Chains

[Anonymous]

Anyone know a good way to tell if the chain needs tightening?
I've heard 3/4 inch of play,1 inch of play,1 1/2 but, is that on the center stand or side stand?
Tips for tightening the chain?

[Anonymous]

Best thing to do: get a shaft-driven bike!

Shaftie Nick

[humhead]

Thank You, Nick..... and now for a real answer. Always put the bike up on the center stand. Measure free play on the lower run of the chain, halfway between sprockets. It should be ~20 mm (.8 in) If it needs tightening, remove the cotter pin from the rear axle bolt & loosen it. A 15/16 in box wrench is a good fit on my 79 750. Loosen the locknuts on the two chain adjuster bolts and loosen the brake torque rod nuts. Turn the adjuster nuts clockwise to tighten the chain. Take it slow & always turn both bolts the same number of turns. When the tension is right, check the alignment marks to be sure it's straight & tighten the axle nut. Fit a new cotter pin & tighten the adjuster locknuts and torque rod nuts.

[robinjo]

Best thing to do: get a shaft-driven bike!

Shaftie Nick

But remember that IF you want to buy a shaft-bike that you got to have proof that your at least over 50 years old otherwise you can't have it :twisted:

[Bill + Karen]

But remember that IF you want to buy a shaft-bike that you got to have proof that your at least over 50 years old otherwise you can't have it :twisted:

Hey wait a minute, I'm Not Fifty 8O and I have an 1100G that is certainly no slouch. Bill

[shaftzuki]

But remember that IF you want to buy a shaft-bike that you got to have proof that your at least over 50 years old otherwise you can't have it :twisted:

Hey wait a minute, I'm Not Fifty 8O and I have an 1100G that is certainly no slouch. Bill

I second that 8)

[SqDancerLynn1]

At least we don't have dirty rims

[TheNose]

At least we don't have dirty rims

I wipe mine off after every ride.

Terry

[Anonymous]

At least we don't have dirty rims

I wipe mine off after every ride.

Terry

Terry Terry

[saaz]

When adjusting the chain make sure that you do it on the tightest spot on the chain. This will vary from bike to bike. Otherwise you risk have the chain too tight over some of its travel.

I also usually make sure that the adjustment is ok when you are sitting on the bike. Once you do it once, adjusting it on the centrestand to the same tension makes it easy.

GS shaft drive bikes also have cam chains......

[Clone]

Why does it seem that all chains have tight and loose spots? :? Also, is it possible that sprockets can be drilled off center? :?

[Jay B]

Best thing to do: get a shaft-driven bike!

Shaftie Nick

But remember that IF you want to buy a shaft-bike that you got to have proof that your at least over 50 years old otherwise you can't have it :twisted:

I was 44 when I got my first one. I have 3 now and wouldnt give any of them up for a chain drive. BTW I'm still WAY under 50. On yeah an already retired once.

[Anonymous]

Best thing to do: get a shaft-driven bike!

Shaftie Nick

But remember that IF you want to buy a shaft-bike that you got to have proof that your at least over 50 years old otherwise you can't have it :twisted:

I was 44 when I got my first one. I have 3 now and wouldnt give any of them up for a chain drive. BTW I'm still WAY under 50. On yeah an already retired once.

Your M.A. is about 137.

[Anonymous]

Humhead wrote:

Measure free play on the lower run of the chain, halfway between sprockets. It should be ~20 mm (.8 in)

Well I check my chain today, and when I grab the lower chain it moves about 1 1/2 from up to down when the bike is on the center stand. I can't imagine tightening up the chain to .8 of an inch in play. :?
What am I missing?
Besides a shaft drive.

[focus frenzy]

But remember that IF you want to buy a shaft-bike that you got to have proof that your at least over 50 years old otherwise you can't have it :twisted:

Hey wait a minute, I'm Not Fifty 8O and I have an 1100G that is certainly no slouch. Bill

I second that 8)

I third that!!