Chain Tension

bergersteve · Jul 2, 2006

Boring question to most....what is the ideal chain tension. I go off the manual but I was at a ride recently and they all (ktm & Berger riders) told me my chain was too tight. What is the best way. I normally lay across my bike and pull the back end down and check for free play. But how much should I have.....and how much is that when the bike is on sidestand??

Cheers

LeFrog · Jul 3, 2006

Just add a tad more slack from the point where they tell you you're too tight and that should be your rule of thumb.

It needs to hang loose but not too much, just use some common sense.

Absence of shock linkage blah blah blah torn off rear sprocket or hub blah blah blah.

wildbill · Jul 3, 2006

bergersteve said:
Boring question to most....what is the ideal chain tension. I go off the manual but I was at a ride recently and they all (ktm & Berger riders) told me my chain was too tight. What is the best way. I normally lay across my bike and pull the back end down and check for free play. But how much should I have.....and how much is that when the bike is on sidestand??

Cheers

According to my owners manual you should just barely touch the bolt that holds the swingarm slider (pad) on the top. I generally run a half a turn looser but that is in the ball park.
Hope this helps.

ford832 · Jul 3, 2006

With your bike up on a stand,roll your wheel around until you find the position where the chain is the tightest.Remove your shock.Move your wheel(swingarm) up and down until you find the position where your chain is the tightest-block it there.You should have a little slack at the position to allow for chain torque etc.Once you have this set,reinstall the shock and find a measurement method that suits you-ie-two or three fingers from the top run of the chain to just behind,over the chain slider or whatever.It's kind of a pain but once you do it once you won't have to do it again and will allways know quickly when you check the tension.

JoeUSA · Jul 3, 2006

bergersteve said:
Boring question to most....what is the ideal chain tension. I go off the manual but I was at a ride recently and they all (ktm & Berger riders) told me my chain was too tight. What is the best way. I normally lay across my bike and pull the back end down and check for free play. But how much should I have.....and how much is that when the bike is on sidestand??

Cheers

The owners manual has the information in it.

Each year could be different, so look in your years manual.

Regards,

Joe

Taffy · Jul 3, 2006

i also lay across the seat. i pull the swingarm up into my chest and then with my left hand pull the chain up. i try to stop the chain just short of touching the strapping that surrounds the front of the arm.

i may be loose because my chain rollers are destroyed after just a few rides.

regards

Taffy

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