HELP! Im useless. How can adjusting my chain be Sofa King fustrating :@

[Noble Ox]

Seriously annoyed. Started - it was light... Now pitch black and im nowhere!!!

I did it every week on my GPR so whats different?

What ever I do I cannot line it up straight. Both sides are always out by a marker :s

Which way moves the marker to the front of the bike and which to the back?

I can tighten the chain fine. But when I look both sides dont match up.

Any help/pointers. Need it done by tomorrow. Doing over 200 miles of mtorway driving :(

[chakraist]

Hmm - well you loosen (counter clockwise) the end nut on each side so that the markers match up - you will want to loosen off the nut on the rear wheel and also the, bugger, what's it called, the bit of metal connected with a 14mm (AFAIK) bolt that sits off the right hand side of the swingarm and connects to the rear brake. That last one may be why it doesn't want to work properly.

Hope that helps. Give me a call on 01227786944 if you're really stumped!

[sv_rory]

I dont understand, you need to adjust each adjuster by the same amount so the wheel lines up correct.

[Dave20046]

The swing arm markers are notoriously innacurate get it how you want it one the left hand side then measure the distance form the middle of the swing arm bolt to the measure of the axle on that side then adjut the other side till it matches. Kick the rear wheel a bit too.

[davepreston]

The swing arm markers are notoriously innacurate get it how you want it one the left hand side then measure the distance form the middle of the swing arm bolt to the measure of the axle on that side then adjut the other side till it matches. Kick the rear wheel a bit too.
solid advice that

[maviczap]

solid advice that

+2 get yourself a long straight edge to check the front and rear are exactly straight. Tain't too hard.

I just back the adjusters right off, then give them the same amount of turns on each side. I ignore the marks :smt096

[Taipan]

Or use digi verniers to measure from the end of the swinging arm.....

[lee67]

the markers on cheap swingarms are notoriously way out both sides...best to use straight wooden guides on the floor..or better a lazer leveller.....pointys dont have torque arms neither..just make sure u undo the spindle bolt and knock the wheel towards the shocker...and start from scratch, that way both markers will line up

[ejohnh]

I use 2 lengths of aluminium angle, supported at right angles, on two pieces of 3" square timber, to ensure that the wheels are aligned. AT first it was a pain cos I found that I was tightening the chain too much before getting the wheels aligned. Now it has become easy. Loosen the rear wheel and then unscrew the wheel alignment adjuster bolts a turn or two. Kick the rear wheel forward to loosen the chain. Adjust both chain tensioner bolts until the wheels are aligned, and then, carefully, screw each adjusting bolt in equally until you get the correct chain tension.

I tried all the other methods, string and a single straight edge etc, and found that the two straight edge way was the easiest, quickest, and most effective.