Slacking off
 

just noticed the other day whilst doing the weekly clean that my chain had a slight droop to it on the bottom and that it was touching the plastic guide on the top of the swing arm (just by where it dissappears to the engine)

is this normal, i bought a haynes but does not tell me how much movement there is supposed to be when lifting the chain up ( taking the slack)

yea it will rest on the guide on the top of the swing arm, one inch to one inch and a half should be about right.