How To Check and Adjust Your Motorcycle Chain | MC Garage
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- Опубликовано: 15 июн 2017
- Checking and adjusting chain tension is a fundamental bit of maintenance, right up there with checking your oil and tire pressures. Very basic, pretty easy, and also really important! Run your chain too loose and it’ll slap around and may jump off the sprocket and throw you on your head. Run it too tight and you’ll wear out your chain and sprockets and inhibit rear suspension action. In this video from the MC Garage, Ari shows you how to check and adjust that chain for optimal performance and longevity.
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Motorcycle chain slack is a fundamental piece of maintenance, right up there with checking your oil and tire pressures. Very basic, pretty easy, and also really important.
Why does chain slack matter? Well, if your chain gets too loose, it could jump off the sprocket, jam up, and chuck you on the ground. A loose chain is also going to slap around and make a bunch of noise and create a lot of driveline lash.
A too-tight chain, while less common, is also bad. If your chain is too tight it’s going to wear out the sprockets and chain faster, plus it can inhibit suspension action.
How much chain slack you need varies based on the bike, so check your owner’s manual or the sticker on your swingarm for the spec. For streetbikes, the figure is usually between 30 and 40mm. Your owner’s manual will also tell you whether to measure the slack with the bike on the sidestand, or with it held vertical on a rearstand.
Armed with a slack figure, it’s time to take a measurement. Using a ruler or tape measure placed against the underside of the swingarm midway between the sprockets, pull the chain down and note the measurement, and then push it up and check the number. Now calculate the total deflection by subtracting the smaller number from the larger number.
If your chain needs to be adjusted, the first thing you need to do is crack the axle nut loose. Don’t spin it off, just loosen it enough to allow the wheel to move in the swingarm. There are several different styles of axle adjusters out there, but most will have a lock nut that you need to crack free. Then turn the adjuster ¼ turn at a time to shift the axle position and change the chain slack. Make sure you’re moving the left and right side the same amount, and check the reference marks on the adjuster to verify that the wheel is straight in the swingarm.
Once you’ve made an adjustment, recheck the tension. It might take some trial and error.
Once you think you’ve got the slack set, stick a rag or a screwdriver under the chain and rotate the wheel to pull the axle forward against the adjusters, then tighten down your rear-axle nut to the proper torque. Then pull the rag out and tighten the locknuts on the adjusters. Finally, recheck the slack one more time. With that done, you might as well wipe your chain down with some cleaner and give it a shot of lube.
And that’s it! One of the most basic maintenance procedures there is, so you don’t have any excuse not to do it! I hope you enjoyed this vid. If you have questions or video topics, leave ‘em in the comments section. Until next time, ride safe.
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For new riders attempting this, listen to what the advice he is suggesting as a 1/4 turn at a time with the adjuster nuts. A full turn or two moves the wheel a significant margin and you will know right away in the chain tension or looseness. Do one quarter turn each side. Check chain tension. Check twice. Adjust as necessary. Check chain tension. Check it twice. Adjust as necessary. The only thing I wish was the notch marks on the bike were large lines with 3 smaller lines in between the large ones for finer adjustment.
Thanks
Thanks. Mine has no markings and I was going to do 1 full turn on each side.
Thanks. I loosened them a lot. Probably too much. I don’t know really how much. My slack is high.
So you loosen both adjusters on both sides in a progressive way to bring the wheel back in an equal amount? So 1/4 - 1/4 each side then check 1/4 - 1/4 correct?
snug the locking nut then check wheel alignment?
