I am sorry for the extremely noob question, I just want to be clear on this. I have searched this forum and the internet and am confused. Actually another sight on the internet is probably the cause of the confusion.
when measuring the slack in the chain, you find aprox, the middle of the chain, lift it up firmly, hook the take measure on the TOP, then pull the chain down firmly and measure to the TOP of the chain again right? and that should be 1-1.25 inches right?
another sight I looked at seemed to be measuring the top one time and the bottom the next. and another one was measuring it from a rest to the top, and on and on.
I always turn the rear wheel until the chain is at the tightest point (before adjusting) and then measure the slack in the middle of the lower run. About 1.5" of movement without forcing it should do ya.
my understanding.
Find the tightest spot.
Put on side stand
Measure aproximately in the middle of the two sprockets
ours is 20mm to 35mm.
It only makes sense to choose either the top of the chain link or bottom to start and measure at the same spot of the chain link when it goes up.
i use my big toe. on my right foot, cause my left foot is awkward to see in this position.
when it seems slack, adjust. lube it. lube it again. wipe off excess. enjoy.