Checking Drive Chain Slack

[Cormanus]

Thank you. Gives me comfort that my method with a caliper is likely to be OK.

[the Ferret]

that's how I check alignment only I use a dial caliper. I too found the factory markings close enough for govt work.

[Jfro5687_imp]

TBH as long as the rear wheel is off the ground and its not in gear i can't see why method A and B should/would give different results? There can only be a finite ampunt of slack in the chain and as soon as the top run is nice and tight whatever slack there is in the bottom run can be measured. I might have a look myself........

[Cormanus]

Be interested in your research, Jfro. I'd have thought you can effectively increase the slack by stretching the chain down and measuring from that point rather than measuring from its normal resting place.

[Townie_imp]

TBH as long as the rear wheel is off the ground and its not in gear i can't see why method A and B should/would give different results? There can only be a finite ampunt of slack in the chain and as soon as the top run is nice and tight whatever slack there is in the bottom run can be measured. I might have a look myself........

Yes, I'm now thinking the same thing, but with an additional point: From it's resting position, pushing the bottom run up OR down will make the top run tight, and show the amount of slack. However measuring the difference between up & down will show 2x the slack.

Looking at the owners manual again, and the service manual, I'll be using method B (ie. measuring just by pushing up from resting position). If you look at the diagram, I believe Honda is showing the chain resting position with bold print. Let's call this the "From" position. The diagram includes a greyed-out position above the "From" position, showing the "To" position for measuring. If Honda wanted the slack to be measured using method A, then I think we'd see a greyed-out position both above, and below, the resting position in the diagram.

[LongRanger_imp]

Next time you visit your dealer, bring a ruler and measure the slack on a new CB.

[apex1_imp]

I adjusted the slack on my 2017 EX for the first time yesterday at 300 miles. Looking at my owners manual, it did not seem ambiguous to me that method B is correct. It has been decades since I had a bike with a centerstand--it is so nice not needing to use a race stand.

[PowerDubs_imp]

Agreed.

I didn’t think of the center stand at all when I bought the bike- but I use it almost every time I park the bike.


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[dbarkdoll_imp]

Soooo, method B seems to be the general consensus for the correct method? I've been using method A, which would place my chain on the tight end.

[Townie_imp]

Soooo, method B seems to be the general consensus for the correct method? I've been using method A, which would place my chain on the tight end.

Yes, method B seems to be the consensus, and is shown a bit more clearly in the factory service manual.

I think if you used method A, and used Honda's spec of 1.0" to 1.4" of slack, then the chain would be much too tight.