Chain Adjustment / Wheel Alignment

Hey guys, Gals,

I rarely have to tighten my chain, probably because I don't ride in rain, I keep it clean and lubed, I don't rip huge wheelies using clutch, I leave it nice and loose((50mm play) on 929 because I noticed if I tighten it too much, it just stretches and loosens up due to swing arm geometry... In the last 4000+ (a lot of them at track) miles, I think I have adjusted the chain once that I can remember, maybe 2x. Anyway, I just adjusted my chain, so this is fresh in my mind.

So what do you guys do to make sure rr wheel is aligned with front wheel when you adjust your chain? I have heard the tick marks on each side of swing arm are not always accurate.

I have actually made a tool to measure distance from center of swing arm pivot point to center of rr wheel axle and can measure this dimension on both sides to make sure rr wheel is at least aligned with swing arm. but it is a pain to use accurately. It is sort of a a giant caliper.

I now use string method, where you measure gaps to sides of tires. This aligns rr whl with fr whl. Every time I do this I question how accurate it is. I strive to be as acurate as possible. I think this works if your frame is relatively straight, but to a certain extent, it should probably work even if your frame is not perfectly straight, because it is aligning and centering wheels with respect to each other, not the frame. At least, that is how I understand it...

Some measure with a scale from end of swing arm to where adjusters sit. If Honda uses end of swing arm as a datum such that both ends of swing arms are at same distance from swing arm pivot point, I can see that working.

Maybe I should just use tick marks on each side of swing arm. Just curious what others do to align rr wheel.

There are tools out there that lay against the sprocket with an arm pointing towards the front of the bike. That will let you check for parallel...

I use a small slide ruler against the adjustment block and measure to the flat end of the rear of the swing arm. And check visually afterward. There are more precision ways to do it, but that works for me.

On the 929, that also is what I do, works perfectly!

On the gixxer, I was less confident in that method, so I did purchase a chain alignment tool from Jimmy Chance on the WERA board. Was the easiest, most straight-forward one to use that I'd found. His screen name is Phat Chance:http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?t=181179&highlight=chain alignment tool This thread has info on it, as well as the cool looking rotors he machines.

Same here, only I use a digital caliper.

We would expect nothing less...

Cool. Thanks for feedback. I noticed after doing string alignment, that the distance from each adjuster block to flat surface at ends of swing arm is identical. So for 929 at least, it seems accurate to measure adjuster block distance from end of swing arm on each side. Plus, several of you are doing it this way. This method is a whole lot easier and quicker too.

I wrote an article on this back on Fireblades that is the easiest and quickest precision alignment for the 929 and at least two of the above posts echo that technique.

You taught us well pops.

Yeah, because we (or at least I) learned it from you!

lus1:

Add me to the list since I made a final tweak to my wheel alignment this morning using calipers (albeit, not digital, you know, the ones you have to stare at for a while to see which of the lines lines up the best) to measure adjuster block distance from end of swing arm. I ended up moving the right one back 0.2-0.3mm.... ugh! probably not worth doing but being the anal type.... it was bugging me LOL! I detected need to do the same with string alignment method too. Just got back from morning ride. Bike and brakes feel great!

Your bill will be mailed this week. Thank you for your patronage.

as an alternative to the string method, I used a laser level. the beam is wide enough to catch both edges of the rear tire, and then measure the front tire...worked well.

Mine's lined up by eye