Chain tension PITA

[VladTepes]

Chain was super floppy to the point where it was snatchy and I was stalling at lights...   

I adjusted it as best I could and now the damn thing is too tight and makes unwelcome noises. 

Perhaps I'm doing something wrong along the way - what's the best procedure?

[steve porter]

really best with you on it and someone else doing it, to about 10 mm, but if not poss , bike on the ground and find the tightest spot of chain if not new and adjust to whatever the specs are 25 mmm i think

[grog]

Vlad, if it was adjusted ok and changed after tightening axle, start again. Before doing up axle nut, jam a towell or rag into rear sprocket, turn the wheel to put pressure on chain adjust blocks.

[Kiwifruit]

Sounds like chain is nearing its use by date. Xmas is coming, treat yourself to a chain and sprockets Vlad. Will make it a different bike.

"To hell with the expense, feed the cat another goldfish" 

[steve porter]

Actual clamping procedure, to be sure it won`t move under load, I set the slack, nip up the axle bolt enough that it`s firm, back off the adjusters evenly one full rotation, tap the axle with a block of wood and mallet one whack per side until it touches the adjusters and then turn the adjusters one flat at a time until even and straight, tighten and check, might sound like overkill, but counteracts any slop and never moves.

[Hooli]

I always find the chain tightens as you do up the axle nut, so recheck it afterwards.

If slackening I don't use owt posh like lumps of wood, I hold the bike and kick the wheel forwards to seat the adjuster blocks on the bolts.

No need to sod about with people on the bike, just set it to about an inch slack unloaded, I forget the exact figure. Suzuki know how much the chain tightens when loaded so allowed for that already.

[KiwiCol]

This tightening as you do up the axle nut is a PIA, reckon we (someone) should do a measure n say how much it actually tightens from 'slack / correct' to 'after nut tightening' then everyone would know to allow 'x' distance at slack to get the right chain tension after 1 go.  I'd do it tomorrow, but I'm 'playin' with the boat engine & wheel bearings.

[steve porter]

This tightening as you do up the axle nut is a PIA, reckon we (someone) should do a measure n say how much it actually tightens from 'slack / correct' to 'after nut tightening' then everyone would know to allow 'x' distance at slack to get the right chain tension after 1 go.  I'd do it tomorrow, but I'm 'playin' with the boat engine & wheel bearings.

That's why I tighten before setting,  the final pull up on the axle nut doesn't move anything

[GSXKING]

Unfortunately there is no "magic fix" for that extra tension on the chain once you nip up the axle nut. Most Suzuki's I've owned had this issue caused by welded swingarms. My Aprilia Mille was bad for it also. I countered it by using a vernier to measure tensioner bolts adjustment making sure it's even on both sides, helps the bike to run straight. I allow for 10-15 mm of reduction once axle nut is tightened. I put a screwdriver wrapped with a rag between the chain and rear sprocket to hold it is a still as possible. I hope this helps.

P.S. @VladTepes if it's too tight it will put loads of pressure on front sprocket and gear box, so looser is better 

Yours sounds like it needs replacing to be fair or is it all that extra horsepower from the Yoshi cams 

[VladTepes]

Well today is day 2 of being tight and I;'ll loosen it off a but tomorrow., hopefully no real damage done.
At the point where the adjusters are now there are no lines showing so trying to get it even is a royal PITA.

The sprockets (rear anyway) don't look all that worn. What's the typical replacement period?

[Eric GSX1400K3]

I always find the chain tightens as you do up the axle nut, so recheck it afterwards.

If slackening I don't use owt posh like lumps of wood, I hold the bike and kick the wheel forwards to seat the adjuster blocks on the bolts.

No need to sod about with people on the bike, just set it to about an inch slack unloaded, I forget the exact figure. Suzuki know how much the chain tightens when loaded so allowed for that already.

I set mine similarly, 25mm slack or droop from midpoint between front and rear sprockets, but I use verniers on the adjusters to ensure they're even - this does assume the entire swingarm is square and true.

[grog]

No lines Vlad? Must be renewal time for sure. Steve, how good was Darmah chain adjust, so easy. Diavel along same lines so guessing most Ducati similar set up.

[steve porter]

No lines Vlad? Must be renewal time for sure. Steve, how good was Darmah chain adjust, so easy. Diavel along same lines so guessing most Ducati similar set up.

Mine was a late one and had the adjusters at the axle end, I think some even had both. This is stretching the brain, but I reckon they were called Seeley adjusters

[Kiwifruit]

Changed mine at 55k probably should have done it at 45k. Finished up with a few tight spots and sounded like shite. Fitted chain and sprockets.

[steve porter]

Well today is day 2 of being tight and I;'ll loosen it off a but tomorrow., hopefully no real damage done.
At the point where the adjusters are now there are no lines showing so trying to get it even is a royal PITA.

The sprockets (rear anyway) don't look all that worn. What's the typical replacement period?

Must be rooted to be stretched that much