Chain been slapping around hitting the swingarm? So tight you can pluck it like a piano string?
OK, lets adjust that chain!
Jack the rear wheel up using your favorite jack stand.
Find roughly the middle of the chain, or about where my finger is.
Push up on the chain and measure the difference. It is supposed to be 1 1/4 inch (verify with the sticker
on your swingarm).
Make a mental note of where the starting position is of the rear wheel.
OK, using a breaker bar and a socket wrench, break the rear axle nut loose. You do not need to take it off;
actually you don't need to do anything other than break it loose. You can use your foot to hold the socket
wrench in place and pull up on the breaker bar.
Using a socket wrench (or any wrench, really), start loosening or tightening the bolt on the end of the
swingarm, depending on whether your chain is too loose or tight. If you can't figure out which way to go,
you'll get it by process of elimination.
Make sure the lines are in the same positions on the left and right sides. If they
aren't then that means your rear wheel is slightly crooked... I'm sure hilarity will ensue.
Using a torque wrench, tighten the axle back up. Sorry, I don't remember the torque setting... when I find it, I'll
update this page. Make it good and tight. And remember my disclaimer from the top... if your wheel falls off,
don't blame it on me. :)
This tutorial has helped
people since May 4th 2004.
