Problem with chain adjustment.

Hi,

I recently returned to biking after a reasonably long lay off, and bought a new SV650 (faired model). So far, everything is going swimmingly, except for adjusting the chain. I read all the posts about what to do, but no matter how hard I try, I can't get the reference marks to line up. Stupidly, I never checked what postition they were before I started, but I suspect they weren't aligned properly to begin with. I have tried slackening the adjustment nuts off completely, and then gradually tightening them up by "feel" but this has not solved the problem.

Basically, the right hand adjuster (as you sit on the bike) is about two marks back from the long mark, and the left hand adjuster is roughly one mark in front of the long mark. I tried slackening the right hand adjuster off completely and then tightening the left hand one to pull it back into alignment, but the chain goes tight way before the adjuster gets to where it should be. Slackening the right hand nut beyond a certain point doesn't seem to do anything at all.

Does any of this matter? am I being dumb? can anyone help?

Regards,

Dan

You're not being dumb
The reference marks are renowned for not matching up, so you can't rely upon them to be accurate when positioning the rear wheel.
Dr Squid once explained to me that the most accurate way was to use a long piece of string (non stretchy variety) and then stretch it back from the centre point of the front tyre, making a mark on each side of the swingarm with a point that is marked on the string (obviously don't have it on the sidestand )

If you've done it right, you'll now have a mark on each side of the swingarm that will give you an accurate position for your spindle

hth

Now I'm no expert, so take this with a pinch of salt but...
The marks you refer to are quite innacurate, but I wouldn't have thought they would be that far out! Obviously you want your chain adjusted right, but wheel alignment is crucial too. You can measure form the rear spindle centre to the swing arm pivot with string to make sure you have the wheel straight and true if you want, but if it was me I'd take it to get the alignment checked at a garage and then make a note of where abouts on your adjusters the marks should be. I think they use lasers and stuff to set it up, but it's a quick job and shouldn't cost you toomuch....splash out and get peace of mind?

some places sell a laser alignment tool just for addjusting chains!



i suggest you get one.
the reference marks on the bike are crap and the square washers which are used to align them to have a hole bigger than the rear spindle for easy fitting and therefore cause an inaccurate reading!

i always just counted turns! and do it eavenly each side! works for me!

Another way to do it is to take all the adjustment out of both sides so that the wheel is as far IN/FORWARD as it will go. Then wind the adjusters in so they just start to bite. Then youu can start adjusting progressively with one full turn on the left side one full turn on the right side etc etc making sure what ever you do to the one side you do to the other and this should keep it straight and true. Check your bike manual for the chain adjustment but it's normally approx 1 1/2" of horizontal movement from top to bottom.

Hope this helps

Chaps,

Thanks very much for the advice, I'll work my way through it from cheapest (string) via laser tool to garage until I find something that works for me.

Regards,

Dan