Help, chain adjustment on a Ducati
Discussion
Not sure if the Multistrada is the same as my 748SPS, but probably. If it is then it couldn't be easier. The owners handbook says take it to a dealer - but it's about the easiest job I've ever done on a bike, and much easier than on a double sided swingarm. If it's the same, then here's how you do it; There are 2 bolts on the rear of the swingarm behind the spindle, they are basically pinch bolts for the rear hub. Slacken these off (but not loosen them totally), you should have a tool in the supplied kit IIRC, use this to turn the whole rear hub assembly to set the chain tension. Basically, the rear hub is an offset design so as you turn it, the wheel and sprocket move towards or away from the bike, depending on which way you turn it. Once right, tighten the 2 bolts again to the specified torque and recheck the chain tension. Can't remember the torque setting for the pinch bolts but it should be in the handbook. Not sure I've explained it very well, but if you look for the 2 bolts and see where they are, it may all come together in your head.
Edited by yellowvette on Tuesday 24th April 16:06
yellowvette said:
Not sure if the Multistrada is the same as my 748SPS, but probably. If it is then it couldn't be easier. The owners handbook says take it to a dealer - but it's about the easiest job I've ever done on a bike, and much easier than on a double sided swingarm. If it's the same, then here's how you do it; There are 2 bolts on the rear of the swingarm behind the spindle, they are basically pinch bolts for the rear hub. Slacken these off (but not loosen them totally), you should have a tool in the supplied kit IIRC, use this to turn the whole rear hub assembly to set the chain tension. Basically, the rear hub is an offset design so as you turn it, the wheel and sprocket move towards or away from the bike, depending on which way you turn it. Once right, tighten the 2 bolts again to the specified torque and recheck the chain tension. Can't remember the torque setting for the pinch bolts but it should be in the handbook. Not sure I've explained it very well, but if you look for the 2 bolts and see where they are, it may all come together in your head.
Edited by yellowvette on Tuesday 24th April 16:06
Many thanks, it is exactly as you describe so will have a go tonight, however the toolkit supplied with the 'Strada' is very comprhensive.
A spanner, screwdriver and sparkplug socket, so there may be some improvisation needed!! 
Have just spent a frustrating hour attempting the impossible.
Impossible due to the fact it needs a fecking specialist tool which does not come with the toolkit in the bike
I'm hot bothered and unhappy about having to do a 50ml round trip to get it adjusted and spend my hard earned wedge on a yet another bit of kit, undoubtedly it will be spitefully expensive.
Rant over, attitude adjuster required, Gordons finest in industrial quantities I think
Impossible due to the fact it needs a fecking specialist tool which does not come with the toolkit in the bike
I'm hot bothered and unhappy about having to do a 50ml round trip to get it adjusted and spend my hard earned wedge on a yet another bit of kit, undoubtedly it will be spitefully expensive.
Rant over, attitude adjuster required, Gordons finest in industrial quantities I think
veetwin said:
Just a point to note:
As the adjuster is eccentric, you will find that it will adjust your ride height as you adjust the chain tension. Compensate this by re-adjusting the ride by the adjuster bar.
As the adjuster is eccentric, you will find that it will adjust your ride height as you adjust the chain tension. Compensate this by re-adjusting the ride by the adjuster bar.
Years ago I had an RD400 with a JMC swing arm, which had eccentric adjuster's. IIRC it was just a flat bar with two round tubes (welded) that fitted into the holes to gain adjustment.
As veetwin says turning through 180 degrees would increase or decrease ride height.
veetwin said:
Just a point to note:
As the adjuster is eccentric, you will find that it will adjust your ride height as you adjust the chain tension. Compensate this by re-adjusting the ride by the adjuster bar.
As the adjuster is eccentric, you will find that it will adjust your ride height as you adjust the chain tension. Compensate this by re-adjusting the ride by the adjuster bar.
Good point, also do not over-tighten the two pinch bolts otherwise they can compress the bearing which will then get stiff, overheat and ultimately fail - this is why Ducati say to take it to a dealer.
It is however a remarkably easy job as long as you have a good torque wrench.
ballon said:
Have just spent a frustrating hour attempting the impossible.
Impossible due to the fact it needs a fecking specialist tool which does not come with the toolkit in the bike
Impossible due to the fact it needs a fecking specialist tool which does not come with the toolkit in the bike
You need one of these;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chain-Hub-Adjus
catso said:
Looks suspiciously like the tool supplied in the VFR toolkit, if you know someone with a VFR that may help. Good Luck
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