Tightening the chain.

[cache]

Can't for the life of me find the old thread about adjusting the chain. I know how to do it, but would like to revisit the helpful tips before I make the adjustment. If Thinker62 chimes in, he will tell you just how loose mine is, and I think that is what was causing the bad slamming in the rear when I lose traction.

Tips please??

[Kento-Moto]

PITB! ( pain in the butt ) However I have learned that adjusting a little loose before tightening axle works well. Cause when u think its just right ... then you make final tighten & cotter pin ... oops, damn, too tight!

Also, to make sure rear wheel is aligned properly: while bike is on a rear stand wrap a long string around the very front of the front tire ( once thru the front spoke ) - make sure front wheel is pointing straight ... then pull string taunt all the way back to the rear. Position yourself behind rear wheel,( get down on your hands & knees bunky ) while the leading edge of the string touches the front half of the rear tire. Space on the rear edge should be the same on both sides. If not, rear tire is not tracking straight, adjust accordingly.

Hey Chris, if u and and Thinker where hangin out ... where's the pics?

[MET]

Never ever use the marks on the bike for aligning the wheels, unless for and emergency. Always use a Micrometer or a special alighnment tool. The marks can be all over the place.

[Big O]

You can also put a ruler on the swingarm and position it close to the rim and spin the wheel. The gap should be the same as the wheel goes all the way around.

Much easier to adjust than my GSXR which required two closed end wrenches.

[Kento-Moto]

NE - where can I find a micrometer or alignment tool?
- Kent

[race24x]

I got used to adjusting my 1100 but the Busa is much more touchy about weight on and off . HAve a friend sit on the bike to ad weight . There is a huge difference sprung and unsprung with the Busa.

[cache]

Thanks guys, I will adjust on Saturday and let ya know how it goes. Sounds like a one-beer operation.

[busabullet]

I use the micrometer it works pretty good. Hey, Ninja where do you get the alignment tool?

[gararnett]

Remember, a little loose is WAY better than tight. Being too tight is what breaks chains. Ed Bargy (road-racing instructor in the South East) is always making people loosen up their chains at the track, as most tend to over-tighten.

[Postal]

Ninja: What is the tolerance when using a micrometer? Thanks!

+/- what?

[MET]

Just make sure the tolerance is even on both sides. Use nothches for a guide and then set your chain for how you like it. The mic is just to make sure you are even on both sides. Make sure you spin your chain around all the way and make sure you so not have any tight sposts.

[Mr. Busa]

This site might help allthough its not a busa but maybe you can get some pointers from it...also check out the cartest2000 for the busa on this site. http://www.cartest2000.com/fz1/chainslackadjustment.html

[MillenniumFalcon]

Ajusting chain? Hmmmmmmmmm.
I believe most if not all the racer do it from swingarm bolt center to axle center. I suggest you do it with the marks on the swingarm to get it close with the appropriate amount of slack in chain. Snug it up and measure from swingarm bolt to axle until you get it right. Some guys use a ratcheting strap around the seat and through the rim and ratchet the wheel into swingarm bolt level with axle bolt.

My $0.02
Excerpt from:
http://www.ta-deti.de/ta/chain.html

Check chain movement around the whole girth of the chain. Check, if wheel is running straight, or if both sprockets are in straight line, respectively. This is done most exactly by measuring the distance from middle of swingarm axle nut to middle of rear wheel axle nut. Has to be the same on both sides, of course. Tighten all nuts (don´t forget securing nuts ... ). Finally, check chain tension under load, ideally at that point, where front sprocket axle, swingarm axle and rear wheel axle are in one line. This is the point of maximum chain tension.

[MET]

Good 2 cents worth.

[Revlis]

Moving threads to relevent headings... Good stuff.

[bacharles]

So you are awake aren't you?