Chain adjustment, can you spot what I'm doin wrong?

**Clockwork** · 5th August 2009, 17:43

I know I don't adjust my chain as often as I should because what should be a simple job always seems to take multiple attempts.

Here's the problem. I loosen off the locking nuts on of the tension adjustment bolts then I release the the axle nut, (which is always tighter than a nun's nasty when last set by the shop). I adjust (tighten) the chain to the desired tension and reset the locking nuts.

Now for the frustrating part, it appears that as I re-tighten the axle hub the chain tension gets tighter! I don't get the nut even close to as tight as it's set by the shop but by the time I'm where I think the nut is tight enough, the chain is now over-tight!

Am I doing something wrong? Is it normal that tightening the axle nut affects the chain's tension and I should make allowances for this and just how tight should the axle nut be anyway given it is fixed in place with a split pin?

Any suggestions/advice gratefully received.

**bogan** · 5th August 2009, 17:46

when you tighten the axle nuts, it draws the two sides of the swingarm together, and increases the distance between swingarm pivot and axle. Some bikes are worse than others for this, just put a bit of extra slop in the chain to account for this.

**Brian d marge** · 5th August 2009, 18:12

Somethings wrong ,

you saying that when you set your chain , when you do up the nut it goes tight?

bearings ok? spacers ok ? correct assembly and finally all free and lubed

ie as you tighten the nut its pulling away from the alignment bolts?

most people over tighten a chain, it must be free to move ( by a finger ) Thoughout the suspension travel range

Find the tight spot, compress the suspension and set it at that point ( I use a tie down strap and LOTS of padding ) but a big burly assistance is nearly as good

Go through the system logically and think why the chain is getting tight ,,,,

Stephen

**sharky** · 5th August 2009, 18:42

Stick a screw driver between the chain and sprocket while tightening. Should help, saw them doing it at the shop last time I got a new chain and asked why. That's the reason.

**Cajun** · 5th August 2009, 18:45

one thing you can do is swap the axle around, i have done this to our gsxrs

So you tighten it from the over side from chain.

**paturoa** · 5th August 2009, 18:49

Tis normal for SVs (and a bunch of other zooks as well)

It tightens the mid chain "slack" on mine by about 5mm, so I adjust to about 30 mm before tightening / doing up the axle. I also don't undo the axle nut too much cos that makes it worse.

**NinjaBoy** · 5th August 2009, 18:53

Originally Posted by Clockwork

I know I don't adjust my chain as often as I should because what should be a simple job always seems to take multiple attempts.

Here's the problem. I loosen off the locking nuts on of the tension adjustment bolts then I release the the axle nut, (which is always tighter than a nun's nasty when last set by the shop). I adjust (tighten) the chain to the desired tension and reset the locking nuts.

Now for the frustrating part, it appears that as I re-tighten the axle hub the chain tension gets tighter! I don't get the nut even close to as tight as it's set by the shop but by the time I'm where I think the nut is tight enough, the chain is now over-tight!

Am I doing something wrong? Is it normal that tightening the axle nut affects the chain's tension and I should make allowances for this and just how tight should the axle nut be anyway given it is fixed in place with a split pin?

Any suggestions/advice gratefully received.

It happens on my GSXR too so I just allow for it

Originally Posted by bogan

when you tighten the axle nuts, it draws the two sides of the swingarm together, and increases the distance between swingarm pivot and axle. Some bikes are worse than others for this, just put a bit of extra slop in the chain to account for this.

I thought it was something like that but couldn't see why the lateral movement of the swingarm moves the axle futher out

Originally Posted by sharky

Stick a screw driver between the chain and sprocket while tightening. Should help, saw them doing it at the shop last time I got a new chain and asked why. That's the reason.

Yep I've seen that before and tried it but it didn't really make any difference. I was told it pulls the wheel forward hard against the adjuster blocks

**bogan** · 5th August 2009, 19:47

Originally Posted by NinjaBoy

I thought it was something like that but couldn't see why the lateral movement of the swingarm moves the axle futher out

swingarm comes back at an angle from the main pivot, so that angle gets less, though the swingarm length stays the same, fixed hypotenuse, varying angle trig etc...

also could be pushing out the adjuster blocks slightly as you tighten as other have suggested, or both

**megageoff76** · 5th August 2009, 20:15

Originally Posted by sharky

Stick a screw driver between the chain and sprocket while tightening. Should help, saw them doing it at the shop last time I got a new chain and asked why. That's the reason.

My bike shop working mate also does this, when I cant be arsed getting my hands dirty.

**Katman** · 5th August 2009, 20:17

I've always thought it's because the threaded part of the axle is a slighter smaller diameter than the shaft and as the axle nut is tightened it pulls the adjuster block onto the larger shaft which forces the axle backwards.

**Brian d marge** · 6th August 2009, 01:22

Originally Posted by megageoff76

My bike shop working mate also does this, when I cant be arsed getting my hands dirty.

thats heading into a pretty worn chain, and If the chain is touching the teeth of the sprocket HOW? will it stretch/ loosen the lower run of the chain ?

yeeehaaar

Stephen

**Clockwork** · 6th August 2009, 08:35

Thanks so much for the replies guys. Comforting to know that its a common occurence. I'll definately try some of these suggestions. I really like Cajun's suggestion about swapping the axle nut side but way too mechanically inept to try that!! (I can't even adjust the chain without problems)

Anything advice on just how tight the Axle nut has to be?

**vifferman** · 6th August 2009, 08:40

Axle nut?

Adjuster nuts?

What kinda weirdarse system is this?

On the VFR, I loosen the 17mm pinch bolt, stick the pin wrench on the hub, hold the end of it against the wheel, rotate a few degrees, then tighten the pinch bolt again.
If I really piss about, I can take maybe a minute to do it.

**Cajun** · 6th August 2009, 08:41

Originally Posted by Clockwork

Thanks so much for the replies guys. Comforting to know that its a common occurence. I'll definately try some of these suggestions. I really like Cajun's suggestion about swapping the axle nut side but way too mechanically inept to try that!! (I can't even adjust the chain without problems)

Anything advice on just how tight the Axle nut has to be?

well you really need something to lift the rear of bike up, then all its is pull the bolt out and put it thru from other side. 5 min job sorta thing

**Clockwork** · 6th August 2009, 15:35

Originally Posted by vifferman

Axle nut?

Adjuster nuts?

What kinda weirdarse system is this?

On the VFR, I loosen the 17mm pinch bolt, stick the pin wrench on the hub, hold the end of it against the wheel, rotate a few degrees, then tighten the pinch bolt again.
If I really piss about, I can take maybe a minute to do it.

Sounds great.
Shame about the two superfluous cyclinders!