This is a real beginners question, I apologise in advance, but I guess everyone has been there.
I'm trying to adjust the chain, but for the life of me I can't loosen the axle nut.
I'm assuming its the one on the right as you sit on the bike, and I am assuming that it loosens anti-clockwise. I get it to spin a tiny bit, but it won't loosen.
Have stopped and decided to seek the advice of wiser and more experienced heads.
Its the first time I've tried. The bike is on 5500 miles and I bought it as a ex-demo with 500 miles on the clock. I'm guessing that I am the first to adjust the chain (?)

Sometimes you have to put a wrench on the other end of the axle to keep it from spinning.

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-Tom (DL650AL2) (KA1TOX) (E-I-E-I-O)

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Lots of horror stories about Wee Nuts striping out.........or the axle threads striping......can't remember. Perform a search using the word "axle galling" or something similar..........it should pop up. And I hope your nuts are never subjected to galling.........

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Current Rides: 2008 Yeller Wee + 2000 ZRX1100
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Yes and yes. You'll need a spanner on both ends. Galling is microscopic welding and tearing of metal under pressure. In some cases the threads of the axle and axle nut gall, ruining the axle and nut. If you turn the nut anticlockwise and it gets harder to turn, stop. An expert craftsman might be able to put a penetrating lubricant or heat on the nut and work it loose without damage. A less than expert craftsman will twist it so hard that it rips the threads out requiring replacement of the axle, or get things so jammed that the axle must be cut to get it out.

By the way, how loose is your chain? If it is still within the measurement in your owner's manual, don't tighten it. A bit loose is better than a bit tight.

When you do get the axle out, here are two tips (but the axle doesn't need to come out for chain adjustment)--
--Reinstall it from the right. All the various parts line up better for installation with the axle inserted from the right, and the direction makes no functional difference.
--Put a small dab of an antiseize product on the threads...Copaslip or something similar...then tighten the nut to only about 80 Newton-meters, tight, but not quite as tight as the specification in the manual.

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2007 DL650A Whee! (SV cam transplant)

Manage the unavoidable.
Avoid the unmanageable.

Thanks for that. The chain is about 4 cm which is outside the recommended 2-3 cm. The nut shifted a tiny amount then stopped - so I stopped trying for fear of damaging something and decided to ask you guys for advice. The nut on the other side is hardly deep enough to get a spanner on to.
As I said, I am learning from scratch here.

It sounds to me like the threads may be galled, in which case I would take it to a dealer and let them deal with it. If the threads are truly galled, they should cover a replacement axel under warranty. Galled threads totally suck!

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When you think of the long and gloomy history of man, you will find more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion.
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installation with the axle inserted from the right, and the direction makes no functional difference.

Now that's interesting. It would hold the caliper bracket mo bettah. I'll have to try that!

TURN IT JUST A HAIR to the right trying to tighten. then reverse and turn the other way. this has worked for me. also put a 2' pipe extension on your wrench for some leverage. i use the wrench from the bike's tool kit to hold one side and use a 2' breaker bar and socket to loosen the nut.

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2012 wee ADVENTURE, 2012 GOLDWING WITH TRAILER (TRADED FOR WEE STROM), 07 BANDIT 1250 (TRADED FOR 2012 GOLDWING), BANDIT 1200, NINJA 500, Z1000, ZX9R, MARAUDER 800, 650 SAVAGE, 750 KATANA, NINJA 900, '78 YAMAHA 750 SPECIAL, YAMAHA RD400

I'd really take it to a dealer. If they ruin the parts, they are under warranty. If you ruin them, you'll probably have to pay for new ones. Anti seize on the threads will prevent such problems.

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Pat- 2007 DL650A was ridden to all 48 contiguous states. 2012 DL650A is just getting started.
Nicknames for posting ease on my part, Vee = all DL1000s. Wee = 2004-2011 DL650s. Glee = 2012+ DL650s

Thanks guys.
Total bummer. Will take it to my local Suzuki shop. Thats been the second thing wrong with the bike - it was a Suzuki demo bike before I bought it. I discovered after a week while cleaning it that one of the front indicators was missing its retaining nut. Makes you wonder what they did with it.