Rear wheel drive chain question.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Whilst waiting for some electrical connectors to arrive thought I would do my first chain adjustment.

I have looked at some previous posts on the subject but unsure if the markings on the 400 rear forks/swing arm are reliable.

I initially tried by pushing the front wheel & axle fully forward into the rear swing arm then when the two adjusters had taken up the  slack turned the two bolts by an equal number of turns until the chain movement was about right. The rear swing arm marks are not equal they are slightly further back on the main sprocket side with 7.5 turns each on the long adjuster bolts.

I've read about viewing it by eye in my manual but am minded to now go by the arm markings instead - what would folk  hear do?

[Nurse Julie]

Use a Vernier to measure them Ted.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Use a Vernier to measure them Ted.

If I understand you correctly Julie you are saying the swing arm marks are accurate - use a vernier to measure the distance between the notch  on the  adjusters and the marks on the swing arm?

[Laverdaroo]

Use yer verniers to measure the amount of bolt sticking out of the rear of tplate on teh back of the swingarm Ted, as long as the bolts are the same length and the arm is on square you cant go wrong.

[Moorey]

 
  Or use a long straight edge through to the front wheel.

[allankelly1]

Yes a ball of string is your friend

Different bike but same check

 


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[Athame57]

What's a Vernier? 

[allankelly1]

What's a Vernier? 

Think is some sort of disease you can catch from “bikes” if you are not careful


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[Bryanj]

Something thats gets you very near to right

[Athame57]

Something thats gets you very near to right

I wondered if you had spelled Hernia wrong! I googled it, senior moment. I was looking at my own drive chain today, lots of life left in it but it is also showing a lot of rust along it's sides, I've never had that one before, but have I ever had a chain on a bike so long before? I vigorously rubbed it over with chain lube and it seems to have helped a bit, I'm wondering if trying too hard to clean it will do more harm than good?

[Lobo]

I’ve often wondered about the accuracy of the markings, and whilst matching exposed threads method myself, realise this isn’t the answer as it assumes perfect symmetrical build of the two ‘forks’.
I’ve occasionally done the task with a laser beam (modern string)…. but really have to ask, “is it that bloody important?”  Seriously, (& I don’t know the answer), for the performance of the bike, tyres etc, are the Swing Arm graduations + eyeball not accurate enough?

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I’ve often wondered about the accuracy of the markings, and whilst matching exposed threads method myself, realise this isn’t the answer as it assumes perfect symmetrical build of the two ‘forks’.
I’ve occasionally done the task with a laser beam (modern string)…. but really have to ask, “is it that bloody important?”  Seriously, (& I don’t know the answer), for the performance of the bike, tyres etc, are the Swing Arm graduations + eyeball not accurate enough?

Back in the 1960's I just went by the markings on all my bikes - the naivety of youth or the overthinking of old age!

[Bryanj]

When in a dealership i was told by Honda to NOT use the marks to be same as they could not guarantee accuracy but to line the wheels with a straight edge fist and from then you could move each side the same number of marks to keep alignment good.
In fact over 90% of the time we found that after using the straight edge the marks were exactly the same side to side

[Laverdaroo]

Yes a ball of string is your friend

Different bike but same check

 


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oooooo, I  do love that Allan!

[allankelly1]

Yes a ball of string is your friend

Different bike but same check

 


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oooooo, I  do love that Allan!

Hi Roo

Yes it’s getting there very slowly

Trouble is it’s not even a hybrid with a factory frame / bike with a change of certain parts

Completely a one off that make is a very hard build as the base is a Tigcraft super mono race frame with other parts sourced from other manufacturers such as a Yamaha 350LC motor, KTM wheels a Honda NSR 250 rear arm fitted with Ohlin mono shock and Cagiva Mito front forks etc etc

Under a dust sheet at the mo but it’s next on my list of things to finish

Take care and best wishes Al


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