Chain Tension

Post by **manicguitarist** » Wed Oct 29, 2014 5:15 pm

Hi folks.
Looking at the chain on my NC35 - I hear that chain slack should be 20mm-25mm. Is this correct? Measured where? It doesn't seem much. My R1 had 45-50mm.

Looking at the chain now - with the bike on the side stand, on the bottom of the swing arm there is a black plastic protector thing - I can push the chain up so that it touches that - but the chain doesn't strike me as loose though.

Cheers folks!

Post by **dogmatic69** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 1:09 am

I just replaced mine and the box (regina) says 10mm - 15mm. Haynes manual says more than 40mm will damage the swing arm, cant find a value in the book though.

And I would guess you always measure half way between the front and back sprocket. That is where it will flex the most

Post by **manicguitarist** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 9:16 am

I guess I need to readjust (ha!) my mechanicalling (yup. That's a real word) skills as well as my riding after going from the R1=>NC35.

Post by **speedy231278** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 12:53 pm

15-25mm according to most sources. Mid way between the sprockets.

Post by **hunter** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 3:07 pm

The original UK Honda handbook states 15-25mm.

Post by **manicguitarist** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:27 pm

Thanks guys.

Looking at my chain - slack it is here

and here is pressed up

This shows a difference of about 19mm - however when fully pushed up it contacts the black plastic thing on the bottom of the swing arm - so I can't push it up any further.

Does this still count as 19mm?
Part of me says "nope...you *could* push it further if the plastic swingarm-guard wasn't there" but then another part of me says "yup - that's fine, because it would sag lower down if it was stretched more"...

I'm sounding like a noob here....but measuring the chain on my R1 was pretty straightforwards...and I was never able to push it up to contact the swingarm...

:)
Thanks for your help guys.

Post by **willandrip** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:10 pm

I don't know what is written in the workshop manual for your bike; but when I check chain free play I measure from fully pulled down to fully pressed up.

You appear to be measuring from how the chain hangs naturally to fully pressed up only. !

Post by **manicguitarist** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 6:31 pm

willandrip wrote:I don't know what is written in the workshop manual for your bike; but when I check chain free play I measure from fully pulled down to fully pressed up.

You appear to be measuring from how the chain hangs naturally to fully pressed up only. !

Well both yes and no.

I'm not pulling the chain down...but also when I did, it didn't move down from where it was hanging...

Post by **Davez29** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:28 pm

Whether I'm right or wrong I just measure slack from its resting position and pushed up to reasonable tight, not straining it tight. Always on its wheels and I tend to run it at the slack end of tension as I worry if it tightens then my output shaft may suffer.

Post by **manicguitarist** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:47 pm

And can you push the chain upto the swimarm?

Chain Tension

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