Why do some people say you should only adjust your chain whilst on side stand?

[timwilky]

I have seen a few posts telling people not to adjust their chain whilst on a paddock stand. why is this? I would argue that the rear suspension perhaps has a little more represented load from a paddock stand as compared to the balancing force applied from a side stand. and if anything to be truly correctly adjusted the static weight of the rider should be added as well.

however, I usually adjust mine with the bike upright in the front wheel grab, that way I can easily ensure alignment at the same time anyway.

I normaly do mine on side stand but when my Dad fitted my new CSK the other day he adjusted it on the paddock stand and i asked the same question and was told "well its just the same because it still thinks its on the ground, then when on sidestand it had the same ammount of slack so should only be sidestand if you have a centre stand but my personal preference is on side stand as i feel its more secure

With you on that one Tim Bike+Rider for proper adjustment

Originally Posted by timwilky

I would argue that the rear suspension perhaps has a little more represented load from a paddock stand as compared to the balancing force applied from a side stand. and if anything to be truly correctly adjusted the static weight of the rider should be added as well.

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

With you on that one Tim Bike+Rider for proper adjustment

What makes you think the slack specified whilst on the side stand is wrong and that the manufacturer does not take into account the change once it's upright with a rider? The specification for the bike loaded may be different to that on the sidestand......

My mec told me to have a friend sit on it and adjust until it moves half inch either way 1inch flex in total. It gives a much more responsive ride and I do notice the difference. I dont know the full on reason for it but chalk one up for that side of the argument.

Originally Posted by simesb

What makes you think the slack specified whilst on the side stand is wrong and that the manufacturer does not take into account the change once it's upright with a rider? The specification for the bike loaded may be different to that on the sidestand......

It's a good point, but (and this is a big but as I am no suspension expert lol) - how does the manufacturer know how much preload an individual rider has set? Preload would adjust the "normal resting angle" of the swingarm versus the frame, right?

I could see it being the case that the only guaranteed "known" position is that of the bike while fully weighted, and the only one therefore the manufacturer could give a known figure/range for?

[ophic]

The chain has to be adjusted so it allows the bike to move through its entire range of suspension travel, whilst not being too loose. Sag, rider weight, bike weight, etc - has nothing to do with it. Set it as per the manual.

[Bibio]

its to keep the rear wheel under a slight tension so its less likely to move when adjusting and keeps the 'adjuster caps' against the swing arm.

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by timwilky

I have seen a few posts telling people not to adjust their chain whilst on a paddock stand. why is this?

Because the manual says to adjust it on the side-stand.

[timwilky]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Because the manual says to adjust it on the side-stand.

Manual?, when was the last time anyone read a manual.

off to read mine to see if it actually says