How do you tighten the chain on a single sided swingarm?

**Coyote** · 20th September 2007, 21:25

As the title sugests. It's not a problem yet on my bike, it looks fine to me. Just I want to know for when it needs to be done. It's probably really basic, I know they're meant to be easier than standard swingarms, just I don't want to loosen anything and find the whole thing falls apart

**Sketchy_Racer** · 20th September 2007, 22:15

I think you'll find that the Axel sits inside an eccentric cam which you rotate moving the wheel back and fowad.. Normally

**sAsLEX** · 20th September 2007, 23:52

The rear axle sits, on the NC30 I guess your talking about, inside an eccentric hub.

There is a 17mm bolt near the rear of the swingarm on top that clamps this to stop it moving normally.

Loosen this a bit.

Then with your C spanner....... or a big drift and a hammer if you don't like your bike, move the castellated ?think thats the right saying? washer you can see on the left hand side of the wheel.

When the chain is tensioned right do the bolt back up.

**Coyote** · 21st September 2007, 07:00

Originally Posted by Sketchy_Racer

I think you'll find that the Axel sits inside an eccentric cam which you rotate moving the wheel back and fowad.. Normally

Originally Posted by sAsLEX

The rear axle sits, on the NC30 I guess your talking about, inside an eccentric hub.

There is a 17mm bolt near the rear of the swingarm on top that clamps this to stop it moving normally.

Loosen this a bit.

Then with your C spanner....... or a big drift and a hammer if you don't like your bike, move the castellated ?think thats the right saying? washer you can see on the left hand side of the wheel.

When the chain is tensioned right do the bolt back up.

Cheers, sounds like something I would've been able to figure out

**FROSTY:Me** · 21st September 2007, 07:44

Theres a special c spanner to turn the castilated nut.Theres a universal c spanner you can buy fow steering head bearings that might do the job

**merv** · 21st September 2007, 08:02

Did you get the tool kit with your bike it should have the proper c spanner in there?

**sAsLEX** · 21st September 2007, 10:19

Originally Posted by merv

Did you get the tool kit with your bike it should have the proper c spanner in there?

How many 89-93? bikes would you expect to still have there tool kits after a few owners........ not a dig but unless it was a single owner I doubt it would be there....

A big drift and hammer works.......

**merv** · 21st September 2007, 12:44

Mate even when I sold a 26 year old bike I handed over the tool kit and owners manual with it. This is a Honda you're talking about the tools don't get used for much.

**vifferman** · 21st September 2007, 13:02

My '85 VF500 still had all its tools when I sold it in 2000.
My '97 VTR1000 still had its tools AND the owner's handbook after three owners.

**yod** · 21st September 2007, 13:09

Originally Posted by merv

Mate even when I sold a 26 year old bike I handed over the tool kit and owners manual with it. This is a Honda you're talking about the tools don't get used for much.

good answer

Originally Posted by vifferman

My '85 VF500 still had all its tools when I sold it in 2000.
My '97 VTR1000 still had its tools AND the owner's handbook after three owners.

my 97 RF still had the toolkit in it too

**Marmoot** · 21st September 2007, 13:31

Originally Posted by Coyote

As the title sugests. It's not a problem yet on my bike, it looks fine to me. Just I want to know for when it needs to be done. It's probably really basic, I know they're meant to be easier than standard swingarms, just I don't want to loosen anything and find the whole thing falls apart

You seen how your single-sided swingarm curves slightly?

Well, it started as a 90degree bend on manufacturing, then the bike manufacturer straightened it a little to tighten the chain as we all know a straightened piece of metal would give longer distance between the ends than one that is bent.

Every now and then when your chain is slack, you'd have to slightly tap the swingarm with rubber mallet until it straightens just enough to make the chain tightness better.

Eventually your swingarm will be straight and you can't tighten your chain no more. That's where a replacement swingarm comes in and this is how bike manufacturers make money. That's also why Ducati performs well in world race as they have the fundings (see how they make their 748/916 line with single swingarms?). That's also why people always moan that maintaining ducatis are expensive.

And that is why not many jap bikes are fitted with single sided swingarms. They are just that expensive to maintain....

**Fatjim** · 21st September 2007, 13:57

Remember to find out whether the bike should be on the side stand, centrestand or a paddock stand when adjusting.

**vifferman** · 21st September 2007, 14:05

Originally Posted by Fatjim

Remember to find out whether the bike should be on the side stand, centrestand or a paddock stand when adjusting.

... and remember to measure the slack like this:
1. Measure the slack when the chain is clean, lubed, and warm (after a ride).
2. Measure it at the point midway between the front and back sprockets.
3. Measure it at the tightest part of the chain (a worn chain will have some throws of chain that are tighter or looser than others).
4. Pull the chain down till the upper length moves up slightly - this is the lowest point.
5. Push the chain up towards the swingarm until the upper length moves up slightly - this is the highest point.
6. The total slack is the distance between these two points, and should be (depending on your bike) about 25-30mm. It's better to err on the slightly loose side, if anything.
7. Check the slack again after turning the rear wheel a few times.

**Coyote** · 21st September 2007, 15:03

Originally Posted by merv

Did you get the tool kit with your bike it should have the proper c spanner in there?

It does have a toolkit underneath the pillion seat with screwdriver, pliars, 17 and 19 mm spanners and some weird thing named R32.5, otherwise I see no spanners that'll fit the axle bolt (unless you use that R32.5 somehow)