Im a big boy now.

[pyrocam]

I finally did the scary task of my first chain maintenance.

realized that at all the cars at my place proberly have jacks in them. stole one. put it on a bolt under my engine, it was a bit unstable but with bit of weight at the front it was fine. managed to tighten and lube it all by myself. woot

so proud.

[Hitcher]

What is this "chain" of which you speak?

[Bonez]

What is this "chain" of which you speak?

Not everyone enjoys being shafted pyrocam well done for having a go.

[FROSTY:Me]

Cam--great now ya can come tighten all of my chains--just for practice

[Hitcher]

Not everyone enjoys being shafted. Pyrocam well done for having a go.

Oh well. Not being able to wheelie must have other rewards...

[Ixion]

I finally did the scary task of my first chain maintenance.

realized that at all the cars at my place proberly have jacks in them. stole one. put it on a bolt under my engine, it was a bit unstable but with bit of weight at the front it was fine. managed to tighten and lube it all by myself. woot

so proud.

Uh shame Faced confession Time !

Y'done better than I did last time I oiled Li'l Rat Bike's chain!

I'd just washed the Whale, so I was wearing gumboots.

Wheeled Li'l Rat Bike out , and positioned it so the back wheel was facing a bit of "waste" ground. Which meant it was parked on the wet stone flags. But, that's OK

Because the ground was uneven, the centre stand wouldn't work. No problem, it's a lightweight little thing. I'll just pivot it on the sidestand, hold it with one hand while I use the other for the oil can (You can see where this is leading, can't you ?)

The actual oiling went OK. Then I thought I'd start it up and rotate the rear wheel a bit, to blat the excess oil off. While I pivoted it on the side stand.

Yep, you got it ! Start up, engage first gear, pivot on the sidestand,let the clutch out, slip on the wet ground, fall over backwards on my [ass/arse, delete whichever is unwanted]. Pulling the bike over on top of me.

Much frantic scrabbling for kill switch (why can you never get to them when you need them) and clutch.

And a very undignified extrication. With Mrs Ixion laughing her head off from the deck. No damage to anything except my dignity.

I don't think I'll use that method again.

[pyrocam]

haha nice one ixion.

yeah I saw shit scared the whole time that the back wheel would grab on the ground, it was a bit like a seesaw. luckily (or smartly) was doing on nice flat concrete.

forgot to heat the chain up first though
oh well

and yes, next thing is to learn to wheelie

[Indiana_Jones]

I'm a man too you know, I go pee-pee standing up

-Indy

[bugjuice]

well done mate.. see, ain't so hard after all
you did tighten the axle back up, didn't you.......???

[pyrocam]

well done mate.. see, ain't so hard after all
you did tighten the axle back up, didn't you.......???

yeah, nice and tight. it looks like its all right, im gonna take it on a ride now and see what happens.

[Indiana_Jones]

So, what did you do exactly?

-Indy

[pyrocam]

So, what did you do exactly?

-Indy

ahhm. used mates car jack on the engine bolt to elevate the right hand side (like without the stand) and undo the two side bolts and tighten the two rear bolts and retighten the side bolts. should be an inch movement at its tightest point

and lube like crazy

.someone confirm that with me, is it 1" at tightest or loosest, must me tightest or you would snap the chain when you sat on it

[Ixion]

ahhm. used mates car jack on the engine bolt to elevate the right hand side (like without the stand) and undo the two side bolts and tighten the two rear bolts and retighten the side bolts. should be an inch movement at its tightest point

and lube like crazy

.someone confirm that with me, is it 1" at tightest or loosest, must me tightest or you would snap the chain when you sat on it

Tightest. Though if there is a BIG difference between your chain is suspect.

[pyrocam]

my chain is only a month or less old so I didnt notice any particularly tighter or looser points. so I guess im good