Chain Maintainence
 

Right i've done 1500 miles on my new svs and the chain needs adjusting...

No problem me thinks... sorted that all the time on my bandit 4, but that had a centre stand....

I'm a bit stuck, is there a way of adjusting the chain on my own with the bike on a side stand, or do i need to fork out on a paddock stand?? :?

Yes.

Tip the bike over on the side stand until the rear wheel is off the ground. Then slide something under the exhaust where the front pipe meets the rear one.

I used to use a brick, but basically what ever is available will do.

A short piece of wood under the swing arm near the rear caliper also works. Me? I've got a centre stand (smug git) :oops:

sweet, thanks! :)

I'll give it go. Figures crossed in ten mins the won't be a "I've dropped my bike in the garage tread"!!!!!!!!! :shock:

The cost of a paddock stand is lil compared to the risk of dropping the bike!

Do you think I should have also mentioned it might be an idea to tie wrap the front brake :?: :roll:

Nah, I'm sure he will have thought about that. :wink:

No need to lift it up - it can be adjusted just fine on it's wheels.

This is true, but do you not check for tight spots every time you adjust the chain?

Easier to spin the wheel with the wheel off the ground rather than having to either walk the bike check the chain, walk the bike check the chain. Or keep tipping the bike to spin the wheel.

:shock: :oops:


Yea ok didn't think of that!, but hay-ho it worked fine!

Thanks for the help... :)

Mine has done 8500 miles and I haven't had to adjust it yet, I am putting it down to the Scottoiler cus on my Bandit my chain was ruined by 7000miles

WARNING!

Be careful NOT to ruin your Swing-arm with the adjuster bracket thing!

Hold the Nut on the LEFT side(Chain Side) Undo via the Axle/Bolt.

The adjuster plates are made from a metal something akin to Marshmallows,and tend to deform,then turn with the nut,destroying the paint/metal of the swing arm!

Believe me,I know about this. :evil:

been thinking about a scotoiler, didn't realise they made that much difference... Used to get about 12,000 kms to a chain on my 400 before it was fooked. but that was with much abuse.

Are those scotoilers easy to fit?

yes scotoilers are dead easy to fit,

i also had my swinarm scratched by the chain adjustment thingy,

just get someone to sit on the bike while you adjust the chain. (not with all their weight on the bike, just kinda holding it upright should do the trick)

it takes all of about 5 mins to adjust a chain ;)

paddock stands are not expensive, less faffing around

What do you do with it if you find one?

When big ape is talking about tight spots, I think he is talking about areas of the chain that are less stretched than others.

Not about tight links.

And, essentially, there is nothing that you can do about stretched regions of the chain. other than buy a new one. If the stretched region is miles away from the not stretched region, then you want a new chain, its a good marker.

Or, if you see any shark finning on the sprockets.

You can check for tight spots without a stand too, just by rolling the bike.

Also don't overtighten the axle nut! Doesn't actually require that much torque. My mates son actually bowed in his pointy swingarm such was the force he used!

Scottoilers are the best way IMO, but our original chain did over 30.000 miles just with careful cleaning and lubing with a thin chain lube.

i was very sceptical of scotoilers you know, due to the appearance of the cables and everything.

my mate just got one on his cbr, and you cant even see its there.

so i would say scottoiler, but you will still have to adjust your chain every now and then.

my other half got a cheap paddock stand for 15 quid that does the job.