Wilsons Sandbox

> Hey Y'all, > I read a few days ago a post about adjusting the chain on the

> Really made good sense to make sure that the chain doesn't bind > through the whole movement of the swingarm. The lister who said

> he took the lower bolt out of the shock to let the suspension go > through the whole movement is on to something, but I tried this > maneuver with great sucess; I took two rachet tie down straps that

> use to secure my bikes to the trailer, and put the hooks on the > luggage rack grab handles, and down to the swingarm. Pulled it all > tight until the swingarm was straight with the chain (axle farthest > away from the countershaft) and adjusted the chain just a tad loose > there, maybe 10mm of movement. Then I just let the straps loose,

> then record the measurement with the bike at rest during the

> adjustments, and presto!, I have my new measurement for chain slack > to go by. Way easier than taking suspension parts out, and it only > takes about 2 minutes to set up. Never guess again if the chain

> get too tight through the travel of the rear swingarm. Critique if > you must.... > > Brian > A12

> --- In DSN_klr650@y..., "btl6847" wrote: > > Hey Y'all, > > I read a few days ago a post about adjusting the chain on the > KLR. > > Really made good sense to make sure that the chain doesn't bind > > through the whole movement of the swingarm. The lister who said > that > > he took the lower bolt out of the shock to let the suspension go > > through the whole movement is on to something, but I tried this > > maneuver with great sucess; I took two rachet tie down straps

> I > > use to secure my bikes to the trailer, and put the hooks on the > > luggage rack grab handles, and down to the swingarm. Pulled it

> > tight until the swingarm was straight with the chain (axle

> > away from the countershaft) and adjusted the chain just a tad

> > there, maybe 10mm of movement. Then I just let the straps loose, > and > > then record the measurement with the bike at rest during the > regular > > adjustments, and presto!, I have my new measurement for chain

> > to go by. Way easier than taking suspension parts out, and it

> > takes about 2 minutes to set up. Never guess again if the chain > will > > get too tight through the travel of the rear swingarm. Critique

> > you must.... > > > > Brian > > A12 > > Brad asked me to post the final measurement of the chain. Going by > the manual for checking chain slack, it has 63mm from the tightest > spot in the chain. This is guaranteed to not bind MY CHAIN. I run a > 14-43 with 106 links, DID x-ring chain. This is on the loose side

> 3mm. Kawasaki specs 50-60mm. Sooooo, it's just a hair loose, but > better in my opinion. If someone wants to try it out, and you don't > have rachet straps, but just the regular cam lock ones, get someone > to help push the rear suspension down while you tighten the straps. > If I would have the chain in the minimum adjustment per KHI > recommendations, I feel it would be too tight at the point of

> where the chain gets to be it's shortest. Works for me, might/might > not work for others... > > Brian > A12

>A12 up to Alaska. Been thinking TW42, but recently found a rear gripster >at a local shop and I'm curious to try it out. Anyone know the avg. >mileage I might expect out of a rear gripster? I've already checked the >archives here and on the DSN list, no luck.