this is to have some one sit on the bike after making an adjustment to see if you have that 3/4 adjustment.

The big thing is to pay attention to the alignment of the chain. You want to make sure the wheel stays straight and that you adjust both sides equally.
What I do is to measure from the swingarm to the rim on both sides and equal them out, then turn the adjustment nuts an equal amount on each side to keep it straight. It works for me but you will want to experiment to see what works best for you.

[Cabreco]

Re-Run

Right on the money!
I backed off the adjuster a smidge & got my 3/4" slack.
I took my measurements like you said from the swing arm to the axle bolt
& found I was off center a little.

A little tweak & another recheck of the slack & I was dead on.
No thunking chain against the guard, no noise, & no drag.

Thanks for the assist.

[Re-run]

Now that you have it aligned, if you turn the adjustment bolts the exact same, it should stay aligned.

[Cabreco]

We're here AGAIN.

How often do these chains need to be adjusted? The manual says every 300 miles. Is this the usual case?
It seems to be loose again. Now that I have the chrome chain guard, I hear it slap every once in a while.
Early warning system!

[TOOLS1]

I always make sure I can move mine at least 1 1/2 inch total up, and down. It is better to be too loose then too tight. You could wear out the counter-shaft bearings.
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

I was wondering about what you said regarding measuring the wheel Rerun. So,you don't trust the tuck marks on the swing arm? I'll have to measure mine this weekend.

As far as adjusting every 300 miles. I was adjusting mine every time I rode when the chain was new. About 50-150 depending strictly on how far I went that day. It finally settled in. Now 1000-1500 miles seems to be when it needs tightening. I have been adjusting to 1" of slack and retightening when it hits 1 1/4-1 1/2 ". But I am also new at all of this. nOOb opinion.

[sgtslag]

Make sure you lubricate your chain every 300 miles...  Makes a big difference on how long they last.  I use Du Pont's "Teflon Multi-Use Dry, Wax Lubricant", on the recommendation of WebBikeWorld.com's reviews.  So far, so good:  minimal fling off, low price, available nearly everywhere (Wal-Mart, Ace Hardware, etc.).  Cheers!

[Re-run]

No, you don't adjust every 300 miles. You brush off some of the old crap and spray on new lube. A chain should be cleaned every so often but maybe twice a year. I do mine once a year and it has been fine.
When you lube, just the tension and adjust IF you need it.

[Re-run]

I thought I trusted them but some have been known to be off. Measuring from the arm to the rim is more accurate unless your arm or frame at the arm joint is bent, which it shouldn't be!

[seestheday]

I think the quality of the chain matters here.  Shiney, didn't you get a chain for a great deal?  I know that I needed a chain very badly and couldn't wait so I ended up buying a high quality one from a ducati dealership.

I've adjusted it exactly once, and that was only because I took my rear tire off.

[shinyribs]

Sees',I agree,quality of the chain would have to make a big difference.My chain came from an Ebay store called Forward Motorsports. Brand name: Factory Spec. I'd say its pretty much a no-name chain. Its an 0-ring chain with gold links for $67 shipped. It was pretty cheap.But like I said,once it took a set it held good.So far at least.I think I set it 3 or 4 times right at first,but it has been over 1,000 miles since i last set my chain.Has moved either.

[Lucky 1]

Your weight MUST be on the bike, and the bike must be off of the center stand when you adjust the chain.

[Cabreco]

Lucky 1 wrote

Your weight MUST be on the bike, and the bike must be off of the center stand when you adjust the chain.

That's not gonna work, guess I'll guestimate.

[shinyribs]

Having wieght on the bike is hard to accomplish as a one man show. I wanted my slack set at 3/4" and found with help ONE night that if I set it to 1" slack with no weight,that when I sit on it the chain tightens to the 3/4" that I wanted. Thats why i use the 1" measurement with the bike on the side stand. Just makes life easy for a lazy guy like me.

[Cabreco]

shinyribs wrote

Having wieght on the bike is hard to accomplish as a one man show. I wanted my slack set at 3/4" and found with help ONE night that if I set it to 1" slack with no weight,that when I sit on it the chain tightens to the 3/4" that I wanted. Thats why i use the 1" measurement with the bike on the side stand. Just makes life easy for a lazy guy like me.

Exactly what I did!
The bike rode great & the chain didn't slap the chrome chain guard (that old plastic one was very forgiving)

Now to come up with a solo seat. I was thinking of a mid to late 80's sportster seat.

[Piute]

  What happens when ya clean the shop floor with a pressure washer,
  Well ya get all this junk crammed in the corners
  Well when ya use (arousal can)spay on oils N such were does the grime go.

                                                    Just A thought ..

[Re-run]

This is why honda and other manufacturers say to have a certain slack. Unless a person is at just the right weight, you cannot get the swing arm at its halfway point, which is when the chain is at its tightest.
By leaving the slack, you account for the swingarm movement. There is just going to be times that you cannot have a person sit on your bike, say, anytime by yourself.
So, is having a person on the bike the best way, maybe, but it is in no way required.

[rrgunslinger]

I check my chain before every ride. And tire pressure.

On Fri, Mar 16, 2012 at 4:24 PM, seestheday [via Honda CB750'S] <[hidden email]> wrote:

I think the quality of the chain matters here.  Shiney, didn't you get a chain for a great deal?  I know that I needed a chain very badly and couldn't wait so I ended up buying a high quality one from a ducati dealership.

I've adjusted it exactly once, and that was only because I took my rear tire off.

1981 CB750K

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