@kingofkings417 Move the axel all the way forward, towards the front of the bike, that way as the chain wears, you'll be able to slide the axel backwards to take up the slack.
@LmNutZ No, you can do it with the bike on the sidestand, but it's much easier with the bike in the air. If you don't have a centerstand, you should really invest in a rear-stand. Even Harbor Freight is selling them now for really cheap. So no more excuses. :)
@canyonchaser WISH you lived near me in the UK mate, theres a link on my chain the is stiff can seem to get it loose and it looks a tiny bit kinked :( i dont want my bike breaking on me, it's a YBR 125 =/
Hi, thanks for the video. My Haynes SV650 (99-02) manual says to loosen the nut holding the torque arm to the rear brake caliper - something you did not mention. Is that an oversight or just not really necessary? Cheers
Hey canyonchaser, what can I do when I don't know how much I adjusted the chain on both sides... :S The wheel is going real slow around and the chain is "Extreme" Thight!
@canyonchaser - Hi, great vid. question for ya: My 2008 zx14 would have the chain hitting the swingarm/plastic chain guide before the recommended slack of 1-1.3"
Therefore i set the chain slack somewhat less. probably .5-.75" It is a fairly low km bike and there are no discernable tight spots or loose spots throughout the wheel rotation. Do you think this setting will cause premature wear?
@sphinctersoup You need to check the bike's recommended slack. I would think having a chain that tight would cause excessive wear and would bind/restrict swingarm movement.
Did my chain slack adjustment for the first time but I had a prob where the adjuster plates on the back of the swing arm would work lose when torquing the rear axle nut back up..so used the technique with the wrench between the socket and chain in this vid...worked a treat! thanks
fantastic video. im just off outside with my Haynes manual to do my cbr 600f for the first time. Never needed to adjust my chain tension on my yzfr125 in the whole year i owned it. So this is a first for me.
@canyonchaser - Hi, some "experts" have told me that you should never tighten the axle without a torque wrench because if you make it too tight, the axle bolt may break, and if it is too loose, the wheel will slip forward again. Is this true? And if you do use a torque wrench, what setting must you use to tighten an axle bolt? Thanks.
@javachan Its' always a good idea to use a torque wrench, but the torque setting will be unique to your motorcycle. Just realize a quality torque wrench big enough to handle that size bolt could cost around $100 or more.
One thing I don't understand is, if you put the wrench in between the chain and sprocket before you tighten everything, wouldn't that move things forward and interfere with the adjustment of the slack you just made?
After I move the adjusters, supposedly the chain is adjusted, correct? Well now after I put the wrench in, I'm pushing everything together, wouldn't that affect the chain slack again?
@Sbafokkio Putting the wrench in pulls everything forward so it makes the chain a smidgen looser (which is okay) but whats important about it, is it makes sure the axel and all the spacers are pulled together tightly so there is no slop in any of the parts.
@Sbafokkio No. I would not. It's not going to be enough to make a difference. But you should check your chain tension after you tighten the axle. Some bikes have enough flex in the swingarm that the chain will become tighter after torquing everything down. So, check, adjust, tighten, check.
i have sv650.my axle bolt faces the other way though. should i switch it? and can you do a rear bearing replacement video? i burned up my bearings some how.should i also replace the axle since bearings got so hot. also how tight should you crank down the axle bolt nut when finishing. ur video was helpful so far. thanks!
@alantecontra - The direction of the axle isn't critical on the SV650 as long as you have the spacers in the correct location. You need special tools to change bearings, and things can go horribly wrong if it's done correctly. Thats really a job for a trained mechanic. And you probably don't need to replace the axle, but you may want to have a mechanic look at it, it's possible it's now warped.
