Chain adjustment

[kmoney_imp]

If you want to raise the rear wheel, just get a pit stand that isn't designed for spools. They just lift by holding onto the swingarm edges (it makes them less than ideal, but they still work well).

http://i.imgur.com/1ldjU.jpg

[flynrider]

G'day Lash. A thought occurred to me regarding the adjustment of the chain. If the chain needs adjusting how do you intend to do that with both the rear wheel and the centre stand firmly planted? Even with the rear wheel rolling an accurate adjustment, particularly alignment, might be difficult. I think you will still need to raise the rear wheel.

Cheers

I've owned several bikes that didn't come with a center stand (it was optional on my CB750). Adjusting the chain with both wheels on the ground is pretty easy to do. It just takes a push/pull on the wheel to snug the adjusters against the adjustment bolts. I check the gap on the adjuster with calipers to verify alignment.

[lash_imp]

I finally got a front wheel stand and got the bike to sit level and adjusted the chain to about 1 inch slack. My concern was that it might be the same situation as my KLR, in that the slack in the chain is different depending on whether there is weight on the bike or not, which changes the swingarm position and the chain slack.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

G'day Lash. A thought occurred to me regarding the adjustment of the chain. If the chain needs adjusting how do you intend to do that with both the rear wheel and the centre stand firmly planted? Even with the rear wheel rolling an accurate adjustment, particularly alignment, might be difficult. I think you will still need to raise the rear wheel.

Cheers

I've owned several bikes that didn't come with a center stand (it was optional on my CB750). Adjusting the chain with both wheels on the ground is pretty easy to do. It just takes a push/pull on the wheel to snug the adjusters against the adjustment bolts. I check the gap on the adjuster with calipers to verify alignment.

Thats the key.

Cheers

[Lord Popgun]

+1 Ptero, I do the same thing.

[HikerToo_imp]

I finally got a front wheel stand and got the bike to sit level and adjusted the chain to about 1 inch slack. My concern was that it might be the same situation as my KLR, in that the slack in the chain is different depending on whether there is weight on the bike or not, which changes the swingarm position and the chain slack.

Just thinking out loud.....but wouldn't the chain slack need to be fairly consistent over the entire swing arm travel as to not be too tight or loose as the position changes?

[Pterodactyl_imp]

^^^^^. No mate, it varies. The swing arm vertical movement varies the length of travel only slightly but the chain slack involved varies considerably with that slight difference in length. If you adjust the rear axle position with the adjusters only slightly you will be surprised at the change in slack. Anyway, it is not as though 100+ horses is going through the system so maybe, just maybe, near enough is good. I just do it as described in the manuals.

Cheers

[CIP57_imp]

If you want to raise the rear wheel, just get a pit stand that isn't designed for spools. They just lift by holding onto the swingarm edges (it makes them less than ideal, but they still work well).

http://i.imgur.com/1ldjU.jpg

+1 Get yourself a rear stand and relax the rear wheel.

[redbirds_imp]

It would be so convenient if the engine sprocket shaft and the swing arm pivot were in alignment. Chain slack could be set fairly tight without the worry of tension change as the swing arm moved. I think this has been done on some custom and racing bikes.

[DGShannon_imp]

If you want to raise the rear wheel, just get a pit stand that isn't designed for spools. They just lift by holding onto the swingarm edges (it makes them less than ideal, but they still work well).

http://i.imgur.com/1ldjU.jpg

+1 Get yourself a rear stand and relax the rear wheel.

+1 Get yourself a rear stand and relax the rear wheel.
A rear stand does not take the bikes weight off the swingarm allowing the rear shocks to uncompress. From the bikes perspective, it is still exactly the same as if the tire were still on the ground.

By using the bikes center stand, the rear end is raised and all the weight is taken off the rear shocks, allowing the swingarm to drop down to it's lowest extension point.

With that said, the same can be accomplished using just the side stand, provided you have a second person the lift the bikes weight over onto the side stand (and front wheel) lifting the rear wheel off the ground while you check the chain slack.