How do you guys actually measure your chain tension?? I measure at a point equidistant between the front and rear sprocket and use a steel rule to measure from bottom of the chain. Question is do you pull the chain down to measure the bottom point and then push the chain up to measure the top point or just measure from the lowest point without pulling it down?
I rotate the chain to find the tightest spot, this is where I take my measurements from. I use a steel ruler in the middle of the swingarm and measure from chain rest to using moderate force to push the chain upwards to get around 30mm. Rotate again and check.
Bike on sidestand; Put a tape measure on the floor and run it up to the rubber bump strip on the swingarm; lock the tape measure; measure the chain deflection. Tend to do this once a month so never really bother checking for tightest link etc.
I never bother measuring, just do it by feel. I've only changed one set of chain and sprockets in 7years and 3 bikes.
Yes use some force to push th chain through its full movement. I find I can tell when it's at the sweet spot as gear change is much improved
Paddock stand and find the tightest spot. Normally check/adjust mine every time the bikes cleaned. Don't use a rule, too tights as bad as too loose.
I'm not putting myself as an expert, but I've done this for many years with no problems. Centre stand/Paddock. Spin rear wheel Work the chain up and down a bit Spin rear wheel Steel rule from floor moderate/light pressure up then down. measure deflection. adjust as necessary. Repeat till correct twice in a row. Cup 'O' Tea.
I've a fairly regimented approach that goes something like this: Pull up at meeting/stopping point. Someone points and says " that looks slack mate". I then bend over and, with my finger tips only, flick the chain two or three times to see if it taps against the underside of the swingarm. I then suck and blow knowingly and concede that they might well be right and commit to adjusting it at the earliest possible opportunity.
Manual says side stand. Anything else will be wrong... Cause it'll be a different measurement. I tighten and measure by eye... H
Eye, but you'll have to keep a eye on the slantyness of the ground if it's on the side stand, as it could alter due to eyenstines laws.
Manufacturers only state use the sidestand as all/most bikes have them as standard. They aint gunna say use a Paddock stand as non Track Day Peeps or Peeps who like to do more that basic maintenance would complain about having to buy one just for this job. I do mine on a Paddock stand but logic dictates that having someone sat on the bike would give the most accurate measurement as this loads/tightens the chain further so unless the OEM allow for this extra loading (which I assume they do) then that's accurate. Having said all that I don't use a rule, you can just tell if it's about 2" Better slightly slack than too tight as this can wear/damage your gearbox shaft. Also check again once you've tightened the Axle nut! All bikes I've had tighten the chain further once you do this even though the adjuster bolts are set and nipped up.
Good tip sinewave does move when you tighten the main wheel nut. I've taken now to only loosening the wheel nut very slightly (about half turn) and using the adjusters to push the wheel back. Doesn't tighten then when nipping up.
