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Chain slack measurement while on side stand

6.9K views 15 replies 7 participants last post by  Improperly Torqued  
#1 ·
2020 V Strom 1050:

If I place my bike in gear and roll it backwards I'll get the upper section of chain as tight as possible and the lower section as loose as possible. Roll it forwards and I get the reverse. I assume I want to roll it backwards to get the greatest amount of slack possible for measuring purposes. But since the manual doesn't explicitly state this I want to make sure I am not setting tension too tight.

I know the ideal way to set tension is to get the countershaft sprocket, swing-arm pivot bolt and rear sprocket in alignment and can have minimal slack in this position as the chain is at it's most taught. But that requires a helper and that I do not have. As such, I want to make sure that I am getting the best side stand measurement possible.

OTOH, maybe someone knows "the definitive" slack to use while on the center stand. I.E., place the bike on the centerstand in gear and rotate the rear wheel rearward to take up the slack in the upper section of the chain. Maybe in this situation the lower section of chain should have 35mm or 40m or whatever and if that is the case, I can use that number instead of guesstimating based on the side stand measurement. The side stand measurement can vary, of course, depending on the shock pre load setting as well as how heavily the bike is or is not weighted down. While on the center stand with the rear tire elevated these variables are eliminated and if I knew "the definitive" slack amount value I would be good to go.

Anyone?

NC
 
#2 ·
Suzuki has to state chain slack while on the side stand as a main stand is an optional accessory, and as you state this can vary a little depending on bike sag.
However, some here have checked both side and main stand measurements and say that any difference is minimal.
If you have a main stand try it.

Putting the bike in gear and rolling it back to remove all slack from the upper run is not recommended. In neutral, as you push down on the lower run the countershaft sprocket will turn to remove the slack from the upper run.

Incidentally, although Suzuki recommends 20-30mm chain slack (while on the side stand) experience here has shown that 30-40mm is a far safer recommendation. As a chain ages the slack at one point can vary from another.
Far better a little loose than a little tight.
 
#10 ·
Suzuki has to state chain slack while on the side stand as a main stand is an optional accessory, and as you state this can vary a little depending on bike sag.
However, some here have checked both side and main stand measurements and say that any difference is minimal.
If you have a main stand try it.

Putting the bike in gear and rolling it back to remove all slack from the upper run is not recommended. In neutral, as you push down on the lower run the countershaft sprocket will turn to remove the slack from the upper run.

Incidentally, although Suzuki recommends 20-30mm chain slack (while on the side stand) experience here has shown that 30-40mm is a far safer recommendation. As a chain ages the slack at one point can vary from another.
Far better a little loose than a little tight.
This is what i was missing. Thank you!

I should have known that keeping the bike in neutral and moving the chain up and down will allow the countershaft sprocket to freely rotate giving me the answer I am looking for.

I know I am being way too technical but thought I might check in anyway. I'll put the bike in neutral and check the slack and just not worry. If I am "only" at 30mm I'll let it ride as the bike is brand new and yet to be ridden and a little bit of stretch is to be expected the first few hundred miles.

I have had the bike for over a month but some work matters and scorching hot weather along with wildfire smoke has delayed me; not to mention getting all the accessories I wanted. Some of them had to come out of Europe as US suppliers did not have what I was after. It is all good now, first rides are Monday and Tuesday and hopefully a multi-day trip to Canada towards the end of the month. Fingers crossed the borders open.

NC