@@izzy8609After loosening the rear axle nut, I loosen both side locking nuts and then one side at a time, I turn about 1/4. Then I turn the other side 1/4. Then I check my chain slack. I check the chain slack like 2 or 3 times to ensure I am confident with my observation. If I need to tighten more, I do 1/4 turn on the adjuster bolts, one side, then the other. Then I check my chain slack again. Once I am satisfied with my chain slack, I use a flexible (fiberglass?) tape measure with Millimeter markings to ensure my knotch marks and alignment lines are within 1mm. My bike has markings that are 5mm apart. This matches the tape measure perfectly. I line up my tape measure to the bike markings and then check the opposite side. If my alignment line is in the middle of two alignment knotches, that would be on the 3mm line of the tape measure. I ensure the opposite side is also on the 3mm tape measure line. Not the most efficient method, but it is very accurate. I also use a Milwaukee fat tape measure to measure my chain slack. I set on level surface, raise the tape measure. Identify my lowest point and highest point but the tape measure never moves. The tool in the video looks even more accurate. When done, ensure you are using two wrenches to tighen the adjuster nuts. You don't want to use one and then turn the adjuster nut a tad more. You must hold it in place while tightening the lock nut. After all that, make sure you torque the axle nut properly. Mine is 95.9ft lbs. I set for 95 ft lbs and use the last .9 to rotate the nut to where I drop the cottle pin in. The manual says 95.9, and then up to a 1/4 turn more for the cottle pin. I just don't want to over-tighten it.
Instructions unclear, I left my wife
Seems like the instructions were pretty clear then
😂
Is everything ok at home my guy?
Are you into men? Drop your britches around me and you’ll be howling at the moon 🤩
"Good enough isn't gonna cut it"
Brilliant video just saved me £50 and now my gear changes are so much better. Videos like this make me want to do more work on my own bike
Been at this for literally my entire life, as in, I started riding at 9 years old and am 54 now, never not having a bike in that time. I have still never heard the rag in the sprocket trick. Thanks for that one!
Same here!
Good vid, one of the most important bike maintenance that many riders over-look.
Liked the 69 tribute on the side, RIP Nicky Hayden.
Clean and lube chain first. Take a short ride. Chain will slack even more after lubing. Then adjust. I found this out when I adjusted first then lubed,. chain got loose, went back and had to re-adjust.
Correct. I faced it
No. It's called wear and tear no matter how long the ride
Not true
Sk2PPer
Ya i agree. I don’t think your chain can extend by a significant amount by just spraying some lube on it.
Um.... how can a chain slack after applying some lube?
Better to drive first, and then clean and lube while the chain is warm. Then adjust between spec mid and minimum slack.
would like to add that its always a good idea to adjust the tension in the tightest part of the chain, otherwise you risk over-tightening... great video as always
If the difference between the tightest and loosest parts are big, it usually also means that the chains is at the end of its life.
if you ride hard or miss just 1 lube you can easily get a stretch spot
doesn't mean your chain is ruined just a little abnormal wear it's fine if you keep an eye on it.
How do you find the tightest part in your chain?
@@bamxuberant roll the bike backwards or forwards, on the ground and you can see the chain tightening a little then relaxing. Where its tightest measure from there.
As with most maintenance jobs, the manual will tell you not only what the slack should be, but exactly where on the chain to measure this slack. You can see it if you pause at 1:19, the manual shows you precisely what to do.
I wanted to say thank you for the video. I had to keep readjusting and readjusting. Once you have the chain tightened the right side will move when you are tightening the axel nut, keep the wheel pressed where you need it to be as you tighten or it will move and throw off your measurements. Took me three times doing this to figure this out. But taking the measurement was the best method.
love these videos. Short, easy to understand and massively useful. Cheers!
Even though I have seen numerous other videos of how to adjust chain, I would still watch Ari how to do it!
Thanks. Your video clarified a few steps that were not explained well in either my BMW manual OR the Haynes manual.
Thank you for this video, I'm a few hundred miles in with my first bike, it seemed like it's time to adjust the chain. Gonna do it first thing in the morning.
1:22 this is correct but it’s important to spin the wheel and measure the slack when the chain is at its tightest point during the rotation meaning find the tightest point and then take your measurement per most manuals
Thanks Ari, your videos are simply excellent.
Another very informative vid! Good job guys! I like the trick with the rag. Need to try that next time. I think a good topic to cover would be suspension. I feel that suspension adjustments are a very underrated necessity to getting the optimal performance / handling setting out of your bike.
I just tightened the chain on my Honda msx125 after watching this video. It was so helpful as I'm really not mechanically inclined at all! The bike rides fine now and the chain no longer jumps about when it's in 1st or 2nd 👍👍👍
Girlllllll...you da prizeeeee
@@redline350zHRdady chillll
i have a mate who is quite new to the motorbike scene and i got him onto your channel... your vids are so basic and easy to follow man. thanks and keep them coming
Ari Henning Can you please make a video on aftermarket air filters and aftermarket piggy bank ecu,how they affect the engine and should one install an aftermarket airfilter without a piggy bank ecu ?
