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Posted by Troll
- August 03, 2013, 18:03:29 PMMy W-650 owner's manual says to adjust the chain with the bike on the center stand...If you do that, it's too loose while it's on the ground. I have always adjusted chains so the total slack, at the tightest point (it is important) is 1 inch, from all the way down to all the way up...not just hanging freeplay, but the amount you can move it using moderate hand pressure...here's a you tube video...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB4DsHV8SAQ
It's really more of an art than a science...but, what I would do is have somebody your weight sit on the bike and hold it upright, while you check to see how tight/loose it is after you get a feel for that, it should be easier to judge where you're at...
Posted by kw-retrorider
- August 03, 2013, 17:32:21 PMSo, perhaps a rookie question, but as I went to adjust my chain today, I noticed that there is a difference between the service manual and owners manual in how you check the chain tension. Both indicate the range of slack is 1 to 1.4 inches.
- The service manual shows a picture measuring from where the chain is at rest to where you can pull it down to.
- The owner's manual shows it as the distance above and below where the chain is at rest.
Seems to me as I have been measuring, those two adjustments are significantly different. Since I was looking at the owner's manual this time, I measured the whole distance above and below, which made me tighten the chain significantly (I'll admit, it's been 2500 miles...my bad)...but before I pop the thing because it's too tight....Any thoughts from the more experience Drfiters in the group....or Troll....the Harley ex-chain man?