04-23-2021, 11:03 AM
We can solve this question once and for all if someone is willing to perform an experiment: Put your bike on the centerstand, unbolt or remove the rear shocks, raise the rear wheel up to where the centerline between the drive sprocket and the rear axle are parallel to the ground (this is the position where the chain will become the tightest), and adjust the chain "tension" (not slack) in this orientation - not too tight, not too loose. Then, reattach the shocks and measure the slack. I did this with my Honda XR650L and as as result I run a little more slack than what Honda recommends.