Hey everyone quick question...if a chain is too tight would it cause problems with the fuel injection? My bike is now sputtering at low idle speeds (B/T 3k-5k rpms) and then cuts off with the FI light coming on until the bike cuts off and I have to start up the bike while it's coasting. I don't know if maybe I tighened it too much this time or it's something else but it started about 100 miles after chain adjustment/ Thanks for any help or suggestions
@mongrelchild Sorta. The weight of the bike should be on the rear wheel, but the slack in the chain is to compensate for the movement of the swingarm and the weight of the rider. So from that point of view, you don't need to put any "additional" weight on the bike.
Excellent how to video! The good detail helped me get the job done correctly. Do you have any recomadations on a good chain lube for an o-ring chain. I got some from the dealer but I dont really like it, it flings off everywhere. I put it on a hot chain and let it sit for a couple hours which helps a little but it still flings off all over the bike.
Thanks for the video. Just wondering... I adjust my chain with my bike on a centre stand. Is it ok to adjust the tension of the chain with the swingarm hanging, as it would be on a centre stand? Or does it need to have the weight of the bike on the swingarm as is the case in your video? Also, is there any reason to check the tension of the chain once you're sitting on the bike, as I often hear about online?
@dnisbetjones On the Centerstand is just fine. Some bikes, such as many Ducati's, will tell you take all weight off the swingarm to get the most accurate measurement. Also, I wouldn't bother checking again with weight on the bike unless the manual tells you to. The slack you are putting into your chain is to accommodate the swingarms movements.
I am curious about an alternate way to make sure the swingarm is lined up correctly. Tape measure seems to be too difficult for me to get an accurate reading because my bikes have a lot of 'stuff' in the way to read from the swingarm bolt to the adjuster bolt (exhaust, peg sliders, etc)
@canyonchaser He`s probably saying that because that`s what the official suzuki workshop manual tells him to do.I`m sure you know suzuki motorcycles better than suzuki themselves though.You didn`t loosen the brake torque arm nut either.This has to be loosened to allow the brake caliper to move along with the wheel when it slides back or forward when adjusting the chain.
Nice vid - measuring between bolts is one of the things I do myself; but I haven't yet found any recommendations on how closely the two sides should match, to be OK.. Do you have any input? I'm thinking something like 0.5 mm (1-2/64")?
I typically try to get it within a mm. 0.5mm is better, of course, but there is going to be some play in the chain and between the chain and the sprocket no matter how perfect you get it. Not to mention your swingarm is going to have a bit of flex too.
Very good video, well spoken and clear. Kudos.
Rpwolfsh 2 weeks ago
damn i am wondering how nancy got the bike on a table then put it on the rear and front stand
must be a damn nice hydrolic table
good video i just took my chain of to clean it 2 moth old chain coverd in rust over winter.
oil pans are great not just for oil changes but cleaning a chain as well
thanks nancy
guitaneman 3 weeks ago
@canyonchaser when my new chain is all et should i move the axel back to the from or keep it where it was?
kingofkings417 4 weeks ago
@kingofkings417 Move the axel all the way forward, towards the front of the bike, that way as the chain wears, you'll be able to slide the axel backwards to take up the slack.
dp2WF 4 weeks ago
I tried the method of putting an 8mm allen wrench between the chain and sprockets, but i think i turned the wheel to much and heard a 'snap'.
Any idea what damage I might have caused?
Now when I turn the wheel, instead of moving straight in a line, the sprocket sort of wobbles a bit from side to side.
stinger610 2 months ago
thanks, I started second guessing myself
MrHasie 3 months ago
You only adjust while the bike is lifted off the rear wheel right?
LmNutZ 4 months ago
@LmNutZ No, you can do it with the bike on the sidestand, but it's much easier with the bike in the air. If you don't have a centerstand, you should really invest in a rear-stand. Even Harbor Freight is selling them now for really cheap. So no more excuses. :)
canyonchaser 4 months ago
@canyonchaser WISH you lived near me in the UK mate, theres a link on my chain the is stiff can seem to get it loose and it looks a tiny bit kinked :( i dont want my bike breaking on me, it's a YBR 125 =/
subbed to your channel anyway
G00g284 2 weeks ago
Thanks Nancy :)
TheAlexandar137 4 months ago
Omg!! I've seen that sv650 on wikipedia that is such a sick bike. I ride a 2000 sv650 streetfighter <3
katanawraith 5 months ago
Hi, thanks for the video. My Haynes SV650 (99-02) manual says to loosen the nut holding the torque arm to the rear brake caliper - something you did not mention. Is that an oversight or just not really necessary? Cheers
ksr80drz400 6 months ago
@ksr80drz400 I used to do this, but appears to make no difference.
