Chain slack

[inztigator]

Boys and Girls...

To check chain slack, you meant to measure half way between the front and rear sprockets. However, this point is hard to measure as its where the swing arm starts to taper, if you know what I mean?! (Pic attached)

 

Makes it very difficult to get a true reading when the chain hits the swing arm :( I end up pushing it all the way down to get its maxium deflection.

[Skids]

Must admit, I don't measure it, I do it by hand, always have. Not too tight and not too slack.

Owners Handbook says it's supposed to be done with bike on the sidestand too which makes it that little bit harder.

[inztigator]

It does indeed, but I do it on the centre stand instead 

[stubax]

Honda say do it on sidestand so that the suspension 'slack' is taken up with weight on rear wheel, doing it on centrestand can result in an overtight chain when rear wheel is later sat on ground.

[Kiama Bends]

The owners manual says after adjusting the chain slack to tighten the bearing pinch bolt to 74nm. Do you all have a torque wrench for this, or do you just tighten it?
My new CR is only my second bike and my previous bike was shaft drive so I'm only just starting to learn the pleasures of maintaining a chain.

[inztigator]

I use a torque wrench.

[Skids]

Originally Posted by inztigator

I use a torque wrench.

Same here.

[stubax]

Torque wrench fo me too1

[Si Click]

Torque wrench, though fit a chain oiler and you won't have to do it often.

[heathy]

I purchased a tool from a company based in Lydney Gloscestershire, UK from Ebay. details are:
seller: bikearmourltd
Item code 172308795229
Cost: £15,99
Shipping £3.95
Alternatively "Chain Monkey" is a similar American made item which is slightly more expensive, around £25.00.
Dead easy to use and chain is tensioned bang on every time.