I was just browsing my haynes manual and it says drive chain slack measured b/w the sprockets should be 25-35 mm when pushing up?! Thats 1.4 inches. My bike has always had more slack than that...I just checked, its about 2 inches, it taps up against the rubber on the bottom of the swing arm. Should I tighten her up asap? I am not sure who told me to keep it that slack but thats how I have kept it since Ive had it.

 

I have a clymer manual and it says to keep the chain slack between 1 in. and 1 3/8 in. That's what I run mine at and it still hits the rubber on the top of the swing arm when it's sitting still but it pulls off of when you put a load on it. I've run mine at that tension for over 10,000 miles and my chain and sprockets still look good and run quietly.

 

Wait...if your chain has 1 inch slack how can it hit the rubber? There is definitly about 2 inches clearence between my chain and the rubber. Or does that just mean she's too loose?

 

platnumbob: you have too much slack. 1" - 1 3/8" at the loosest point in the chain.

 

K, thanks guys, I guess I have been under a wrong impression - good to know, although I may have done some sprocket damage already. I will tighten her up tonight. I still dont understand how you could have it at 1' slack and still hit rubber tho.

 

He said the top of his swingarm. You said the bottom of yours

 

That's where the confusion was. I was referring to the top, I think I misunderstood that part of your description.

 

no disrespect intended, but If you dont know how to keep your chain adjusted without pulling out a manual, you probably have no business working on bikes, and I question riding ability at that point.

Sorry, just how I feel, not tryen to knock U, but that is BASIC maint. Dont forget to look up the proper amount of chain lube ...lmao

 

He's far ahead of the squid on a gixxer that waits till it jumps a tooth then says "wtf? You mean I can't just ride it?" at the dealership

 

another good thing to check is chain wear. Push up on the bottom of the chain removing the slack and pull on the chain that is wrapping around the sprocket. If the chain comes off the sprocket a bit while under tension... it's getting worn