Chain adjustment.........
Discussion
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.....
Thanks for your thoughts.....
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.
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!!
If someone could clarify that for me please, as I have a pair of wheels to re-fit this evening!!
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.If someone could clarify that for me please, as I have a pair of wheels to re-fit this evening!!
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?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.....!!
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.....!!
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?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?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
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