Great, short, to the point videos. Thank you.
Awesome stuff Ari! What about a vid on steering dampers and how they operate?
Appriciate the information and simplicity of this video. Thank you
Brilliant instruction and advice. Thank you so much!
Respect to you for sharing the knowledge !
Great video. I was just checking that I had it right. Now the old zx6r is ready to rock! 🏍
I'm looking forward to the video showing the alternate methods for aligning your rear wheel straight to the bike. Love the vids, Cheers!
The best video out there -straight to the point. After several videos i'm convinced. You got a subscriber buddy.
Love these videos Ari, keep up the great work!
Simple, clever, thanks for the video
Nice touch adding the Kentucky Kid sticker. He will be missed.
Saw that right away. My bike is a 2004 RC51 with Nicky Hayden's signature on the tank. Still hard to believe.
Bob Peterson the first thing I saw in the start
me too - rip Kentucky kid :(
Rossi was better
@@deathtroopers4345 so, we'll be talking about how much we miss him and how good he was when he dies, too. until then, get your qualifying in order, rossi, dammit. quartararo is showing everyone up on a satellite yamaha
Simple but massively important. Thanks!
This helped quite a bit! Thanks for the help and the great video!
Always excellent knowledge in all of your vid's.Thanks alot mate.
this was a great video, really helped. I was feeling a bit stupid reading the Haynes manual and not knowing what the swingarm is. thanks!
I followed the instructions and it worked! Thanks
I love these mc garage videos
keep it up
it is funny how I was about to do this procedure for the first time tomorrow, and this video pops out :D
Wait... An american guy using the metric system?!
I LOVE YOU. You are awesome!
A lot of us are moving more towards metric bro, I've been using metric for a while now
@@randysavage1997good submit to the metric cult.
@@powerlink_provider ok now I'm not doing it anymore
Maaaaan I love your videos ! Thankx for sharing your knowledge !!!😉
Thank you, Your videos are super helpful
am fairly new to all this and these videos are mad helpful cheers pal much appreciated
Holy crap getting that chain slack tool. What a great thing.
Great! another very useful video, thank you!!
Ari! This was a much awaited diy video! Thanks :)
Awesome vid brother thanks a million 👍🏼
thank you ,its so nicely explained
like all the time..great video. thanks guys!!👍👍👍
To get the measurement I open the jaw of an adjustable spanner/wrench to the desired distance…instant measuring tool that is easy to hold . Thanks for the video, from England
Thanks for the link to the slacksetter it will go nicely with my motion pro chain alignment tool....
man... i love this page
Another great vid Ari. How about a video on setting dynamic and static suspension sag? It would also be great to know how to properly set suspension damping. I see a lot of guys/gals riding bikes not properly adjusted for their body weight and riding style.
finally i know the proper way to adjust my chain! tnx mc garage! 😀
Great video this helped me so much
You're a great teacher bro.
lOVE YOU GUYS ...KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK...YOUR DOING A LARGE FAVOR TO THE NEW RIDERS :D
Thanks man it’s really help me do it for the first time 🙌🏻
best video on the topic I've found.
Does your chain hang low?
Does it wobble to and fro?
Can you tie it in a knot?
Can you tie it in a bow?
If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, then this video is for you
thank you for this
Is this a parody of a song
Keith Cozart bit late but its
Do your balls hang low
Do they wobble to the floor
Can you tie them in a knot
Can you tie them in a bow
L lol
best bike videos on the net hands down!!!
very informative
great video
thanks
Thanks for the tip .mind need chain adjusting ,like soon .
Great video, especially the part about putting the rag in the sprocket to pull the wheel back on the end plates. I've struggled with that for years.
Can you explain the rag trick? It seems on my TU250X putting a rag between the chain and sprocket/axle actually pushes the axle forward away from the adjustment bolts.
Thanks for another great and concise video.
How much more slack should there be for off road riding?
Great tips thank you
Thanks for the great videos! Cornering ABS would be an interesting topic: which bikes have it, how does it work and does it really work that good on any road surface?
