I went outside to measure the distance on each side of my rear wheel by measuring the distance from the swingarm pivot cap to the adjusting bolt, and the muffler among other things are in the way. Is there something I'm missing here?

Quote from: SecondsFromTheFall on September 07, 2008, 11:09:43 AM
I went outside to measure the distance on each side of my rear wheel by measuring the distance from the swingarm pivot cap to the adjusting bolt, and the muffler among other things are in the way. Is there something I'm missing here?

yes.

please read this:

http://www.yamahafz1oa.com/sportryderswheelalignmentmethod.shtml

Wow that some maguyver sh!t right there! Also, How will I know if my bike's alignment is off/chain is binding from being too tight on any one spot while driving? Thanks!

Quote from: SecondsFromTheFall on September 07, 2008, 01:14:43 PM
Wow that some maguyver sh!t right there! Also, How will I know if my bike's alignment is off/chain is binding from being too tight on any one spot while driving? Thanks!

the string thing is the easiest way to assure that both wheels are in line with each other, yep. if the frame is bent, your wheels are still aligned. if the swing arm is bent, yep, still aligned. etc.

if your alignment is off, the string will tell.

if your chain has tight SPOTS, you need a new chain and front cog. the rear will stay, provided it's not 'shark-toothed'.

the factory spec for chain slack at it's loosest point is 7/8" - 1 1/4" slack. simply hold a ruler against the swingarm (or ground/whatever) so it's stable.

you should check the chain in 5-10 places to make sure it's not worn / tight in one spot and not another

the  'mcgyver' string thing is tried, true, simple. you can even carry all the tools needed for long trips.

good luck !

I'm hearing a noise from what sounds like my front sprocket area. It's almost like a growl when I'm slowing down to a stop in first. Its not constant, it comes in an out, and I don't remember hearing it before. Does this sound like my rear wheel isnt aligned? Chain to tight? Any thoughs?

Quote from: SecondsFromTheFall on September 07, 2008, 03:14:06 PM
I'm hearing a noise from what sounds like my front sprocket area. It's almost like a growl when I'm slowing down to a stop in first. Its not constant, it comes in an out, and I don't remember hearing it before. Does this sound like my rear wheel isnt aligned? Chain to tight? Any thoughs?

chain too loose is more like it. the occasional grinding is most likely the chain's excessive slack during engine braking (all the slack is on the TOP portion of the chain) causing the links to SLAM into the front cog. remember, you simply cannot push a rope !

having the chain excessively loose will cause all kinds of racket, wear it out prematurely, and possibly cause a crash.

out of alignment will cause a constant growl -when- the chain has torque applied either through acceleration or engine braking. it will also wear out a chain quick.

you may actually be chewing away at your clutch doo-hickey (i don't know the proper name of the part that changes linear movement to rotational movement, sorry) as the front cog wiggles all over, and the chain beats it to death.

remember, if the chain goes at speed ( or not, doesn't matter ) it can take your tire, wheel, swing-arm, LEG, ASS or anything in the general area of it radially. should you be in a turn, or about to turn, it could cause a nasty spill.

i'm leaning towards a loose chain from your description.

if you're not confident with tackling the chain adjustment from the tutorial link i posted, get a shop to check it out.

when it's adjusted properly, you'll immediately notice it being smoother to accell/decell, quieter (as a chain can be anyway) and your manly/womanly parts will stay intact a good deal longer.

get it fixed !

Well before I adjusted my chain before yesterday, it was ALOT looser. Like, dangerously loose. It didnt make this noise. It does shift alot smoother and the ride is smoother all the way around, just whenever I'm about to stop I hear that "growl".

Bump

Quote from: SecondsFromTheFall on September 08, 2008, 07:53:56 AM
Well before I adjusted my chain before yesterday, it was ALOT looser. Like, dangerously loose. It didnt make this noise. It does shift alot smoother and the ride is smoother all the way around, just whenever I'm about to stop I hear that "growl".

are you certain that's your chain and not one of your brake discs ? my front disc will whine after heavy application. it's consistant, repeatable, and not something i worry about.

growl/whine/groan/grind <---- which one sounds the most like yours, and are you certain from the chain area ?

could be your chain is just plain -shot- and in need of replacement.

I thought about the brakes too, seems like to big of a coincidence that my brake pads would wear down right after adjusting my chain. The chain could very well be just plain shot. No money to replace it now though, maybe later this year.

Well I figured I'd go ahead and try the linkn above and do it myself and I failed...f*cking miserably. If anything I just made sh!t WAY WAY worse so I guess Im paying for some @$$hole to do it for me. I love it.

Quote from: SecondsFromTheFall on September 23, 2008, 02:54:52 PM
Well I figured I'd go ahead and try the linkn above and do it myself and I failed...f*cking miserably. If anything I just made sh!t WAY WAY worse so I guess Im paying for some @$$hole to do it for me. I love it.

where are you located ? there is a gstwin nearby most likely. usually twinners lke to get together and wrench/ learn.