My chain needs tightening, help?

[KM85]

Hi guys,

I ride Honda CBF125

I just took my bike out the shed from Winter, its been about 3 months since ive last been on it. Actually, its been since my auntie came off of hers and broke her hand.

Doing an inspection before going out on it, i noticed that the chain was quite "droopy".

I watched Youtube tutorial but i didnt feel confident going ahead and trying it myself. Any other ideas? Id preferably like to take it somewhere and watch them do it so i can see how its done then do it myself.

Any input would be great, thanks in advance.

Kyle

[Dcwhite1984]

It's not difficult, just loosen the rear axle bolt, then you should have an adjuster each side of the swingarm, make sure you wind these equally, i normally do half a turn or quarter of a turn at a time untill i get the required play in the chain.

Once your chain is sorted then tighten the axle bolt to the correct torque.

Im sure if theres someone on here near you then they'll pop round and show you

Or if you know a local garage im sure they wouldnt mind you popping it down there but could be a bit dodgy to ride it if its really loose.
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The trick to life is to not get too attached to it.........

[Itchy]

Seriously it is a case of 3 bolts. The spindle and the adjusters.

Undo the spindle, give the adjusters on both sides 1/4 of a turn with an 8 spanner check the tension too slack do it again. Do not over tighten as when you sit on it and do up the spindle/axle it will tighten up.

The only side effects if you get it wrong are accelerated and asymmetric wear. Unless you've got it so badly adjusted that your wheels are way out of alignment.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Rogerborg]

[Itchy]

Ahh a bit OT but does anybody remember the old days?

We'd have a crack at it ourselves and when we messed it up THEN we'd take it to a mechanic who would subsequently tut and moan at us for our ineptitude... but more often than not what we did worked.
____________________
Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Itchy]

[KM85]

Cheers guys!

Just new to riding so I didnt really wanna go ahead and fuck it up for myself. I'll wait till a sunny Sunday and get out and try it myself!

There's nothing wrong with Glasgow, I'll maybe try and punch you but that's pretty much our way of saying thanks!

Also, should i tighten the bolts up to the point of which they are at just now?

[Rogerborg]

[316lad]

If you have a nice metal ruler - or tape measure - use it to measure the amount of bolt exposed outside of the nut on each side chain tensioner to ensure you're keeping the back wheel straight on the swinging arm.

Chain should have about 20mm up and down at mid-way along it's bottom length.

Then, tighten the axle back up (to Grunt and a half as specified above) and you're good to go.

[1198]

If you have a reasonably straight edge (I use a wooden stick) use it against first the left then right hand sides of the rear wheel then measure the gap to see the two wheels are lined up true. It'll make little if any difference to the ride or handling but it'll stop an ultra keen (ultra anal?) mot tester failing it on wheel alignment.

[316lad]