Ok this is kind of a stupid question, but since this is the first bike i've owned. How tight should the chain be? And what is the max distance you can move your wheel back in the dropout before you should replace the chain? I did a search on this and any post that came up had been either deleted or moved.

 

http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/GeneralChai...tershaft%20Nut

 

The book says inch and a half to two inches of slack checked mid-span between the sprockets. I'd never set mine looser than 1 1/2 inches.

My swingarm still has the sicker showing the red line on about the middle hash mark on the adjuster. But it's a sticker - who knows if it's even where it's supposed to be?

If I suspected a stretched chain, and the sprocket teeth weren't showing the tell-tail wear yet, I'd try to pull the chain away from the rear sprocket at the aft-most side ( 3 o'clock or so ) and see if it can be pulled away from the sprocket.

 

The 1 1/2 to 2 inches is the books recommended tension, but don't go more than 1 1/2".

The "sticker" corresponds to the middle adjustment mark, its in the right place. Honda puts that sticker there for safety reasons, they arent slapped on randomly.

Remember, if your sprockets are not original (ie: 15 tooth front), then your wear range will be off, because a smaller front sprocket would make your chain appear longer, while a bigger rear sprocket will make it appear shorter. Stock front is 16 teeth, stock rear is 43 teeth. The number is stamped on the gears and appear as 15T and 43T.