Great video, thanks for the efforts to explain to us bike afeciondaos all these tips and tricks. also, what tyoe of chain lub you recommend in a dusty and humid region?
thax ari, well explained informative and entertaining, could you please do a video explaining exhaust wrap good and bad, best way to get spare parts, sources, best used motorcycles under... most reliable ones. thank you so much
I'm just starting to realize how important maintenance really is to a top performing motorcycle. My chain was hanging low and did wobble to and fro.
Brilliant job.
Thankyou for the insight gladly appreciate it thanks 😊👍!
Didnt realize I had to push down on chain when taking 1st measurment. Learn something new everyday
Cool, thanks for the information
Perfect. Thank you.
very helpful. thanks
Thank you! I'm still a newbie at this...and I want to do this by myself instead of sending it to the shop.
Thanks again for another great video especially for someone coming from being a Guzzi shaft driver lol 😂
It's good to see a video with my exact same bike.
Someone has been going ham on that Z125... check out that rear tyre! lol
aye, it's amusing how hard little bikes can be pushed, of course, it'll get murdered on the straights!
Amazing... The best expanatiin ever on youtube keep going bro
My chain is very loose, and I was noticing it struggle with downshifts sometimes. Think I slightly stepped on it too 😬 So this will come in handy
So helpful! Thx
its the little things what makes this channle so nice
I watched three videos and picked up a couple of good tips. I especially liked your rag trick. What about the tight spot? Don't chains usually have a tight spot that should be located first and adjust to spec at that point?
Not having ridden a chain bike in some years - I needed this refresher!! Thanks.
Great videos....got some winter projects to do on my bike. Is there anything you have on putting a bike back to stock height? I bought my 07 CBR600RR from a shorter guy and really want to bring it back to stock height. Have all the pieces but would like to see it done before I jump into doing mine.
Great vids!
Great tip
nice explanation. and nice sticker on bike.
Hi, really good vid! Quick question: can you do this on the centre stand without using any tools or stands?
This guy did it all in 3 minutes and i couldn't even get one bolt out for 2 hours
Ahmed Mukhtar hahahaha,hats off bro.😜😂🤣
I hear ya. These guys make it look so easy. I seriously think I lack a single mechanical gene in me.
Hey Ari... I know you guys tend to focus on new bikes, but how about a vid with tips to help cool down a classic (or any) air cooled sport bike? My FJ1100 gets blistering in the AZ heat. I have the stock oil cooler and was thinking of replacing with a car tuner cooler or even just bolt on some PC suction fans. I'm interested to see what you guys come up with. Awesome vids... keep it up! Mike
Excellent!
Great vid as always. What's the purpose of the rag on the chain/sprocket while tightening the axle nut?
thanks man, hey can you make a video showing how to clean the pipes? i've heard that harpic is great
Question is: how much force should one use when raising the chain? I have heard different things and there will be a big difference in stopping at first resistance vs applying more force
I am coming from a video from 'Fab Motorbikes' and he said the upper section of the chain should not be moving while you are raising/lowering the lower section. With Ari's measurement on 1:35 it was moving. Bike manual doesn't say anything also. I am lost on this one.
@ fab motorbikes is most likely right. Otherwise you are taking or adding slack from the upper side as the tension changes. It's also in line with what the picture in the manual/swingarm shows so I assume that's the way.
@@Mech.EYou don't need slack on the upper side. All of the slack is going to be on one side when you're riding. If you leave slack up top, your slack measurement is going to be tighter than the actual number.
Thank you!
Also check the manual for slack reference. Its not always the middle of the chain, on some models you use lower and upper point of the chain as the reference.
Thanks man 🔥🔥🔥🔥😁😍 love u bro
Hi Ari, I would suggest you for the next episode of MC Garage to explain the whole procedure in details of the install of a new engine mapping on the dyno. It would be even better if you can show all these steps getting done for real. Thanks !
Thank you duderino.
Hey Ari!! Greetings from India! As this is summer time here and temperatures go almost 50°C on the road, how about a DIY on coolant change??
I hope on your next video you will explain about carburetor vs fuel injected and how they work on a motorcycle.