How to .... clean and adjust your chain

[Bill CBF1000]

Tools needed

Socket Set (with correct size sockets in it to undo Wheel Nut)
Torque Wrench
Spanners (size to fit chain tensioner nuts)



Tools that may be needed

Small hammer
Big hammer
Small centre punch
Small drift
Pliers
Screwdrivers

Consumables

Chain cleaner
Chain Lube
Split Pins (if needed)
rags for wiping your hands on

Time required

1 Hour + (best done on a Saturday afternoon when theres only footy on the TV)

What to do

1) Read everything all the way through and make sure you are happy before you start!

2) Move bike outside where you can wash it



3) Put bike on centre stand so the back wheel can be turned freely, making sure it is in neutral and the ignition is turned off – take the ignition key out and put it in your pocket so no pillock can come and start your bike up as your working around the exhausts and drive chain

4) Making sure the bike is cold (i.e. not having just ridden it) and not sat in the hot sunshine (ha ha), apply the chain cleaner as per direction on tin

5) Get a brew on while its soaking

6) Wash chain cleaner off just using a jet on the end of the hosepipe – I dont use a pressure washer on it as they can damage the ‘O’ rings



7) Drink brew

8) Rotate the back wheel slowly looking for obvious damage to the sprocket or chain (broken teeth, stuck chain links, cracks, etc.)

9) Check against the adjustment marks on the swing arm that there is adjustment left (i.e. the indicator is not at the last notch – the one nearest the back end of the bike)

10) Check the amount of free play in the chain by measuring the distance it can be lifted up in the middle – it should be 20 – 30 mm on my bike (check your owners handbook)




DO NOT USE POOR FITTING / WRONG TOOLS AS IT DAMAGES BOLT / SCREW HEADS AND ALSO MAY SLIP AND CAUSE INJURY

11) Slack off the wheel nut (if yours has a split through it, remove the split pin and discard – never reuse old split pins)

12) Slack off the locking nuts on the chain tensioner arms.

13) Tighten the chain tensioner nuts one quater of a turn on each side and check the free play in chain tension. Repeat until the chain free play is 20 – 30 mm (3/4 to 1 ¼ inch). Rotate the wheel and check the chain tension in sdeveral different places

14) Check wheel alignment to ensure that the wheel is square (count the number of notches). THIS IS CRITICAL.




15) Tighten the lock nuts on the chain tension adjusters (never actually seen a torque settings for these – just do them tight but remember they are only small so dont be too heavy handed else the tensioners shear)

16) Using the torque wrench, tighen the wheel nut to the torque given in the owners manual

17) Have lunch

18) When the chain is dry apply chain lube – I do even though I also have a scott oiler. IMPORTANT - LEAVE CHAIN LUBE TO DRY ON CHAIN BEFORE RIDING OFF, ELSE IT WILL ALL BE FLUNG OFF !!!
This is how I do it – Im not saying it is correct or in any way take right! Ive written it purely as a guide and hope it is of some use to others!


Rough guide to tools


Socket Set -

Torque Wrench - Clarke ½" Drive Torque Wrench - CHT141 - Ratchets & Torque Wrenches - Machine Mart

Spanners - Clarke PRO20 12-Pce Metric Combi Wrench Set - Spanners & Wrenches - Machine Mart

Small hammer - Clarke Ball Pein Hammers - Spanners & Wrenches - Machine Mart

Big hammer - Clarke Club Hammers - Hammers, Nail Pullers & Pry-bars - Machine Mart

Small centre punch & drift - CHT126 - 12-Pce Punch & Chisel Set - Saws & Chisels - Machine Mart

Pliers - PRO108 - 12" Water Pump Pliers - Pliers, Snips & Cutters - Machine Mart

Screwdrivers - PRO45 7-Pce Professional Screwdriver Set - Screwdrivers, Bits & Hex Key Sets - Machine Mart


A bit pricey I know, but its worth buying good quality as they will last and pay for themselves over the years!

[skodaphil]

with some pics!

if no centrestand use paddock stand

chain, check for slack please check handbook for allowable slack.

measure slack

marks highlighted, they can often be hard to see

adjust as needed, please see bill's text above

most manuals have the torque settings in them, this is a torque wrench NOT a ratchet

lube!

hope these photos and bill's explanation can go some way to helping those inexperienced in maintainence

by the way some adjusters push the rear wheel spindle and some pull, and others are on a concentric adjuster (normally single sided arms)

[grotbag]

Bill, Phil .. you guys are simply the best!!!




That's absolutely fandabbybluddydozey, I can follow Bills text with Phils pic's and I understand what your doing!



Mwahhhhh to you two!! Thank you!

[marsey]

you can use paraffin (kerosene) and a toothbrush to clean your chain,let it evaporate then use lube as usual ,lot cheaper than tinned chain cleaner

[Boyaghan]

+1 on the paraffin

and if you're lazy about chain maintenance, buy a Scottoiler.
I've only had to adjust my chain once in the last 4500 miles

[marsey]

Originally Posted by Boyaghan

+1 on the paraffin

and if you're lazy about chain maintenance, buy a Scottoiler.
I've only had to adjust my chain once in the last 4500 miles

i`ve got one fitted as well 25000 miles on the original chain and sprockets,

the chain is still only still at half adjustment marks,funnily enough the front sprocket seems quite worn,think its all the crud that gets behind the casing (might be wrong),so i`m gonna buy a new un and let the rear sprocket and chain catch up

[Bill CBF1000]

just added piccies

[grotbag]

Wonderful, the forums very first pictoral 'how to' guide




ermmm .................. your trying to catch me out here arn't you!

Originally Posted by Bill CBF1000

14) ensure that the wheel is square

[Bill CBF1000]

as in "square to the bike" and not in "as round but with corners" cos if it isnt, not only does it scrap your tyre, chain n spockets really fast, it also makes going round corners or in straight lines a bit difficult.

So when did you last check, clean and and if need be, adjust your chain GB?



ps. can you change the title of this topic to "how to .... clean and adjust your chain" please

[grotbag]

Check it's still there every time I go out Bill and it won't be long before I've clocked up enough miles to give it a squirt of this stuff


and at the rate I go at my chain will last forever!