Chan adjustment

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Polokid69
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Chan adjustment

Post by Polokid69 » Sun Dec 14, 2014 11:28 am

Can someone give me tips on adjusting my chain? My main question is how much tension to put on the chain.
right now the chain is touching the swing arm .I know how to loosen the axle bolt and use the adjustment marks, just don't know how much tension to have.
Current Bike:
KTM RC390

Previous Bikes:
2007 Kawasaki ZZR600
2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R
2002 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6
2000 Kawasaki Ninja EX250
1983 Kawasaki GPZ550
1980 Yamaha RD400
1978 Yamaha DT 125
1978 Yamaha YZ 125
1975 Yamaha DT 100

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fixxervi6
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by fixxervi6 » Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:13 pm

Minimum of 1.25" of slack (varies a bit depending on the bike) no more than 1.75" (again depends a bit on the bike).

Better a little on the lose side than too tight.
K1600

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Polokid69
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by Polokid69 » Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:14 pm

So that's 1.25" from the swingarm?
Current Bike:
KTM RC390

Previous Bikes:
2007 Kawasaki ZZR600
2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R
2002 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6
2000 Kawasaki Ninja EX250
1983 Kawasaki GPZ550
1980 Yamaha RD400
1978 Yamaha DT 125
1978 Yamaha YZ 125
1975 Yamaha DT 100

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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by fixxervi6 » Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:18 pm

Polokid69 wrote:So that's 1.25" from the swingarm?
No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zB4DsHV8SAQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Polokid69
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by Polokid69 » Sun Dec 14, 2014 12:59 pm

I adjusted but might be a tad tighter but much better than before. First time it's been adjusted since I bought it
Current Bike:
KTM RC390

Previous Bikes:
2007 Kawasaki ZZR600
2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R
2002 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6
2000 Kawasaki Ninja EX250
1983 Kawasaki GPZ550
1980 Yamaha RD400
1978 Yamaha DT 125
1978 Yamaha YZ 125
1975 Yamaha DT 100

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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by milesmiles » Sun Dec 14, 2014 1:17 pm

I wouldn't admit that! Make sure the chain is in good condition then. Have you been cleaning it?
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by 111 » Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:03 pm

Good video. I like that he mentioned taking the slack out when tightening the axle nut. That was going to be my input. On my bike if I don't do that then it causes my chain to be too tight.
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by Polokid69 » Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:20 pm

milesmiles wrote:I wouldn't admit that! Make sure the chain is in good condition then. Have you been cleaning it?
You have to clean it ? I once or twice sprayed it with lube, does that count ?
Current Bike:
KTM RC390

Previous Bikes:
2007 Kawasaki ZZR600
2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R
2002 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6
2000 Kawasaki Ninja EX250
1983 Kawasaki GPZ550
1980 Yamaha RD400
1978 Yamaha DT 125
1978 Yamaha YZ 125
1975 Yamaha DT 100

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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by milesmiles » Sun Dec 14, 2014 2:27 pm

Omg
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Sometimes you gotta draw the line, but that doesn't mean it can't be squiggly-miles
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by Polokid69 » Sun Dec 14, 2014 3:01 pm

Obviously I know nothing about chain maintenance
Current Bike:
KTM RC390

Previous Bikes:
2007 Kawasaki ZZR600
2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250R
2002 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6
2000 Kawasaki Ninja EX250
1983 Kawasaki GPZ550
1980 Yamaha RD400
1978 Yamaha DT 125
1978 Yamaha YZ 125
1975 Yamaha DT 100

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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by milesmiles » Sun Dec 14, 2014 3:23 pm

Well there's no better time to learn. I'll get with you soon
The world needs Miles
Sometimes you gotta draw the line, but that doesn't mean it can't be squiggly-miles
"it's not a stupid dirt bike, it's a supermoto!"-miles

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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by LonestarCBR » Sun Dec 14, 2014 9:15 pm

Refer to your manual.
~ Terry
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by Rhino » Mon Dec 15, 2014 8:00 am

Owner's manual will tell you how to adjust it.

And you don't *have* to clean or lube your chain. You'll just need to replace it more frequently if you don't.

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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by fixxervi6 » Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:17 am

Rhino wrote:Owner's manual will tell you how to adjust it.

And you don't *have* to clean or lube your chain. You'll just need to replace it more frequently if you don't.
Sprockets will wear faster too
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by Firewa11 » Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:52 am

Ideally you should be cleaning your chain and lubing it every 500-600 miles, or after riding in rain.
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by milesmiles » Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:54 am

really? i thought it was every 300. I need a new chain, but this one lasted 20k
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Sometimes you gotta draw the line, but that doesn't mean it can't be squiggly-miles
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by fixxervi6 » Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:05 am

My manual says every 300 but I say hogwash to that, about every 600ish is where I do it and I've gotten 30K out of a chain before.
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by Firewa11 » Mon Dec 15, 2014 1:15 pm

I say hogwash to 300 miles as well. I think it's all relative though. 2 miles down a dusty dirty road is enough to make me clean mine. 300 miles down perfect clean roads and I would just shrug as it likely looks just as clean as the morning I started out. 2500 miles for the BB trip and the chain was waaaay dirty.
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by milesmiles » Mon Dec 15, 2014 1:34 pm

I say hogwash, just to say hogwash
The world needs Miles
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by Firewa11 » Mon Dec 15, 2014 1:53 pm

And that's why I love you so much Miles.
"Life may begin at 30, but it doesn't get real interesting until about 150."
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by LonestarCBR » Mon Dec 15, 2014 1:58 pm

fixxervi6 wrote:My manual says every 300 but I say hogwash to that, about every 600ish is where I do it and I've gotten 30K out of a chain before.
Yeah, I'm lubing every 500 or so, cleaning about every 1000.
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Happiness isn't around the corner, it IS the corner.
Anybody can jump a motorcycle. The trouble begins when you try to land it. EK
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by U-Turn » Mon Dec 15, 2014 2:19 pm

I dribble left over motor oil over it before every ride.
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by toy752 » Thu Dec 18, 2014 3:12 am

Who cleans their chain? Just squirt some lube on it an go.
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by NakedDentonite » Wed Apr 29, 2015 11:14 pm

When the rollers are shiny is when I lube it again. And I clean with WD-40 every 3 lubes. Simple as that.
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Re: Chan adjustment

Post by LonestarCBR » Thu Apr 30, 2015 5:33 am

I just realized we've all been barking up the wrong tree.

He asked about "Chan" adjustment.

Used to you had vertical and horizontal hold knobs on the front of you TV...now you have to delve into the "menu". Good luck. :)

Anyway, once you do that, no matter whether you're watching Charlie, or Jackie, you can adjust them properly for Brightness, Contrast, Color, Sound, and various other subtle changes.
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Happiness isn't around the corner, it IS the corner.
Anybody can jump a motorcycle. The trouble begins when you try to land it. EK
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