Chain tension PITA

[SFC1000]

I've used the Alpha chain.
https://tsubaki-rider.com/en/

[VladTepes]

I've used the Alpha chain.
https://tsubaki-rider.com/en/

Which particular one mate, and where did you course it?
And what was your impression of it as compared with others - quality-wise and price comparison?

[SFC1000]

The ones I used to buy were from a bloke that had a Euro bike shop and after closing that was operating from his house at Kedron, then Stafford and since moving from Brisbane years ago I have lost contact with him. I believe he has shut up shop totally.
He recommended them and following his recommendation I found them better than others I tried. Bugger all adjustments and great wear.
The Alpha ones I bought used to be o ring, but I see now they are x ring.
The site I put up is the current one I found.
When I need to replace the chain on my bike I will be contacting the suppliers direct.

[Irish in Oz]

I dealt direct, wasn't a problem, as I said Silverwater/Lidcombe Sydney. Only difference was I put it through my business so save a few $.

[VladTepes]

Well i faffed around for over an hour last night adjusting the chain and got it to where I though was about right.
made sure everythign was aligned as much as I coudl manage. and buttoned it all back up.

Too ages because some of the bolts are a bugger to do up.  The rear torque arm bolt especially - really hard to get any spanner onto the back of it and not even sure what size the nut is (that would have helped, I just couldn't seem to find one that fit properly.

I do have a nice big socket for the axle nut though so was able to torque that perfectly, and much easier than using the tool in the factory tool kit.

Anyway after all that, riding it out of the driveway this morning I rechecked and.... still too tight !
(Not as bad as it was, but still a tad too tight).

Arrghhh. There has to be an easier way.

[grog]

Shouldnt be that hard Vlad, 10 minute job.

[KiwiCol]

Did you put an old folded up cloth in between the rear sprocket & chain (turn the wheel by hand till the cloth is jamed about ½ way round the sprocket) prior to tightening everything up?  Doing that pulls everything hard against the stops & keeps it there while you tighten it.

A trick from the forum.  Think it was Stim who mentioned that, haven't seen him about for ages, since the old org.

[Hooli]

Too ages because some of the bolts are a bugger to do up.  The rear torque arm bolt especially - really hard to get any spanner onto the back of it and not even sure what size the nut is (that would have helped, I just couldn't seem to find one that fit properly.

14 or 17mm, I can't recall. One bolt is the same both sides, the other end of the torque arm has one of each.

I've always found the chains tighten as you torque the axle nut. At a rough guess I think 1 flat on the adjusters is about 1/4" of tension, just back them off a touch, kick the wheel forwards to 'seat it' & nip the axle up to check.

[VladTepes]

Did you put an old folded up cloth in between the rear sprocket & chain (turn the wheel by hand till the cloth is jamed about ½ way round the sprocket) prior to tightening everything up?  Doing that pulls everything hard against the stops & keeps it there while you tighten it.

A trick from the forum.  Think it was Stim who mentioned that, haven't seen him about for ages, since the old org.

Yep did that.

Shouldnt be that hard Vlad, 10 minute job.

I wish.

Too ages because some of the bolts are a bugger to do up.  The rear torque arm bolt especially - really hard to get any spanner onto the back of it and not even sure what size the nut is (that would have helped, I just couldn't seem to find one that fit properly.

14 or 17mm, I can't recall. One bolt is the same both sides, the other end of the torque arm has one of each.

I've always found the chains tighten as you torque the axle nut. At a rough guess I think 1 flat on the adjusters is about 1/4" of tension, just back them off a touch, kick the wheel forwards to 'seat it' & nip the axle up to check.

ta

[grog]

Vlad, undo axle nut, back off each adjuster a couple of flats, dont worry about torque rod, will be ok. Kick wheel fwd a few times, rag in sprocket, give a couple of hard turns, tighten axle nut. Check freeplay, all on sidestand. If not enough , go again. Job done. Dont forget to tighten lock nuts on adjuster bolts, two spanners required. 👍