How to set your chain tension

[Lee]

Yes, some may scoff at this thread, but I have had more than one mate whine that gear changes have become clunky or false neutrals are appearing between gears (between fifth and sixth is commonest)
All signs that the chain requires attention.
Heres how to do it.

First of all, lift the bike onto its center stand/paddock stand and loosen the rear spindle


Next its time to locate the tightest part of the chain, I normally do this by looking between the chain and the lowest edge of the swingarm and then slowly turning the rear wheel
On this photo I have placed a pointer to show the line that you should be looking down.
You will notice that on the first photo there is more daylight between the chain and swing arm than there is on the second photo



Now we have located the tightest part of the chain, we can mark the chain with a bit of chalk or by marking the six o clock position of the rear wheel.
Next job is to alter the adjusting nuts either side of the rear wheel.
Some bikes have markers to align the wheel. I personally dont trust em.
Swingarms should be straight, the adjusting bolts should also be straight and of equal length. The first time I adjust a bikes chain I remove the adjuster bolts, check they are the same length, then re-fit them and turn them all the way in so that the chain is slacker than an MFI wardrobe. Next I begin the tensioning counting the turns (sequentially) on both sides until the desired tension is achieved(left one half a turn, right one half a turn and so on)

[Lee]

Next, the bike needs to be put back on two wheels and an assistant should sit on the bike. Keeping the chain at its tightest point (using the chalk markers on the chain/back wheel) The bike should be in neutral.

Now the tensioning can begin.
On the Honda's there is a small strip of rubber on the underside of the swingarm (directly under the arrow)
With the chain in its tightest postion it should be possible to push the chain up and touch the end of the rubber strip (but not the metal part of the swingarm to the right of it)
.
On this first photo the chain is still too slack and requires further tensioning on the adjuster bolts either side of the swingarm
Remember to turn them both sequencially.


On this second photo the chain tension is correct, at its tightest point it can be pushed up to the end of the rubber strip but no further.
You will find here that you are turning the adjuster bolts as little as one flat (per side) to get the tension just right ;-)



On the final picture the chain has been over tightened. This will put undue wear on the chain, the sprockets and the bearing behind the front drive sprocket.

*better to have it a little on the slack side than a little on the tight side



The tensioning is now done.
The rear spindle can now be re-tightened


Dont go crazy here when it comes to tightening the rear wheel (especially if you respect your rear bearings)

Use a torque wrench in accordance with the manufacturers spec.

If you dont have a torque wrench, borrow one (you will only need to borrow it once)



Once its tightened up correctly, using some girly nail varnish, paint the uppermost side of the wheel spindle nut. This way, next time you do it, you will know just how far to tighten it without the use of your mates torque wrench ;-) (remember to paint the other side as well)
*applying paint here also makes spotting a loosening spindle bolt a lot more obvious too ;-)


now get a bit of HEAVY gearbox oil squirted onto the chain..and your good to go

Apologies for the low levels of light...it is winter now!

[Steely]

Great article Lee , do you know anyone who fit chain and sprockets to my CBR600F ? I have the parts but lack the proper tools for this job.

[iconic944ss]

Great write up and photos but I think its worth mentioning to RECHECK the chain tension AFTER doing up the axle bolt. I've had smaller bikes that were cronic for putting tension back into the chain once the nuts were tightened

Cheers - Frank

[blackshadow]

+1 for that info lee

[burger]

Good thread Lee, I wonder, how many people dont know basic bike maintenance?

I know when I passed my old man sat me down and went through everything but Im sure most did not have that luxuary. Shall we do a basic maintenance book?

[Lee]

its been on a while now this thread... Its also on a number of furums.. I might get around to taking some new pictures with a decent camera and updating it a little

[David]

Haynes - Chain Maintenance.