Anyone got or used a chain monkey for tensioning their chain? After finding out if its just a case of bang it on the chain, pull as tight as possible then remove it, I hate tightening my chain and normally end up either to tight or a bit slack! The idea of it looks great if that's how it's done, thought I'd ask before I buy one
Keep on eye out on here for some chain adjusters. Far more simpler and easier to adjust the chain tension and get it correct rather than mess about with two spanners going back and forth trying to get it right. Can never understand why bike manufacturers can't make it easy to adjust the chain from standard
more frustrating that they can do it on some bikes and not others my blackbird is easy as only needs one spanner
Like the after market adjuster for on the bike? How are they different/ easier to adjust, I tend get it bang on but once I tighten the wheel but it goes tight!
Because they hold the wheel from both sides of the axle! So when you tighten the axle nut it's holding itself, where as when you tight using the oem set up if your not pushing forward on the wheel as you tighten there is the chance that the wheel can push back and over tighten the chain
I don't get the chain monkey thing, all it seems to do is take up a bit slack, I wouldn't bother, over the years I realised that if you think it's a bit loose, nip up the axle nut and it's generally fine, better slightly loose than over tight.
From what I can see of it, it holds the slack that's needed so you just tighten it as tight as it can go then let the slack back out. I was unsure that's why I asked on here, can't seem find anyone that has used one.
Alternative is get it spot on with the adjusters, back both sides off half a turn, whack the back wheel with a rubber mallet and nip up, always worked for me. I'd rather spend money on a laser alignment tool as I've found those marks on the side of the swingarms are a bit questionable on some bikes.
Wife bought me one for Christmas. Thought it was a bit of a gimmick. However now use it on my four bikes and found it an easy why to get chain tension spot on. Found with a lot of bikes the chain hits the swingarm before getting a true measurement. Chain monkey takes any of the quess work out.
All I've used is the markings get it slightly over tight on the sprocket side then move the other side to line the wheel normally lets the chain slacken slightly and find it spot on. It's just when I tighten the spindal that i get more tension. Might give one a go and maybe order some fancy tensioners as well for the bling
it becomes tight as the swingarm is really a splayed out fork, as you tighten the spindle, you bring the two arms towards each other and therefore further back and that's why it's too tight if it's perfectly adjusted before tightening up the axle. Another old trick used to be to run the round section of a decent sized screwdriver Blade in between the chain and rear sprocket, adjust the chain tight and lock off, then run the wheel back and take the screwdriver out, I think that is all the chain monkey thing is doing.
You know what I think you could be right with that one it's about the same idea just done slightly different. Never though about the fork pudding the when further back, makes good sense that. Think I'm gonna give one a go, is only 25 quid if it's crap ill stick it back on eBay
Well yes. Just set monkey to correct setting, tighten chain till all slack is removed and then centralise wheel with a laser another present off the wife.
