chain tension confusion

[Jim Hyman]

Neil, It is important to check & adjust your chain by finding the TIGHTEST point in the chain. You may have originally measured your chain slack at a "loose" spot, moved your bike, & then adjusted the chain at a tight spot. A well maintained chain will have minimal differences between loose & tight. The easiest way to check for loose & tight spots is prop up the right side of the swingarm at the end of the swingarm with a properly sized 2x4 that just lifts the tire off the ground. Rotate the chain 2-3 inches & check the chain slack & repeat, going through 1 complete chain revolution. It helps to have a way of marking the tight spot(s). It's also a good idea to make sure that the rear sprocket is resonably clean & that no foreign matter is in the 'valley' of the sprocket teeth. I have found that 2" (50mm) slack is too tight, 2.5" works for me (my weight=190 lbs). Professor A9 Federal Way, Wa. [USAA] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --- carmic7@a... wrote:

> Hello list: > > I was doing the ole post ride checkup when I thought the

chain might need to be tightened up a bit, took a ruler and checked the slack at the center point between the countershaft and axle. it was about three inches, so I tightened it up to what the specs say, 2-2.4 inches. I then got on the bike, and weighted it fully and asked my dad to check the slack and low and behold, there was none! now visions of wrecked countershaft bearings started to fill my head, so I put it back around 3" and left it. watch out people