Quick question on chain..

[shuluke]

Hello everyone,

This being the first bike and all, I am not sure about my chain length or tightness. Anyway, I quickly cleaned my chain and was wondering if it looks too low. I took a picture so people would have a better idea, but I should have taken a few pictures.. Anyway, suggestions are always welcome..



I also dont trust myself on changing a chain yet, I am willing to feed someone(Poor college student) in Albuquerque area if they can help me out in maintaining my bike. I am a visual learner as well. Anyway more pictures up tomorrow, just ask for different angles.

Shuluke

[qwertydude]

Looks a little loose, but it's easy to tighten the chain, put the bike on it's center stand. Just get a couple of wrenches to fit the axle nut and bolt. Remove the lock pin from the nut with some pliers. And holding the bolt on the right with the wrench, loosen the nut some, not all the way just enough so it's free to move. Then take a smaller wrench I believe it's 10mm and tighten the adjuster nuts on the back of the swingarm equal amounts, start with small amounts like 1/8 of a turn untill you get the chain to where there is only about .75 to 1.25 inches of play in the chain. Looks like you've got more than 1.5 inches of play there but not terribly loose by any means.

[ajaxgs]

the chain has to be adjusted on the side stand to get the proper mesurment!!!!!! , yes it does look a bit loose

[qwertydude]

Whoops did I say centerstand? Sidestand is right 

[shuluke]

Do I need to replace the Cotter pin? Sorry for bringing this up from the past.. I am back and want to tighten the chain. It looks like the chain rubbed up against the center stand a bit.. 

[surf.seppo]

Replace the cotter pin any time you have to pull it. Since you have to loosen the axle to tighten the chain, you'll need to pull the pin. Ergo, new pin time.

My chain used to rub the stand. I found that the stand was actually too high because its holder was bent in from being dropped on the right hand side. Maybe make sure that the stand is as low as it should be. 

[manofthefield]

You might want to pick up a Clymer or Haynes service manual.  They have some pictures, but also has torques and stuff like that.  Hopefully you can find someone to help you learn too

[ohgood]

Ya, it looks overly slack.

Put a ruler on the ground OR on your swingarm, and push the chain up with your gloved finger. IIRC 7/8" - 1 " is allowable. Move the bike forward a foot or so, and check again. You want to make sure there isn't a super tight or super loose section of chain.

After you get the slack out, look at the 'string method' (search the forum) for howto check your wheel alignment. If you're aligned, your tires will last allot longer, ride straighter, and drop into turns easier. Basically, a better bike for a little effort.

my chain was neglected by the first and second owners till about 2800 miles, then i bought it, and kept it oiled and it lasted 24,000 miles before it was stretched/worn to the point of needing replacement

[08GSSteve]

Thats a good life for a chain.

Erm.....why the side stand and not the center stand.

All my other bikes have been checked while on center?  have I been doing it wrong all these years?

[Jon The Buddha]

You might want to pick up a Clymer or Haynes service manual.  They have some pictures, but also has torques and stuff like that.  Hopefully you can find someone to help you learn too

Yeah...like this one!

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=41399.msg468767#msg468767

[beRto]

Erm.....why the side stand and not the center stand.

The recommendation to check/adjust the chain on the sidestand comes directly from Suzuki:

[ohgood]

Thats a good life for a chain.

Erm.....why the side stand and not the center stand.

All my other bikes have been checked while on center?  have I been doing it wrong all these years?

it's so that the bike has weight on the tire/swingarm. without weight, you may get a false reading, and end up with an overly tight chain when you sit on it.

if you happen to be a big guy/gal, you may want to get a buddy to measure it with you ON the bike, just to be sure it's not pulled tight as heck .

the sidestand is the way.

[shuluke]

Hey guys,

I tighten up  my slack last night and it was not nearly as hard as I was imagining. It felt really smooth riding after getting it done and then I realized I forgot to tighten the bolt that the cotter pin holds back on!! luckily nothing happened and I went back home and tightened it. I totally forgot to move it a bit and check for tightness.. Ill do that tomorrow when I see my bike again.. Thanks everyone for the help! I was going to get a SV but the owner realised how much his bike was really worth and now I am back to the GS. I think I am going to stick with it so I can learn though, and this forum is really helpful. 

[06GSF]

Man I love this forum... Learn new stuff all the time!  I've tightened mine on the center stand (believe it or not, that is how the Suzuki tech told me how to do it before I left the dealer with it!).  After leaving with the bike from the dealer after it's first servicing, I now know they will never see my bike again!  It took me a week to undo what they screwed up and get my bike back to running like I'm comfortable with it!

[ben2go]

I wanna clearly state this.There should be a nice little flat on the end of the sprocket teeth.Front or rear doesn't matter.If they are starting to get a point on them they need to be replaced or else the chain will start slipping on the sprockets.

I didn't see where anyone posted this.

[08GSSteve]

Hmm thanks for that will give it a go.

Have also been instructed over the years by mechanics to use center stand.

Thanks for the advice

[ben2go]

Hmm thanks for that will give it a go.

Have also been instructed over the years by mechanics to use center stand.

Thanks for the advice

When you adjust a chain on the center stand,then put the back wheel on the ground with weight on it,the chain will tighten considerably.I learned this the hard way.After a trip around the block my wheel was twisted sideways from the chain pulling the wheel forward.I ask here about it and that's how I found out.

[08GSSteve]

Yea I understand the theory now behind the side stand VS center stand.

I use to adjust slack on center stand (20 to 30mm) as per normal then bump bike off center and sit on the bike.  i would then lean down and feel chain tension.  roll bike through entire length and check for the tight spot.

[the mole]

Looking at the picture of your chain, some of the links are sitting a little twisted (ie. not in line with the rest), and it looks very dry. I'd suggest it hasn't been oiled in a while and it will die really fast like that. There's plenty of info online about cleaning and oiling chains so I won't start that discussion again!
Cheers, David.