laurieh 6 months ago
I would have never thought of the 8mm trick. Thanks!
mcyankovich 6 months ago
THANKS a ton for this one... the 8mm allen trick is what i needed to make my adjustments, cuz I was never able to do it well before.
mrmischievous 6 months ago
Do you have a good estimate of chain slack? Inches or centimeters will do. Please?
suzukiholdenman 7 months ago
greetings from the UK thanks for your tutorial here a great help, i`ll be adjusting my bike chain this afternoon.
Jetstarboy 8 months ago
great job, precise and did not over look any steps, will keep watching thanks
mizzidy1982 8 months ago
awesome, thanks
jeanpierreparent 8 months ago
awesome, thanks nancy!
jeanpierreparent 8 months ago
great video! a "how to change a chain" video would be awesome as well!!! and with german subtitles ;-)
quiknik888 9 months ago
Hey canyonchaser, what can I do when I don't know how much I adjusted the chain on both sides... :S The wheel is going real slow around and the chain is "Extreme" Thight!
I don't want to crash in 80 km/h :S
TheSkarsbo 9 months ago
@canyonchaser - Hi, great vid. question for ya: My 2008 zx14 would have the chain hitting the swingarm/plastic chain guide before the recommended slack of 1-1.3"
Therefore i set the chain slack somewhat less. probably .5-.75" It is a fairly low km bike and there are no discernable tight spots or loose spots throughout the wheel rotation. Do you think this setting will cause premature wear?
sphinctersoup 10 months ago
@sphinctersoup You need to check the bike's recommended slack. I would think having a chain that tight would cause excessive wear and would bind/restrict swingarm movement.
canyonchaser 10 months ago
@canyonchaser my axle wont budge... im using a ratchet because i cant get a wrench that big and it ant budging should i just get the wrench
Nick75987 1 month ago
great vid keep up the good work and tips
wayne840 10 months ago
Did my chain slack adjustment for the first time but I had a prob where the adjuster plates on the back of the swing arm would work lose when torquing the rear axle nut back up..so used the technique with the wrench between the socket and chain in this vid...worked a treat! thanks
MrSixStringy 1 year ago
That chain is drier than a sponge
Bulgdoom 1 year ago
@Bulgdoom It's not actually. it has a really nice coating of white-lithium chain lube. I
canyonchaser 1 year ago 4
@canyonchaser i use it too Bell ray Awsome stuff!!
bigbrobbboi 3 months ago
fantastic video. im just off outside with my Haynes manual to do my cbr 600f for the first time. Never needed to adjust my chain tension on my yzfr125 in the whole year i owned it. So this is a first for me.
Dravensdmf 1 year ago
@canyonchaser - Hi, some "experts" have told me that you should never tighten the axle without a torque wrench because if you make it too tight, the axle bolt may break, and if it is too loose, the wheel will slip forward again. Is this true? And if you do use a torque wrench, what setting must you use to tighten an axle bolt? Thanks.
javachan 1 year ago
@javachan Its' always a good idea to use a torque wrench, but the torque setting will be unique to your motorcycle. Just realize a quality torque wrench big enough to handle that size bolt could cost around $100 or more.
canyonchaser 1 year ago
Very helpful... thanx - just hope my wheel stays on after i'm done and riding again, not very well practiced in this sort of thing! lol
kornboy1516 1 year ago
Wow great video very professional and knows how to properly do a chain adjustment. Sweet I'll try it this weekend.
chatcat2u 1 year ago
great video, very descriptive and saves me having to get it done and forking out for it. thankyou
hvnsnt01 1 year ago
He sounds very knowledgeable, but he is wearing an apron named "Nancy" i dont know how credible that it :p
Franklin1337 1 year ago
Thank you Nancy
BRICKCITY1966 1 year ago 21
Awesome video.
