When adjusting the chain

[Muscle Bike Rider]

If you are say 1 to 5mm difference when adjusting the chain will it make much difference?, I normally do it a quarter turn each side at a time but its never going to be the ecaxt same amount to the mm so how much leeway is acceptable?


Ta folks.
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Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[Frost]

You can get away with a surprising amount. It won't be good for your chain and sprockets or the bike's handling though. Measure how much of the chain adjuster pokes out, either with a ruler or digital calliper. Adjust the side with the sprocket on first then do the other one to match.

[Babba]

Personally, I don't think any amount of leeway is acceptable.

Don't rely on your adjuster marks, they're notoriously innaccurate for ensuring the rear wheel is correctly in line with the front.

Every Haynes destruction manual has a section on how to use straight edges to measure the alignment, this should be considered the absolute minimum & basic way to check.

[Walloper]

You don't need a straight edge to check wheel/frame alignment.
Adjust the chain to the specified sag. Rotate and check at several positions.

Take a long piece of string.
Tie it to a wheel rear spoke.
Pull the string around the back of the tyre (at a height just below any bodywork that sticks out) and all the way to the front wheel to about the same height.
Pull the string taught then move the end in to the front wheel until it just touches.
There should be a gap at the back of the front wheel.
Record this gap.
Do the same with the string on the other side.
Compare the gap with the other side and adjust the rear wheel to suit.

Easier to do on centre stand or a paddock stand.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Must get myself some aluminium straight-edges.

Until then as suggested I used the string method. Only needed to do it the once. The difference between the 2 adjusters on the 250 were out by 4mm IIRC(jotted down in manual)
https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/WA004.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/WA016.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/WA011-1.jpg

https://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m174/howlingterror_2006/WA003.jpg
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[Muscle Bike Rider]

Cheers guys, mine are out by about 1.5mm so think I'll invest in a digital caliper to get it spot on, didn't think that small a difference would be damaging.
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Previously Known As A5tra_G
Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
Current Bike : XJR1300

[WannaBeDude]

I'm buying a next to NO adjustment chain,

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Jogging on, destination living.