I have to agree with a tight chain. You need to sit on the bike and see if there is about 1/2 to 1 inch of up and down play with the suspension loaded.

 

+10 on the chain as the problem Hawk and BTW how old are the sprockets and cush
pads ??

 

Sprockets are new Mark, as is the chain, but I'll check the tightness of the chain once I get into the garage

 

OK thanks for all the suggestions guys and the winner is..........................chain too tight

Also let me just check that I'm doing it right.

In the Haynes manual it says there should be 15-27mm of play in the chain. Now I'm taking that as total play, so I pull the chain down and measure from there to the highest point I can easily push the chain up to in the centre of the longest run of chain.

But now I'm maybe over thinking it, does it mean 15-27mm of deviation from where the chain normally sits?

I know stoooopid question, but stooopid is my middle name

 

Hawk. First of all you need to find the tight spot. Slowly rotate the wheel moving the chain up and down the whole time. Take your time and be sure to find the tight spot, then adjust the chain right to there. some chains are really even and some have a surprising difference. Movement is total from when lifted up to pulled down. Not busting your ****, just firmish pressure. Get someone to sit on the bike and check the free play at the tight spot after you've finished. hope this helps.

As far as I know there are no stupid questions here. That's one of the best things about this forum.

 

No stupid questions eh? I love a challenge Cheers Dave

 

Frankly Hawk, I'm pleasantly surprised that my comment "First you've got to find the tight spot" didn't draw your attention . Catch you later.

 

I'm watching you two..........................
Tight spots indeed

 

Glad it's nothing worse, Steve.
It's easy to just remember to set it at 20mm. The swingarm stickers actually say to set it at 3/4", so 20mm is a nice even number to remember.
And yeah, that's freeplay from top to bottom travel.

 

I've never had any problems finding the 'tight spot' Dave

In fact 'tight spots' can get a happily married man in some serious trouble at double quick time