One thing I don't understand is, if you put the wrench in between the chain and sprocket before you tighten everything, wouldn't that move things forward and interfere with the adjustment of the slack you just made?
After I move the adjusters, supposedly the chain is adjusted, correct? Well now after I put the wrench in, I'm pushing everything together, wouldn't that affect the chain slack again?
Sbafokkio 1 year ago
@Sbafokkio Putting the wrench in pulls everything forward so it makes the chain a smidgen looser (which is okay) but whats important about it, is it makes sure the axel and all the spacers are pulled together tightly so there is no slop in any of the parts.
canyonchaser 1 year ago
@canyonchaser
So would you recommend tightening the chain maybe a tad more than you would, if you're using the wrench to align the wheel?
Sbafokkio 1 year ago
@Sbafokkio No. I would not. It's not going to be enough to make a difference. But you should check your chain tension after you tighten the axle. Some bikes have enough flex in the swingarm that the chain will become tighter after torquing everything down. So, check, adjust, tighten, check.
canyonchaser 1 year ago
thanks nancy!!
hiimbong 1 year ago 10
i have sv650.my axle bolt faces the other way though. should i switch it? and can you do a rear bearing replacement video? i burned up my bearings some how.should i also replace the axle since bearings got so hot. also how tight should you crank down the axle bolt nut when finishing. ur video was helpful so far. thanks!
alantecontra 1 year ago
@alantecontra - The direction of the axle isn't critical on the SV650 as long as you have the spacers in the correct location. You need special tools to change bearings, and things can go horribly wrong if it's done correctly. Thats really a job for a trained mechanic. And you probably don't need to replace the axle, but you may want to have a mechanic look at it, it's possible it's now warped.
canyonchaser 1 year ago
Thank you for the great video, hugely helpful
JayMill3r 1 year ago
Hey everyone quick question...if a chain is too tight would it cause problems with the fuel injection? My bike is now sputtering at low idle speeds (B/T 3k-5k rpms) and then cuts off with the FI light coming on until the bike cuts off and I have to start up the bike while it's coasting. I don't know if maybe I tighened it too much this time or it's something else but it started about 100 miles after chain adjustment/ Thanks for any help or suggestions
mission762008 1 year ago
Thanks for the video. Tips I did not know!
fosterlevi 1 year ago
are we supposed to put weight on the bike to adjust slack???
mongrelchild 1 year ago
@mongrelchild Sorta. The weight of the bike should be on the rear wheel, but the slack in the chain is to compensate for the movement of the swingarm and the weight of the rider. So from that point of view, you don't need to put any "additional" weight on the bike.
canyonchaser 1 year ago
FUCK YEAH SV650!!!
mongrelchild 1 year ago
Excellent how to video! The good detail helped me get the job done correctly. Do you have any recomadations on a good chain lube for an o-ring chain. I got some from the dealer but I dont really like it, it flings off everywhere. I put it on a hot chain and let it sit for a couple hours which helps a little but it still flings off all over the bike.
Thanks
wsvitak 1 year ago
@wsvitak I really like the teflon based stuff. We're currently using a lot of Torco Titanium. Hope that helps.
canyonchaser 1 year ago
great vid, just snapped a chain from possibly not alligning it or lubing enough, will take more care next time!
oldskooldancemusic1 1 year ago
Thanks for the video. Just wondering... I adjust my chain with my bike on a centre stand. Is it ok to adjust the tension of the chain with the swingarm hanging, as it would be on a centre stand? Or does it need to have the weight of the bike on the swingarm as is the case in your video? Also, is there any reason to check the tension of the chain once you're sitting on the bike, as I often hear about online?
