Drive chain adjustment

[Guest]

I just noticed something. I adjusted my chain to 1" of slack on the center stand. With the bike on the side stand and all the weight on the suspension, the chain is tight. Should I adjust for more slack? 84 1150.

[trevor]

I just noticed something. I adjusted my chain to 1" of slack on the center stand. With the bike on the side stand and all the weight on the suspension, the chain is tight. Should I adjust for more slack? 84 1150.

I have always adjusted it to 1" travel with me on the bike. But I am confused a bit on this one because I have heard it done your way too. My pnly concern is a too tight chain is not cool..

[7981GS]

Adjust chain for slack with your weight on the bike.

Eric

[GateKeeper]

on my 83 the slack should be between 1.2 and 1.6 inches with the bike on the center stand, as per the manual, would the 1150 be less ?

[trevor]

So which is it..centre stand or with weight on bike? To me if you adjust it with ne weight on it your chain will be too tight. And yeah I go for 1.2 to 1.5" for slack.

[GateKeeper]

I think of it this way.....

on the center stand, you have 1.2-1.6" slack, and once your on the bike and adding weight it probably gets tight enough.

now if you do the same while on the bike and adjust it to 1.2-1.6" slack, and you now get off of the bike, there will be way too much slack, and could be really loose...

well it's how I see it....

[trevor]

I think of it this way.....

on the center stand, you have 1.2-1.6" slack, and once your on the bike and adding weight it probably gets tight enough.

now if you do the same while on the bike and adjust it to 1.2-1.6" slack, and you now get off of the bike, there will be way too much slack, and could be really loose...

well it's how I see it....

Yeah I get what you are saying but what does it matter if it's loose while the bike is just sitting? Not trying to be smart, just that I never have been able to get a consistant answer to this question, seems to be lots of conflicting answers (on ctr stand/while you are on the bike) etc.

[OldVet66]

Center stand and .8 in slack 20mm (with a strong warning never to let it go over 2 in.) On the GS1000. I've got over 10,000 mi. on this chain, and have adjusted it only once recently, turning it one flat.

[derwood]

I have an 1150,
Do not adjust the chain on the center stand as stated in the manual or it will be too tight.
adjust on the side stand, for about one inch of slack. don't worry about having weight on the bike as as you will be on the ground adjusting the chain.

[Steve]

Ideally, the center of the front sprocket, the swingarm pivot and the rear axle should be in a straight line before checking chain tension.

When all three are in a line, the chain will be its tightest.

If that happens to be with your weight on the bike, that's how it should be checked.

To make things easier, with assistance from a helper, check the tension with the three points in a straight line, then put the bike on the centerstand and check it again. Now you know what it should be when on the centerstand, knowing that it will also be good at maximum tension.

Sure am glad I don't have to worry about my driveshaft tension.

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