I read my owner hand book (RTFM) and it said check it on the side stand. It's an 04 and they didn't come with center stands. Mine was a bit loose. Loose, but not noisy, is better than elephant tight.

 

Check every 600.

You'll probably only need to adjust it a couple of times over the first 20-25,000 miles. When you need to adjust more frequently, it's time to order a new chain and sprockets.

Please, please, please err on the side of leaving it too loose. Very bad things happen when chains are too tight.

 

You'll probably only need to adjust it a couple of times over the first 20-25,000 miles.

.... if .... it's ... already .... aligned .... and ... tensioned ... properly ...


otherwise, yes.

 

I do it as per manual, side stand for checking, but I put it on the center stand to adjust.
First adjustment was around 15k the next was recently at 21k. Lots of room left for more.

 

I always find the diagram unnecessarily confusing

Does 1 to 1 1/2 inch include the width of the chain or not? The diagram would suggest yes so the real play would be like 1/2 to 3/4

yes/no

Way to loose chain will have then generate snatch (sexual?) and excessive clearance with the sprockets as the centripetal force spins them out to bend the ends of the teeth.

Check every 600 I think means just to give her a wiggle and I do it every lube so like 300 for me.

 

The difficulty with the side stand comes in when the chain has gotten some uneven wear. Determining the tightest point in the chain to use in setting the slack is difficult without getting the rear wheel off the ground.

 

Not sure how you are confused, but pick a point on the chain in the mid point between the front and rear sprockets, bottom run of chain. I use the lower edge of a chain link. That point should have 0.8 to 1.2 inches of free movement (per manual) before you feel chain tension.

I personally think thats a little tight and use 1.2 to 1.5 inches. This measurement is with the chain cold and the bike on the side stand.

As another said, a tight chain is BAD. It puts high stress on your countershaft bearings when the suspension moves through its arc and the chain naturally tightens. Your chain tension is not constant because as the rear swing arm moves the rear wheel moves forward and backward in relation to the counter sprocket.

There...that should really mess you up.....

 

I stick my toe under the chain every time I get on

 

A new chain has a small amount of stretch, then stays about the same length until it begins to die and it starts wearing rapidly. If you notice it needing somewhat frequent adjustment, it is dying, either due to improper lubrication, improper tension or alignment, or a bad chain, or just finally the end of its service life.

 

thanks for input. I read manual and bike only comes with side stand. Doesn't say anything about putting it on center stand for adjustment. What kind of grease is needed for chain?

 

Randy

Thats a relief I thought that was something else on your shoe

I didn't get a Vstrom Manual but on all mine it just shows the whole chain and some lines above and below

I have a rear swingarm stand so she's level with load still on the swing arm

so I run her with a little like an inch

loose chains climb on the sprockets and will cause chain snatch

All snatch is bad