Thanks!!
dnisbetjones 1 year ago
@dnisbetjones On the Centerstand is just fine. Some bikes, such as many Ducati's, will tell you take all weight off the swingarm to get the most accurate measurement. Also, I wouldn't bother checking again with weight on the bike unless the manual tells you to. The slack you are putting into your chain is to accommodate the swingarms movements.
canyonchaser 1 year ago
@canyonchaser Thank you!
I am curious about an alternate way to make sure the swingarm is lined up correctly. Tape measure seems to be too difficult for me to get an accurate reading because my bikes have a lot of 'stuff' in the way to read from the swingarm bolt to the adjuster bolt (exhaust, peg sliders, etc)
dnisbetjones 1 year ago
i thought it was best to adjust the chain on an sv while bike is on sidestand?
mad4it02 1 year ago
@mad4it02 Why? So you wouldn't be able to turn the wheel?
canyonchaser 1 year ago
@canyonchaser He`s probably saying that because that`s what the official suzuki workshop manual tells him to do.I`m sure you know suzuki motorcycles better than suzuki themselves though.You didn`t loosen the brake torque arm nut either.This has to be loosened to allow the brake caliper to move along with the wheel when it slides back or forward when adjusting the chain.
RhODomhnaill 1 year ago
best video on youtube for chain adjustment.
mosesposes 1 year ago
Great tips nancy. You are now one of my favourites.
Gav671 1 year ago
Haha, thanks!
canyonchaser 1 year ago
thanks...very well spoken..well described on all my Questions which i couldnt else where...THANKS
omzzy005 2 years ago
Great Vid Nancy...Thanks :>)
jimhikeat 2 years ago
wow
justamon 2 years ago
very good
scunnyred 2 years ago
Nice vid - measuring between bolts is one of the things I do myself; but I haven't yet found any recommendations on how closely the two sides should match, to be OK.. Do you have any input? I'm thinking something like 0.5 mm (1-2/64")?
SajmonDK 2 years ago
I typically try to get it within a mm. 0.5mm is better, of course, but there is going to be some play in the chain and between the chain and the sprocket no matter how perfect you get it. Not to mention your swingarm is going to have a bit of flex too.
canyonchaser 2 years ago
Very informative and well made vid. Thanks from a newbie biker in the UK!
Martyn0001 2 years ago 2
I'd prefer to use a rag, instead of a metal tool, to jam between the chain and sprocket. IMO
r00kiec00kie 2 years ago
great staff, thanks, sub already.
michaelzs1004 2 years ago
Great Vid.
Two great points: Measure from the swingarm pivot, and jam a wrench in the sprocket.
Excellent "must know" tricks.
ThePackJack 2 years ago
nancy lol
nick4634 2 years ago
Sweet vid!! I'm gonna check out the website right now!
cardenasrc51 2 years ago
that is a very informative video 5 stars
journeytheoutdoors 2 years ago
Thanks helped me out. Kawasaki Ninja 650r 07
sk8goofy 2 years ago
Great video! I like the trick with the allen wrench in the chain.
asnydes 2 years ago
Great video and very informative. But, that chain seems to be loaded with kinks?
briansongss 2 years ago
Best vid on youtube for chain adjustment.
Good video, audio, and you even sounds like an info-mercial.
Gotta give an explanation for the nancy apron though.....
Gen3Benz 2 years ago
I want one of those lift stands for mine! Nay, I want the whole garage :)
Timmah44 2 years ago
Best Vid I've seen on adjustments.Thanks!!
batesyellow01 2 years ago
Great video.
LOVE that paint job on that bike. Never seen one like it and it looks great.
kgriggs8 2 years ago 2
bro, im in love with that paint job!!!
therockkkkher 2 years ago
Haha.. Nancy...
MarlinBOSA 2 years ago
Good guide.
speedybfoure 2 years ago
These are the best motorcycle vids on Youtube, great job!
misterwipedown 2 years ago
Great video, but who is Nancy and does she know that you've been using her apron while working on bikes?
brentm099 2 years ago
Thanks for the video.
enricovespa1 2 years ago