Chain Tightening

[BLK]

Chain tightening.

At the risk of once again revealing my ignorance of motorcycles, especially my own, I think I just figured something out.

But please correct me if I am wrong.

If I use my rear stand while tightening my chain I can then avoid the whole process of having to roll the bike forward with a wrench jammed in between the sprocket and chain in order to maintain the tension on the chain while tightening the axel. 

It seems to me that by having the bike on the rear stand, set as far back on the swing arm as possible, you get roughly the same amount of flex in the swing arm as you would if the bike were on the ground but without any pressure on the wheel/axel, thus allowing the axel to move freely during adjustment.

I have tried this method three times on three different bikes with great results. (My Bandit 1200, a Katana 600 and a Nighthawk 750)

What say you all? Is this a method well established and I am just now figuring it out or am I getting what might be considered a false positive?


blk

[Jay96B6]

You also need to consider the weight of the rider.

[BLK]

So what you are saying is that I should have someone sit on the bike while it's up on the rear stand? Well, that hardly sounds safe now does it.

All kidding aside I do take that into consideration it just seems a whole lot easier to compensate for that one variable than the two or three you have to consider otherwise.

blk

[pmackie]

Nothing wrong with using a rear stand...I just use the centre stand. Slightly tightening the axle and giving the rear tire a good boot will make sure the axle is all the way forward.

Remember that the tightest point will be when the countershaft sprocket, swingarm pivot and rear axle all line up, so even on the ground or rear stand you still need to leave approx 1-1/4" of slack.

[Blade]

Actually you have to set the chain slack with both tires on the ground or you risk getting the chain to tight. The reason is the swingarm rotates on an arc. Which means as the swingarm moves up towards the seat, the rear sprocket moves further back which causes the chain to tighten.

If you want to adjust the chain on the center stand, I would recommend doing it first like you are supposed to with the wheels on the ground. Then using the tightest point in the chain, adjust to the correct slack. Now put the bike on the center stand, then using the same point in the chain that you adjusted to with the rear wheel on the ground, check your slack again and see what it is.

Then use this for your measurement when on the center stand. Just remember to always use the tightest point in the chain.

An easier way is to get a rear stand to lift the rear wheel off the ground a couple of inches using the swingarm and simulating the wheel on the ground. Also makes it easier to oil the chain.

[Barbarian]

I just kept the bike on the kickstand when I adjusted the chain. Both wheels on the ground, and I just needed to work those biceps a bit more.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something though. 

[mademiriam]

I just kept the bike on the kickstand when I adjusted the chain. Both wheels on the ground, and I just needed to work those biceps a bit more.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something though. 

odd this is all I've ever done, just did it like this yesterday...had a few moments to kill while my friend got kitted up by ride and managed to use the tool kit from the bikes. Who knew it was so useful.

[bngboyd]

I just kept the bike on the kickstand when I adjusted the chain. Both wheels on the ground, and I just needed to work those biceps a bit more.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding something though. 

Yup, me too. That is how I have always done it. Am I doing something wrong???

[Sven]

For whatever reason, the OEM practise is to use the centerstand, which seems counter-intuitive since you assess the chain's slack on the sidestand.  THe first time I did this, the chain ended up being so tight, I thought I'd never get it back to a more slack position.  Adjusting out is easy, the bolts help push.  Adjusting back in, not so easy!

[Red01]

My OE (Suzuki) manual tells you to adjust on the kickstand... 

[snofrog]

run a cinch strap from swingarm through grabrails . sit on bike .set loaded hight with strap . put on center stand. adjust chain  . M

[BLK]

SnoFrog:

I don't have the grab rails (03 Naked) but I like the idea. I think I might be able to come up with a rather suitable alternative.

Thanks for tip.

BLK

[GETFURIOUS]

My OE (Suzuki) manual tells you to adjust on the kickstand... 

THAT IS THE SAME WAY THAT I HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT.....

[jimyed]

I feel like an Idiot. Probably am an Idiot come to think of it . I just tightened the chain on the centre stand. I don't think it's overtight but i'll check when I get home.   

Well it was tight, not by a lot but tight. I reread the manual and yes it says Kickstand  I was so happy to have a centre stand I didn't think about compresing the suspention when tightening the chain. Well at least i found upoot before I rode too far.

[Fordtech]

Personally I do adjust on the centrestand. Personally the biggest issue is chain alignment too!!!!!!! Do NOT BELIEVE IN ANY WAY that the marks on the swingarm are even. Depending whre I do the adjust I use either a Motion Pro aligning tool OR a 36 inch long carpentry level pressed against the rear tire side.......and sight up the level once chain is tight. This is a few step process as chain slack will change as you tighten the rear axle nut. Keep checking slack as you tighten things into place.
LAst chain I installed is a DID....and it has barely stretched....UNLIKE the chain the bike came with new......