Adjusting chain tension

[andrewclaycomb]

How tight should the chain be? How many inches of travel up and down in the center of the chain? Also, I'm trying to tighten it because it looks like it should be tighter but I can't make it budge. I've loosened the axle and I've loosend both of the adjustment bolts but I can't pull the tire back hard enough without pulling my whole body toward the bike. (I'm 6'6" and weigh 265lbs) Am i missing something, any tricks? I tried a mallet against the tire to try to push the wheel forward but no luck.

[Redman]

Ah, has been 20 some years since I adjusted a drive chain, but . . .
Dont loosen the adjustment bolts, but do loosen the jam nuts on the adjustment bolts.
Use the adjustment bolts to push the axle back.

I dont specifically reacall how much slack there should be, but there should be slack, not tight.

[andrewclaycomb]

But the bolts just push the wheel toward the bike, I need to get the wheel further away from the bike. (tighter chain)

[tkent02]

No, the bolts push on the end of the swingarm so the adjusters pull the axle aft.
Loosen the locknuts, tighten the bolts, when the chain tension is right, (inch and a half or two inches slack in the middle of the run) rotate the wheel, make sure it doesn't get tighter during part of the chain's trip around the sprockets. If it does the sprocket is wearing unevenly. And make sure the wheel is aligned with the front wheel, not "steered" to one side or the other.

[Redman]

Push - Pull, kinda hard to describe in words, I quess. BUt the adjustment bolt pushed on frame and the adjustment mechanism pulled on axle to pull axle back away to take up the slack in chain. Kinda hard to describe. Plus what I am remebering is over 20 years ago (but I remember it well, had to do it so often, and replace chains and sprockets..opps, gonna start another argument), and, Oh, that was a kawasaki. So....

Maybe pictures might help.

[andrewclaycomb]

[andrewclaycomb]

Which part number am I adjusting to push the axle away?

[tkent02]

Which part number am I adjusting to push the axle away?

Loosen 20 and screw 19 in. 19 pushes on 21 to pull the axle back by pulling on 18

[andrewclaycomb]

I really don't understand how that's possible, but I'll try it tomorrow when there is sunlight again.

How does that not push the wheel toward the bike by tightening it?

[Pearson]

I really don't understand how that's possible, but I'll try it tomorrow when there is sunlight again.

How does that not push the wheel toward the bike by tightening it?

You just have to trust the 100's of thousands before you:-D. Try it, you'll see.

[tkent02]

You just have to trust the 100's of thousands before you:-D. Try it, you'll see.

And trust the mechanical engineers (all retired now) who invented this stuff.

[Matt Vann]

A top mechanic and drag racer told me to adjust the chain with 3/4" slack with you ON the bike. The slack takes up a little when the rear shocks are compressed with the rider's weight. So far, it's worked well for me.

[chef1366]

Take out your cotter pin and loosen the axle nut. I sit on the ground and grab the rim with two hands and yank away. Line up the marks on #18 (both sides) to the marks on the swingarm. Tighten the bolts on #18 and then the lock nut.
If you have a tight spot in the chain you might need a new chain and sprockets.