Adjusting chains

[SoulRider]

Just a quick question really, im going to get a 30mil socket bit soon and start tightening my chain up, i obviously cant check the play while sitting on it so when im tightening it (whilst on paddock stand) how much play should there be for a chain to be nice and tight?

Obviously i dont want it to tight by mistake so thought i would check first.

Cheers
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[iand]

your best off checking the user manual or haynes manual, my FZ6 says 45-55mm, but my Z500 says 25-35mm.

Iand

[veeeffarr]

30mm socket?

Don't forget 'free play' is loose slack, not how much the rock solid tight chain bends

[SoulRider]

Yup big 30mm socket for my back wheel, and i know its loose slack lol.

Ill check my haynes manual later to see what it says.
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[Finglonga]

Depends from bike to bike on the chain tension.

Always adjust at the chains tightest point, and when you are sitting on it as when its on the paddock stand there is no load on the rear suspension. If it needs moving just lob it back onto the stand.
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[SoulRider]

When i watched them in the garage there was no one sitting on it, he tested the play with the back wheel spinning.

Are you saying i should tighten it a bit, sit on it test the play then tighten more if nessecery?
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[MarJay]

[demoNSR]

Is it normal to have tight spots on the chain? As i just had new tyres fitted a few days ago, and when the wheel was put back on, the guy was spinning the wheel and there is a couple of tight spots after adjustment, where the wheel becomes stiff while spinning. I had tried to adjust my chain before this myself, and found i got the same problem, and thought i was doing something wrong. So when the mechanic found the same problem, i asked if it was normal, and he said yeh, sometimes. I am a bit dubious, and was wondering if my front sprocket might be warped. The wheel spun straight though, when i put the bike on the paddock stand. I even put it in first gear, stood back and watched, and the wheel seemed to spin straight and true. Any ideas??

[Rookie]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Finglonga]

I would always check the chain after going to garages (even main stealers) as they just adjust it as quick as they can to get it out the way. i have got back before now and heard the chain "cracking" as it was that tight!
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[Grubby]

[Feasty]

And just to quickly ask the question I'm sure is on the tips of everyone's tongues whilst reading this thread!

What's the best and quickest way of checking where the tightspots are on a chain?

[Finglonga]

[demoNSR]

Thanks guys, I was a bit worried that i had a warped sprocket or something. I do keep the chain lubed regularly, but i will check the teeth on the sprocket etc, and try adjusting the chain like Finlonga described. Cheers fellas, very useful tips.

[cagiva gezzer]

Use a tapemeasure / rule down each side of the swing arm to get the rear end square.
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"because one stroke isnt enough and four strokes waste two"

[demoNSR]

Yeh i have tried that, cheers. So i think my chain is probably stretched in 1 or 2 places. It is kept well lubed though, so i don't think it is corrosion, as it has never been let to go dry while i have had it. And it was perfect when i bought the bike in october, no tight spots. Thinking of getting a new chain and sprocket set for it for de-restriction anyway. Just hope it doesn't snap in the meantime.