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Quick question about chain adjustment
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ohiorider Offline
Running Like a Top

NE Ohio
Posts: 343
Joined: Jan 2017
Post: #1
Quick question about chain adjustment
The CB1100 manual shows the chain slack being checked on the lower run about 6-7 links in front of the rear sprocket teeth. Since I don't really know where the front sprocket is located (so I can determine the center of the lower chain,) does that seem like a good spot to check the chain slack? Difficult to describe without an illustration.

I want to get the chain adjustment as close to spec as possible, since many on here have told me that the 'clunking' I sometimes experience on downshifts, or simply backing off the throttle regardless of gear, may be in part due to a too-loose chain.

But at the same time, I don't want to destroy a good chain by running it too tight.

My chain doesn't feel all that loose, but when I measure the slack, I'm showing approx 2". That's measured by pushing the lower run down as far as it will go, and then pushing it upward as far as it will go.

If I push up on the lower run closer to the counter shaft sprocket, the chain can be pushed into the swing arm.

I'm not trying to overthink this, but I would like to eliminate some of the drive line clunk without going too tight on the chain.

1991 BMW R100GS
2008 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport
2016 Triumph T120
(This post was last modified: 10-26-2017 06:01 PM by ohiorider.)
10-26-2017 06:00 PM
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chync Offline
Running Like a Top

Charlotte North Carolina
Posts: 303
Joined: Jun 2015
Post: #2
Quick question about chain adjustment
I think spec is 1 1/4” slack. I would adjust it. The round thing on the front sprocket cover is directly over the front sprocket. Use that as a reference to locate the approx mid point of the chain.


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10-26-2017 07:02 PM
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ohiorider Offline
Running Like a Top

NE Ohio
Posts: 343
Joined: Jan 2017
Post: #3
RE: Quick question about chain adjustment
(10-26-2017 07:02 PM)chync Wrote:  I think spec is 1 1/4” slack. I would adjust it. The round thing on the front sprocket cover is directly over the front sprocket. Use that as a reference to locate the approx mid point of the chain.


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Thanks for that piece of info. I'll use that as a reference point.

Bob

1991 BMW R100GS
2008 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport
2016 Triumph T120
10-26-2017 08:23 PM
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alprider Offline
High Mileage

CH
Posts: 1,342
Joined: Aug 2017
Post: #4
RE: Quick question about chain adjustment
Seat of the bike and a other person controll it
10-26-2017 09:49 PM
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warman Offline
1st Service Completed

SE Texas
Posts: 79
Joined: Apr 2017
Post: #5
RE: Quick question about chain adjustment
Mine had a lot of "clunk" but to it also. But all of went away when I cleaned and oiled the chain good.
10-26-2017 10:08 PM
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chync Offline
Running Like a Top

Charlotte North Carolina
Posts: 303
Joined: Jun 2015
Post: #6
RE: Quick question about chain adjustment
The "clunk" you may hear shifting down into first gear is normal and comes from the transmission design I believe. I saw a great explanation of that somewhere but I can't remember where. Shifting down into 2nd through 5th (on a 6 speed) on mine has always been very smooth.
10-27-2017 06:50 AM
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ohiorider Offline
Running Like a Top

NE Ohio
Posts: 343
Joined: Jan 2017
Post: #7
RE: Quick question about chain adjustment
(10-26-2017 07:02 PM)chync Wrote:  I think spec is 1 1/4” slack. I would adjust it. The round thing on the front sprocket cover is directly over the front sprocket. Use that as a reference to locate the approx mid point of the chain.


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I did adjust it before putting in a hundred lovely miles today. The weather looks like it's going to fall apart tomorrow, so today was a real gift.

And the CB feels much better. Much less clunking in the drive line. I checked it at 5-6 different chain positions, and I had between 1" and 1.25" slack after the adjustment.

I used the Motion Pro chain alignment tool that's been gathering dust ever since I sold my Bonneville T100 several years ago. I wanted to remove the chain guard so I could attach the tool, so I removed the two bolts I could see. There is apparently a third bolt holding the guard that is well-hidden on the side toward the wheel. Fortunately, removing the two outer bolts allowed me to swing the chain guard upward, giving more than enough room to use the alignment tool. The tool provides an additional level of confidence that the sprocket and chain are in alignment.

https://www.google.com/search?q=motion+p...e&ie=UTF-8

Thanks to all for their advice.

Bob

1991 BMW R100GS
2008 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport
2016 Triumph T120
(This post was last modified: 10-27-2017 12:58 PM by ohiorider.)
10-27-2017 12:55 PM
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kennyw Offline
High Mileage

Gold Bar
Posts: 1,407
Joined: May 2015
Post: #8
RE: Quick question about chain adjustment
(10-27-2017 12:55 PM)ohiorider Wrote:  I wanted to remove the chain guard so I could attach the tool, so I removed the two bolts I could see. There is apparently a third bolt holding the guard that is well-hidden on the side toward the wheel.

That third mounting point is just a tab and slot towards the front of the guard. It will come out with a little wiggle while pulling up.

KennyW
10-27-2017 02:25 PM
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ohiorider Offline
Running Like a Top

NE Ohio
Posts: 343
Joined: Jan 2017
Post: #9
RE: Quick question about chain adjustment
(10-27-2017 02:25 PM)kennyw Wrote:  
(10-27-2017 12:55 PM)ohiorider Wrote:  I wanted to remove the chain guard so I could attach the tool, so I removed the two bolts I could see. There is apparently a third bolt holding the guard that is well-hidden on the side toward the wheel.

That third mounting point is just a tab and slot towards the front of the guard. It will come out with a little wiggle while pulling up.

Good info. I'll be buying a shop manual over the winter.

Bob

1991 BMW R100GS
2008 Moto Guzzi 1200 Sport
2016 Triumph T120
10-27-2017 02:45 PM
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Full Throttle Offline
Break-In Period

Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 14
Joined: May 2017
Post: #10
RE: Quick question about chain adjustment
Don't over think it. it's just a chain.
10-28-2017 08:44 AM
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