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How do you adjust a chain if you only have side-stand?

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Jamey
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 08 Aug 2011
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PostPosted: 20:59 - 29 Sep 2011    Post subject: How do you adjust a chain if you only have side-stand? Reply with quote
As you can see from my sig, I haven't actually passed yet and neither do I have a bike.

Currently mulling over the pros and cons of various bikes and one of them is a Versys but they only have side-stands fitted as stock, I believe.

I live in a small flat with no garden and no outdoor space at all (no garage, nothing) so maintenance is a bit of a concern for me.

Can you adjust a chain with the bike on a side=stand or do you need one of those little trolley things that goes near the back wheel and lifts the rear up? How do they work and how much are they?
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yen_powell
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Joined: 22 Jun 2008
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PostPosted: 21:05 - 29 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
You can adjust it on the sidestand, but it's easier with the rear wheel in the air, less stress on the adjusters. I usually use a single lighweight car axle stand though.

Put the bike on the side stand. Go round to the opposite side, push the bike over slightly balanced on the front tyre and sidestand. Push the axle stand under the right hand footrest bracket with your foot and you can now adjust the chain or even remove the wheel for a tyre change etc.

With a bit of practice (you have to decide how high to set the axle stand) you can do this in seconds.
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Jamey
Trackday Trickster



Joined: 08 Aug 2011
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PostPosted: 21:07 - 29 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Cheers... So you do definitely have to have the rear wheel up off the floor, do you? It's not an option to have it touching the ground while doing the adjusting?

I'm just playing devil's advocate and making sure I understand, here btw Smile
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MikeyBrown
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 05 Nov 2010
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PostPosted: 00:08 - 30 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
You can adjust the chain whilst the bike is on the sidestand

Luckily, my bike has the choice of either, so I can adjust and lubricate the chain whilst it's on the centre stand

It might be worth investing in a paddock stand anyway...you never know when they may come in handy Wink
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Tenko
Could Be A Chat Bot



Joined: 09 Jul 2011
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PostPosted: 00:26 - 30 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Much better with a paddock stand - you will find adjusting and cleaning the chain so much easier if you can spin the rear wheel - also cleaning the rear wheel when the chainlube goes all over it is much faster with a paddock stand. It'll also save you getting a long line of oily marks on wherever you decide to do it...
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Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 09:53 - 30 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi

Chain adjusters should be fine with the bike on the side stand. On anything with just a side stand I will virtually never bother to put it on a paddock stand to adjust the chain.

All the best

Keith
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whitedevil
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Joined: 28 Nov 2010
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PostPosted: 09:57 - 30 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Ive done it loads of times on the side stand without any issues.
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chris-red
Have you considered a TDM?



Joined: 21 Sep 2005
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PostPosted: 10:24 - 30 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
I can easily lift the rear of my bike with an abba stand, I don't bother when doing the chain it isn't a problem.
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Rowey
World Chat Champion



Joined: 07 Oct 2007
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PostPosted: 10:59 - 30 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
I've always adjusted my chain on the side stand despite having an abba and rear stand. Just make sure when you check for free play you put your weight over the seat.

Stands are very useful though for cleaning and maintenance. If you're going to get one, fork out the extra cash for an abba sports bike stand. They're far more useful than paddock stands on bikes without a centre stand.
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Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 11:09 - 30 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rowey wrote:
Just make sure when you check for free play you put your weight over the seat.


That would probably leave the chain slacker than it needs to be. I haven't seen any saying to check the tension when under load. Quick check of a few manuals and the ZZR600 says to check it on the centre stand, GSXR1100 just saying on the side stand and the FZR600 says to check it when upright with both wheels on the ground but without anyone sitting on it.

The free play is to account for the chain getting tighter as the suspension compresses (up to a point), so you shouldn't really need to compress it before checking it.

All the best

Keith
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Rowey
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Joined: 07 Oct 2007
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PostPosted: 11:24 - 30 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Kickstart wrote:
Rowey wrote:
Just make sure when you check for free play you put your weight over the seat.


The free play is to account for the chain getting tighter as the suspension compresses (up to a point), so you shouldn't really need to compress it before checking it.


Hmmm, come to think of it. I've never read a manual telling me to do it either. I got this from a fairly old experienced mechanic I used to get some work done. And his advice was to lay on the seat while checking the slack. I didn't argue with him, instead doing it from then on. Can't say I've ever had any problems with my chains since doing it. Logically it seemed sound as it meant the chain was at the correct tension when you sat on it, not whilst unloaded.
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Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 11:37 - 30 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Rowey wrote:
Logically it seemed sound as it meant the chain was at the correct tension when you sat on it, not whilst unloaded.


I can see the logic behind the idea but afraid I don't agree with it. The suspension will compress far more when you hit a bump, so making the chain tighter. The tension given is to take account of how much the chain gets tighter (which will vary between bikes depending on swinging arm angle, length, distance from front sprocket to swinging arm spindle), so if you start with it already pre tensioned by compressing the suspension then you should set it to have less slack.

Having it not under load or at least under minimal load means you are starting from a standard position rather than one that varies depending on how much of a bloater the rider is.

All the best

Keith
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Rowey
World Chat Champion



Joined: 07 Oct 2007
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PostPosted: 11:56 - 30 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Kickstart wrote:
Having it not under load or at least under minimal load means you are starting from a standard position rather than one that varies depending on how much of a bloater the rider is.


I see where you're coming from. If I was to set the slack with my weight on it, then a porker was to do the same (assuming no suspension sag/preload has been changed) then the chain is going to be tensioned differently each time.

For me it's not seemed weird. But as the manuals and you (a very learned fellow) say it's not necessary, I think I'll break this habit.
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Kickstart
The Oracle



Joined: 04 Feb 2002
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PostPosted: 12:00 - 30 Sep 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi

Could be interesting to have a play and see how much difference it makes in the real world.

Suspect with most riders / bikes the difference would be well within the margins that I could be bothered adjusting it to.

All the best

Keith
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