Chain Tension Confusion

[fetor56]

The owners manual says 5-7mm with the rear wheel off the ground but this seems far to tight . If u put the bike on the ground the tension varies very little (5-7mm) and i always worked to the safe rule of thumb 20-30mm with the bike on the ground. I know there are suspension settings/riders weight variables, but still, 5-7mm.
What tension do fellow Vits/Svarts prefer ?

 

[Jester1971]

I do mine on a paddock stand but you can get someone to hold the bike upright if needed. You measure the gap between the swingarm and the chain at 5-7mm I use a 6 mm Allen key between the chain and the underneath of the swingarm. On the swingarm there is a bit where the braces meet as shown in your manual, look for the flatter part behind directly above the chain line. Check it then wheel the chain a bit and keep checking as it can vary. The 5-7mm is not the up-down slack like on a ‘normal’ motorcycle.

 

[Jester1971]

At home now so took some pics….
Ignore the screwdriver handle it is holding the chain upwards whilst I took pics.

Yellow arrow is point on swingarm to do check, measure under here not where the red dotted line is…..


Measure here where the flat part is, still under the arrow.



I use a 6mm Allen key. Obviously a five 5mm would be looser and a 7mm would be tighter, 6mm is bang on middle of spec.

Bike is on the ground and upright (leaning against a wall, not on paddock stand) for these pics, I do not think putting it on a paddock stand affects the tension. When the manual say raise the bike it refers to lifting the rear on a paddock stand, not lifting so the weight is off the rear like with a centre stand of tilting on the side stand.

Hope this helps.

 

[fetor56]

Thanks Jester1971....understood and appreciate your efforts.