Chain adjustment advice

[biker7]

I have always adjusted my chains by doing the same turn on both sides and then letting the dealer make any alignments when it goes in for its regular service. Since buying the new Gixxer 600 I have been a little more concerned to keep it good most of the time. I have seen a lot of chain adjustment videos and the methods vary. Even the Gixxer workshop manual is vague. Any experts out there? Is it best to line up the markers on each side exactly or is this only a rough guide? I understand that measurement from centre rear and front sprocket positions on each side is the only way to check correct alignment of wheel - trouble is the exhaust gets in the way on one side! Is it best to make the first adjust ment on the sprocket side and then the exhaust side or the other way round. Is there more chance that hit and miss adjustment of the chain can cause problems and it might be better to pop into the dealer to have a mechanic do it if it appears to be getting slack. I have never really worried too much about all this before but with the fast downshifting and high revs I seem to be subjecting my Gixxer to - I think the time has come to be a bit more fussy! Thanks for any input here. Any good links would also be appreciated.
____________________
Swansea area
Fat Bob (2019)

[skiptalker]

i find bike on side stand,glossy mags under back tyre,loosen back wheel nut adjust chain adjusters checking chain as moving them..i solely rely on marks on frame..tighten back nut when done and adjusters

[jeddy11]

If you have any concerns then use a ruler and measure the rim of the wheel to the swing arm both sides should be equal (for peace of mind).
____________________
Fuelly My Z1000SX
cbt 06/08/11 mod1 (second go) 01/08/12 mod2 21/09/12
Varadero Viking YBR125>Varadero125>ER6F>Z1000SX !!!

[Islander]

For complete accuracy, measure from the centre of the wheel spindle to the centre of the swingarm pivot. It should be exactly the same on both sides.

[Vincent]

[bladerunner]

Using the swing arm marks will be good enough....I always check for the tightest point in the chain and adjust free play at that point.
____________________
Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's

[GREENI3]

I tend to measure the length of visible thread on each adjuster and/or count the number of threads.

Much more reliable than the swingarm markings.

[biker7]

Thanks for input - succesfully adjusted chain and aligned wheel today.
____________________
Swansea area
Fat Bob (2019)

[geordiecbrblo...]

If you like bling tools - get a set of these !

https://www.maxtonsuspension.co.uk/files/wheelalignment.htm

But yeah, wheel alignment would have to be way out before the average rider noticed any difference.

[Walloper]

[Walloper]

[Dazbo666]

TWO straight edges of square tube?? Where do they come up with such innovative technology?!?!

I tend to use the swing arm markings... (and previously also double-checked the accuracy of those markings)
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[blurredman]

I used the markings on my CG swingarm for a while but then realised they were not the same each side for some reason.


So as long as the bolt lengths were the same I used that as the measuring source although that could just be as out of alignment.

The best way is measuring from the swingarm bolt to the rear wheel spindle.
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 52k.

[Vincent]

With some adjusters, you can reverse them, measure accurately, then stick your own markings on.
____________________
Space Is Deep

[biker7]

It's amazing how much smoother the changes are when the chain is adjusted properly plus the torque seems better too.
____________________
Swansea area
Fat Bob (2019)

[Walloper]

[Alpha-9]

[Pigeon]

Got to be careful.....stating the obvious.

I tightened my chain, to as close to 20-25mm as I could get.
The gear changes went from clunky to super smooth, the acceleration and de-celeration were much improved too.

BUT, I missed the tightest point on the chain and in on place it was nearer 10-15mm tight. Pulled the seal on the final drive. Now I have an oil leak (very minor, few drips after stopping the bike each time).

The chain has stretched over the last 6 weeks, but the oil leak remains.

Tripple check the slackness is all I'm saying

[Pete.]

Here's a tip. You don't have to measure from the swing-arm pivot every time - just the once. Do that and get your spindle square then place a squared object of some kind against the back of your axle blocks on the gixxer and scribe a line in the well of the axle slot each side. This line is now the same distance from the swingarm pivot both sides and now all you need to do is measure from the mark to the back of the axle block.

Bear in mind that the axle is not a snug fit in the blocks so you have to make sure you take up the slack in the same direction both sides when you make your marks.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Alpha-9]

Honestly I just put a bit of card or something as a marker and measure the amount of thread on the adjuster bolts, then check it with the notches, seems fine

Long as you've got stock adjuster and bolts obviously
____________________
Fzr-600 1999