Topic: Chain problems

[Lumbee]

...here are both 550 manual (top) and 750 clymers (bottom).  3/8-3/4inch can't equal 0.04-0.08    or am I just losing it.  I say the 750 Clymers is a misprint...

[Jim Shea]

If it were, .4 to .8 of an inch, would that work??

[Einyodeler]

According to the original Honda Owners Manual:
"With the motorcycle on the centerstand, adjust to provide approximately 3/4" or 20mm at a point midway between the front and rear sprockets.Rotate the wheel and recheck slack at other sections of the chain.Slack must not be less than 3/4" (20mm) midway between sprockets, regardless of which chain section at which measurement is taken.
With the motorcycle on it`s wheels and laden with the riders weight, the rear swingarm moves to a more horizontal position thus decreasing the slack in the chain. At this point the drive chain slack should not be less than 1/2" (13mm) with the motorcycle on it`s wheels and laden."

This means you`ll need to adjust accordingly for the weight of a passenger or luggage.

[Jim Shea]

This is a daft comment but here goes.. There is only slack when you move the chain up, not down, this seems logical to me?
Do you take the measurement(3/4 in) from the top of the chain link(inner edge) or from the bottom of the link(outside edge)?

[Lumbee]

doesn't matter where u take the measurement, top/middle/bottom of chain, as long as you are consistant.  That is, total movement should be within 10-20mm from the lowest to high point at any given spot on the chain...

[Bob Wessner]

Should, I believe, be done mid-point between the sprockets with riding weight on the bike, preferably.

[Jim Shea]

I measured the whole chain and there is approx 1.2in or 30mm slack on the chain!!! This was while on the centre stand, so it is too slack?

[Bob Wessner]

I would take it down off the center stand and get someone to sit on it while you remeasure.

[Jim Shea]

Is there a consensus that the Honda manual is correct?
Also, whilst the manual says: must not be less than 3/4" does it give a must not be more than?

Posted by: Einyodeler 

According to the original Honda Owners Manual:
"With the motorcycle on the centerstand, adjust to provide approximately 3/4" or 20mm at a point midway between the front and rear sprockets.Rotate the wheel and recheck slack at other sections of the chain.Slack must not be less than 3/4" (20mm) midway between sprockets, regardless of which chain section at which measurement is taken.
With the motorcycle on it`s wheels and laden with the riders weight, the rear swingarm moves to a more horizontal position thus decreasing the slack in the chain. At this point the drive chain slack should not be less than 1/2" (13mm) with the motorcycle on it`s wheels and laden."

This means you`ll need to adjust accordingly for the weight of a passenger or luggage.

[dpen]

Should, I believe, be done mid-point between the sprockets with riding weight on the bike, preferably.

This is the way.
Set for between 5/8 & 3/4 slack & use the bit of wood as a gauge, as suggested & you're laughing.