Chain adjustment.........

[Phil C]

sorry for posting what seems a really boring topic....but.....as a relative newbie to the fold I was wondering how difficult carrying out chain adjustment is? Any special tools needed? I'm reasonably mechanically minded with a bearable toolkit, but the bike is new and I don't want to cock it up. I was somewhat put off by a mate with a sports bike who said he always leaves his to the workshop as "modern suspension depends on spot on wheel alignment, and you haven't got the tools to do this at home".

Thanks for your thoughts.....

[rsv gone!]

http://www.sportrider.com/tech/146_0010_handson/in...

[dern]

Use the string method as detailed to align your wheel... dead easy and very accurate.

[BraemarBlue]

Used to do it years ago - switched to shaft drive and would never go back to chain drive. Its dreadful!

[Chilli]

Don't you just move the rear wheel backwards and forwards using the markings on the swingarm as an alignment tool?

[Shay HTFC]

Those marks on the swingarm shouldn't really be relied upon for spot on accurate measurement. Much better to use the string method.

[RemaL]

so how easy it with a sigle sided swingarm?

[dern]

Chilli said:

Don't you just move the rear wheel backwards and forwards using the markings on the swingarm as an alignment tool?

They're frequently not very accurate and small changes within the marked units can have pretty dramatic effects on the alignment of the back wheel.

If I'm in a hurry and I know it's in line now but need to take up some slack in the chain then I'll move the back wheel back by doing one or two turns of the adjuster screw and the repeat on the other side by generally I'll use the string.

[Chilli]

Shay HTFC said:

Those marks on the swingarm shouldn't really be relied upon for spot on accurate measurement. Much better to use the string method.

But what if you don't have any string? I mean really? Why would the manu, manurac, makers put that on there then?

[Chilli]

RemaL said:

so how easy it with a sigle sided swingarm?

There's always one, isn't there?!

[C8PPO]

RemaL said:

so how easy it with a sigle sided swingarm?

Extremely, as long as you have the correct tool!

[C8PPO]

Perhaps I'm missing something here - I'm pretty handy with a set of spanners, but I can't see how the string trick works unless you're 100% certain that your front wheel is pointing absolutely dead-centre straight ahead??

If someone could clarify that for me please, as I have a pair of wheels to re-fit this evening!!

[dern]

C8PPO said:

Perhaps I'm missing something here - I'm pretty handy with a set of spanners, but I can't see how the string trick works unless you're 100% certain that your front wheel is pointing absolutely dead-centre straight ahead??

If someone could clarify that for me please, as I have a pair of wheels to re-fit this evening!!

Using the string you can always be sure that the front wheel is point in the same direction as the rear regardless of the alignment of the rear. That is if you drew a line along the direction of travel of both the lines would be parallel but not on top of each other. However, only when both are pointing in the same direction and they are both aligned will both pieces of the string be equidistant from the front wheel spindle.

[catso]

C8PPO said:

RemaL said:

so how easy it with a sigle sided swingarm?

Extremely, as long as you have the correct tool!

Indeed, 'tis very simple with the added bonus that the alignment is always straight, downside is that altering chain tension also affects ride height.

[blade7]

Chilli said:

Shay HTFC said:

Those marks on the swingarm shouldn't really be relied upon for spot on accurate measurement. Much better to use the string method.

But what if you don't have any string? I mean really? Why would the manu, manurac, makers put that on there then?

Lol, If one can afford a 1098 surely one would have staff to run it down to the dealers for a laser alignment.;)

[RemaL]

right i only asked as I have yet needed to adjust it

[Phil C]

Much appreciate all the replies. Particularly the link which was useful. Still a couple of questions tho'.

1. I'm not particularly comfortable with the 'how long is a piece' of string method (I'm sure it works just feels a bit Heath Robinson). How much is a professional laser alignment tool - roughly....?

2. Also the other question - how do you ensure the front wheel is bang on straight.

Or am I just worrying too much....my cornering technique would probably improve if the wheels were out of line.....!!

[Chilli]

blade7 said:

Chilli said:

Shay HTFC said:

Those marks on the swingarm shouldn't really be relied upon for spot on accurate measurement. Much better to use the string method.

But what if you don't have any string? I mean really? Why would the manu, manurac, makers put that on there then?

Lol, If one can afford a 1098 surely one would have staff to run it down to the dealers for a laser alignment.;)

Well quite. However, since the price of Crude has fallen somewhat, I've had to let some of the staff go. The pool girls are still around though.

[blade7]

Chilli said:

blade7 said:

Chilli said:

Shay HTFC said:

Those marks on the swingarm shouldn't really be relied upon for spot on accurate measurement. Much better to use the string method.

But what if you don't have any string? I mean really? Why would the manu, manurac, makers put that on there then?

Lol, If one can afford a 1098 surely one would have staff to run it down to the dealers for a laser alignment.;)

Well quite. However, since the price of Crude has fallen somewhat, I've had to let some of the staff go. The pool girls are still around though.

Stiff upper lip old chap, only the little people should suffer the inconvenience of cutting back.

[Momentofmadness]

Phil C said:

How much is a professional laser alignment tool - roughly....?

£50 http://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=537...

Of course you could buy a cheap laser pointer of ebay

Edited by Momentofmadness on Wednesday 30th July 17:03