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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Bravo Delta on June 28, 2015, 01:31:33 PM

Title: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: Bravo Delta on June 28, 2015, 01:31:33 PM
So i recently bought a 09 gs500f and the chain needed tightening, so i at first being a novice started the process on the center stand. cleaning and lubing the chain. Then while still on the center stand i loosened the nut on the right side of the bike to tighten the chain up i tighend up the chain side first then the brake side. after that i tightend up the chain side nut and during the test ride i now have a weird noise from the rear wheel area...

any ideas?

thanks in advance for any help!
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: akapellen17 on June 28, 2015, 02:18:31 PM
Chain adjustments need to be done on the side stand. Your chain is probably too tight. Also check to make sure your wheel is properly aligned. The marks on the swingarm are basically useless
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: Bravo Delta on June 28, 2015, 02:30:47 PM
I did go back and adjust it on the side stand, the little notches on the swing arm are all lined up. Is there another wayto better align it?

Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: Big Rich on June 28, 2015, 05:12:31 PM
Well, there's the string method which is the most accurate way that I know of. It's a little much to type out for me, but a Google search would yield some results. Or you can take a tape measure and measure the distance from the center of the axle to the center of the swingarm pivot bolt. Measure the left and right side - they should be the same distance.
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: dk31285 on June 28, 2015, 06:31:04 PM
When I was adjusting mine, I hit a point where I had lost proper alignment.  I found the string method and started to try it, but personally I ran into the issue of getting the string from rear to front without getting caught up on anything, especially the fairings...  I counted threads on the adjusters and put them to the same spot.  It may not be a perfect (or recommended?) alignment procedure, but when I had them even and tightened her up, she rode and handled perfect.
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: Slack on June 29, 2015, 04:45:03 AM
Quote from: dk31285 on June 28, 2015, 06:31:04 PM
When I was adjusting mine, I hit a point where I had lost proper alignment.  I found the string method and started to try it, but personally I ran into the issue of getting the string from rear to front without getting caught up on anything, especially the fairings...  I counted threads on the adjusters and put them to the same spot.  It may not be a perfect (or recommended?) alignment procedure, but when I had them even and tightened her up, she rode and handled perfect.

The string only has to be about 4 inches off the ground. You'll need a mate to hold the bike upright to keep the stands out of the way.
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: The Buddha on June 29, 2015, 05:58:49 AM
Chain adjustment is done on center stand. You can manage on the side stand, but rear wheel being spinnable is useful. String, straight plastic piece etc etc ... can be used to check it.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: Bravo Delta on June 29, 2015, 08:28:15 PM
when adjusting the chain tension the brake side adjustor doesn't want to move while im loosening it. It will move if I tighten it, but not when I loosen it. I loosened the chain side first if that makes a difference.
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: HPP8140 on June 30, 2015, 01:51:50 PM
Quote from: Bravo Delta on June 29, 2015, 08:28:15 PM
when adjusting the chain tension the brake side adjustor doesn't want to move while im loosening it. It will move if I tighten it, but not when I loosen it. I loosened the chain side first if that makes a difference.

Normal. Kick the wheel back.
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: cWj on June 30, 2015, 04:24:46 PM
Check chain tension on the sidestand.

Adjust chain tension on the center stand.

It might sound tedious, but practice getting up onto the center stand is a good thing. Once you're used to it, the alternating while you check/adjust is no big thing.

Some people count adjuster threads. I measure the bolt. This is admittedly imperfect, but every method is. If I'm feeling unsure about it, I'll measure from axle to swingarm pivot. Since getting an O-ring chain I haven't found myself adjusting much anyway.
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: akapellen17 on June 30, 2015, 11:21:56 PM
I'm sorry. I should have been more clear. You check it on the side stand not adjust it there. I'm sorry if I caused any confusion! I didn't really think that one through when I posted it!
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: damo2211 on July 01, 2015, 02:54:46 AM
Quote from: Slack on June 29, 2015, 04:45:03 AM
Quote from: dk31285 on June 28, 2015, 06:31:04 PM
When I was adjusting mine, I hit a point where I had lost proper alignment.  I found the string method and started to try it, but personally I ran into the issue of getting the string from rear to front without getting caught up on anything, especially the fairings...  I counted threads on the adjusters and put them to the same spot.  It may not be a perfect (or recommended?) alignment procedure, but when I had them even and tightened her up, she rode and handled perfect.

The string only has to be about 4 inches off the ground. You'll need a mate to hold the bike upright to keep the stands out of the way.
I read in other forums aswell that some people measure the threads, i have done this when got new tyres for the bike around 15000kms ago and the wheels are straight with normal even wear.
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: baronduff on July 01, 2015, 04:11:47 AM
Just to eliminate the obvious, did you loosen off the axle? I've been in a rush before a ride and tried to adjust the chain tension without doing so :P
Title: Re: new to motorcycles, need some advice
Post by: matlt on July 01, 2015, 09:06:06 PM
Adjust tension on center stand. Check tension on side stand. Also, I check the tension while i'm sitting on it


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