10-06-2020, 05:17 AM
Max, in my earlier post, I meant to say you are usually right on the money. Apologies for the error.
I usually make sure the chain is in spec before setting out on a longish trip, lube it occasionally while away and then check and adjust if necessary when I get home. I’ve only once had a problem—the first time I suffered from the clanking described above—and I tried adjusting the chain. Pterodactyl and Inhouse Bob were with me and we did it by sight. Tension wasn’t the problem.
A bush mechanic, if really stuck, would probably find a straight-ish stick and scratch a mark on it. Using the middle joint of the little finger to measure, said bush mechanic would make another mark that distance from the first. That joint is around 1” or 25mm long which would give one a minimum spec. From there, I think you could make a reasonable guess about whether it was way too loose.
Speaking only for myself, if the chain needed tightening after I’d measured it, and I really was in the middle of no-where, I have no idea how I’d fabricate a lever sufficient to loosen (and then re-tighten) the 83 ft-lb rear axle nut. The Honda toolkit is not up to the task.
I usually make sure the chain is in spec before setting out on a longish trip, lube it occasionally while away and then check and adjust if necessary when I get home. I’ve only once had a problem—the first time I suffered from the clanking described above—and I tried adjusting the chain. Pterodactyl and Inhouse Bob were with me and we did it by sight. Tension wasn’t the problem.
A bush mechanic, if really stuck, would probably find a straight-ish stick and scratch a mark on it. Using the middle joint of the little finger to measure, said bush mechanic would make another mark that distance from the first. That joint is around 1” or 25mm long which would give one a minimum spec. From there, I think you could make a reasonable guess about whether it was way too loose.
Speaking only for myself, if the chain needed tightening after I’d measured it, and I really was in the middle of no-where, I have no idea how I’d fabricate a lever sufficient to loosen (and then re-tighten) the 83 ft-lb rear axle nut. The Honda toolkit is not up to the task.