bike chain tension

[donniemateno]

Just washing ym bike and i just wanted to check the tension on my chain as i had the chian and sprocket changed about 2 months ago. i went back after 2 weeks of it being fitted and the guys in the garage said it was fine.

when i push down on the chain it moves about 3-5 mm BUT if i push up on the bottom of the chain it moves a good 2-3 inchs. just wondering if this is the norm as i dont want it flying off!

its a honda xr 125 55 plate

[Taught2BCauti...]

Take a point about half-way between the front and rear sprockets, on the bottom run of the chain. You should be able to push it down and lift it up a total of about 1" to 1.75" (25mm to 43mm) max.

Now rotate the back wheel so that the point you just checked is on the top run of the chain, and check the movement again - if you have no tight spots or kinks in the chain, it should be the same.

It's not unusual for a new chain to need adjusting once or twice during the first month, as it beds itself in.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
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[donniemateno]

just taken picture of the slack. too me looks way to much

[stonesie]

You see that plastic thing attached to the swing arm? hook the end of a tape measure in there under the swinger and take some measurements.

[donniemateno]

before i do i take it the chain shudnt b able to touch the plastic?

[cb1rocket]

no but it need adjusting so you have 25 - 45mm of play up and down in total.

Yes your only be able to push the chain down 3 - 5 mm, but its the overall slack from when you hold the chain to it highest point and push it down to it lowest point. That is where it should be about 25 - 45mm

[donniemateno]

sorry about slow reply! been snowed under please find attached pictures of the free play of the chain 2.5 inch of play in total

[Mikey3]

should be really about 2-3cm of movement. If the chain is bowing then its too slack, also, rotate the wheel to make sure the freeplay is consistent all the way round the chain, if there's tight spots, it could be time to start looking for new chain and sprockets.

HTH
Mike
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'04 Yamaha WR450F
'99 SV650 Streetfighter Project - mid build
'Motorcycling is about what you do; not about what you own, or how much you spend on it'

[Babba]

Chain tension isn't critical to the mm.

An XR should have more swingarm travel than a normal road bike. I think it's best if you check the free play when your full weight is compressing the suspension, might need a hand to do that.

If you have no benchmark to compare what is 'free play' in your chain, then you really need someone who knows to adjust it for you so you can feel how tight the chain should be when you're moving it for the free play.

Ask at your local bike shop, any spannerman worth their salt should willingly take a few mins.

P.S. Where an owner actually bothers to regularly check & adjust their chains, most are too tight. And your chain needs cleaning BTW.

[donniemateno]

best methods to clean? dont want to do what ym bike instructor did and take the tip of my finger off!

[donniemateno]

and i think where i might be going wrong is the weight of someone sitting on it... i remember now when i took it to the garage to have a look at iit after a week he got me to sit on it to check the tension

[chris-red]

[hoptop]

here a video i found for you may be useful
h*tp://www.ehow.com/video_4956935_adjust-motorcycle-chain.html
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stephen james need help ..........................................