Chain adjustment (London)

[Artur]

I guys, I realised I need to adjust the chain on my bike. I got the bike for just over a month now, I know this can be done at home but I'm not confortable doing it just yet (and do not have the tools actually), the only thing I can do is cleaning and lubing it.
Does any of you knows a good place where I can have this done in London? better NW London (live near Wembley). And by the way, what would be cost of having the chain adjusted?
Thanks guys.

[G]

It is very, very simple.
If you've got a tool kit with the bike, it should be able to do it, though will depend on the bike.

Loosen the rear wheel spindle, equally adjust adjusters until the chain is at the specified tightness. Then tighten spindle nut.

I'm sure you can find some illustrated guides on the net if you have a google.

[Frost]

By my estimates it's 3 bolts. Essentially the only thing holding the chain at it's current tension is the back wheel being locked in place. undoing the spindle allows you to slide it back using the adjusters on the end of the swing arm. Once its tight do the back wheel up again and your done. You might aswel buy yourself a set of spanners, it will be cheaper in the long run, and you won't have reason to put off doing it.

[Artur]

hmmm... you're getting me motivated for doing it myself! Do I need to have the back wheel off the ground? Haven't got a paddock stand yet!
But what would the cost be of having it done in a garage?
I know it makes sense doing it myself, I want to learn to do most of the things by myself, but I just begining in this bike world
Oh and it's a Hornet 600cc 2004.

[G]

You don't need a paddock stand.
If you're lucky, the garage might do it for free, if you unlucky they'll book you in and charge you £50 + vat.

Imagine walking in a shoe store and asking them to tie your shoes for you - not everyone can do it, but it's really not a hard skill to learn (actually probably harder than doing this ).

[neil.]

https://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=13441&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=34578

That one? If so, it's well worth getting the Haynes, even if you have no intention of doing everything in the book, it's a great way to learn about your bike. Don't buy it from the Haynes site, it's cheaper on Amazon.

The first time you do anything to the bike that involves taking tools to it, can be quite daunting but believe me, it becomes second nature after a little while.
____________________
CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Artur]

Tried to do it today but unable to loosen the rear axle :S it's damn tight that thing (which is good in a way huh, hehe)
don't know what to do now, didn't want to pay loads for someone to do it...
Any advise? Or anyone knows somewhere that can do it quite cheap? Again, around Northwest London, Wembley...

[Robby]

You need to learn to do this yourself, it's one of those regular things like checking and topping up your oil level, collant level, brake fluid level, tyre pressures etc. Weekly checks.

I'm in Crystal Palace (SE26). If you come down here I'll make you a cuppa and show you how its done, and take you through the rest of the checks.

[G]

Either a) get a bigger spanner, b) stick something on the end of it or c) stamp on it. In Spain I had the standard took kit one spanner with no extension, took a fair bit of stamping on it to loosen it off, but did the job.

[supZ]

overpriced but something like this can really help boost your confidence when adjusting your chain..

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MOTORCYCLE-CHAIN-TOOL-Chain-Alignment-Tool_W0QQitemZ400089102499QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item5d272b38a3

helps make sure your chain and therefore your wheel is aligned when adjusting.

it really is easy to do. centre stand or paddock stand to get the rear off the floor, loosen the axle bolt, then fiddle with the adjusters til you get the right tension (manual will tell you or go by 25-45mm of travel - distance it moves when you push the chain up)

once happy, double check alignment and retighten axle nut.

job done.

its worth learning as it'll be a HUGE waste of money paying someone a min. hours labour at ?60+ to do something that you can do yourself in under 10mins.

just make sure you check what sockets/spanner sizes you have and need before you start

edit:
just read your last reply..

either find a bit of pipe to go over the spanner to lengthen it or using a soft mallet/hammer hold the spanner and start tapping the top of it. dont whack it but give it a few good taps and it should start to move.

a good idea is to get some 3in1 oil on the nut (penetrating oil) and let it soak in for a while before trying again if it is seized up
____________________
CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[G]

Don't see why you need a stand of any kind, apart from to stop the bike falling over, but a side stand will do fine .

I'm generally happy with using the marks on the swingarm, though they're not always 100%, these days usually close enough in my experience.

[robocog]

Also worth repeating "the chant" several times if your a newcomer to spanners (assuming std threading)

Righty tighty
Lefty loosen

Though should really be
clockwise tighten
anticlockwise loosen
...But just doesn't have the same ring to it

Regards
Rob

[el_oso]

check out youtube. loads and loads and loads and loads and loads + a few more guides on chain adjustment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB4DsHV8SAQ

you tube does have more uses than time wasting
____________________
Duke 390
Previous: '05 XR125L | '96 XJ600S Diversion |'05 Suzuki GSXR1000 | '05 Honda CBR125-R | '97 YZF 600R Thundercat | '11 Honda CBR250
Car: Jeep Wrangler 4.0L

[Artur]

A really big thank you for all your replys
Being watching a lot of you tube videos on this one and feels very confident to do it myself but the problem was/is to loose the rear axle. Will keep you posted when there're more developments

Again, thanks a lot guys