Adjusting Chain

[jim@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

mksdouglas  <mksdouglas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

> I am hoping someone here can explain to me in plain english how I go
> about checking the slack and adjusting my chain on my 00' Sprint ST.
> I have read that portion of the manual 10 times and it does not
> explain HOW exactly I am to measure the distance of chain slack.  I
> think I can figure out how to Tighten and Loosen the chain.  What I
> don't understand is Where I am supposed to look for chain slack.  I
> know atleast I am supposed to rotate the tire and look for the tight
> spot.  I did that and can't find a "tight spot".

> Can someone try and walk a TOTALLY IGNORANT newbie through this
> process?

    I'll have a go :-)

    Look for chain slack in the middle of the bottom run of the chain -
the amount of slack is the distance you can move the chain up and down
at this point, while the bike is on the centre stand.  I adjust mine so
that the I can push the bottom chain run up until it's level with the
bottom of the protector underneath the swingarm.  To measure it properly
you'd need to (somehow) hold a ruler in place behind the chain whilst
fiddling about.

    Bringing my incredibly bad ASCII art into play (best view this in a
fixed-width font such as Courier!) if this is your chain, with the front 
sprocket on the left:

	      o~~~~~~~~\
	       ~~--..__/
                  ^
                  |
                  This is about where you should check for chain slack.

    To check for tight spots, rotate the wheel and check the chain slack 
with the chain in several different positions - the tight spot is where
the chain is, ah, tighter ;-)  Adjust the chain when it is at its
tightest point.

    It is better to have the chain too loose than too tight, because if
the chain is too tight it will put pressure on the gearbox oil seal
amongst other things, and will wear itself and the sprockets out more
quickly to boot.

> Also, thanks for the advise on my last postings.  It is amazing how
> helpful this group is.

    Yes indeedy!  Hopefully I've just added to this reputation ;-)

                Jim
- -- 
      jim@         ,'_               Anyway what is this obsession you
  gillespie.org   / -.--.    ___     roadracers seem to have with lap
                 _\_  ~-.`--'_.-'    times?? Just keep going faster until
                / /\\    \--'_ \\    you crash....Works for me...;o))
 '99 Sprint ST  \__/ `---'  \__/                          -- Dave Lippett

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