I had my bike up on centerstand, turning the rear wheel.. then I noticed, that it looks like the chain actually RESTS on the rear fork, at the midpoint?
Is that expected?!?
THere seems to be a slightly raised.. idontknowwhat... sitting on the fork/arm/whateverit is, at the parts where the chain contacts it. So it seems to be "normal".. but thought I'd ask?

Check it again when its on the kick stand. I bet it's not touching the swingarm then. If it is still touching, your chain needs adjusted.

I think under no circumstances the chain should touch the swingarm at its mid-point or so.
Seems definitely loose to me. Do check your freeplay.

Wel.. THAT's interesting. It is still resting on there.

Now the good news is, when I actually SIT on the bike, it has about 1cm of clearance (maybe less :-} )

but on the side stand... nope, a little bit is touching.

How can this even be adjusted??
(The chain is NOT loose: it has quite a bit of tension. So this isnt a "sag" problem)

Please note that the point it touches, is waay up near the "front". It's just above that big-old crossbeam in the middle of the frame.

Did you change the shock or links? If not standard 11.5" shock or links, then the swing arm position is different. Other that have made those changes will tell you the correct measurements. (All my bikes are stock.)

Quote from: Phil B on November 04, 2011, 01:04:19 PM
Wel.. THAT's interesting. It is still resting on there.

Now the good news is, when I actually SIT on the bike, it has about 1cm of clearance (maybe less :-} )

but on the side stand... nope, a little bit is touching.

How can this even be adjusted??
(The chain is NOT loose: it has quite a bit of tension. So this isnt a "sag" problem)

Please note that the point it touches, is waay up near the "front". It's just above that big-old crossbeam in the middle of the frame.

Phil...check chain tension.....with bike on side stand, no rider on bike....at mid point of chain, you should be able to deflect le lower chain about 1"    plus or minus 0.2"

There is actually a plastic "Chain Guide" near the front on top of the swing arm which the chain will sometimes ride on......chains should not touch or ride on the metal of the frame.

Cookie

I've noticed that before as well.  I don't know about yours, but mine has a thick rubber "plate" that covers the swing arm at the point at which it contacts the chain, so that tells me that Suzuki knows that it contacts/rests there and provides the plate to keep metal on metal contact from happening.  It's hard to sit on your bike and look at that point at the same time, but my guess is that between the riders' weight and tension on the chain when in gear, these combine to lift the chain enough to keep it off of the swing arm.  If not, I'm sure we'd all be hearing the sound of the chain grinding against the swing arm!

That black plastic thing is a chain guide. It helps guide the chain onto the front sprocket. The chain will ride in the groves on the chain guide.

Quote from: adidasguy on November 04, 2011, 02:12:02 PM
That black plastic thing is a chain guide. It helps guide the chain onto the front sprocket. The chain will ride in the groves on the chain guide.

So then it is designed to contact there; is that what you are saying?

Yes - there should be some contact at the front of the chain guard. There should be no contact with the metal of the swing arm.

Without the chain guide, the chain could flop left and right - not going on to the front sprocket straight and causing excessive wear. The chain guide lines up the chain with the front sprocket.

Yeah, it's normal for the chain to rest on the chain guard. So long as the tension is correct, I wouldn't worry about it. When you sit on the bike, you'll tend to pull some of the slack out, and under acceleration all the slack is pulled out of the top of the chain, and you shouldn't be resting on the guard. Under engine braking, the bottom of the chain is tensioned, so there isn't a lot of pressure or wear on the chain guide.

Quote from: twocool on November 04, 2011, 02:00:52 PM

There is actually a plastic "Chain Guide" near the front on top of the swing arm which the chain will sometimes ride on......chains should not touch or ride on the metal of the frame.

yeah that sounds like it could be it.
It's basically a 1mm high strip of (black stuff) on top of the metal swingarm thingie. I saw it, and thought it might be something like that. but wasnt sure if it was "official" or not.

for what it's worth, for the info of the other good people replying, mine is a 2006 gs500. Maybe not all models have this.

btw the chain still only has about half an inch of free play at the bottom.

*I* did not change shocks or links. however, I got this second hand, from a dealer, and did not get to talk to original owner.

The two "links"(aka "dogbones?) on either side of the shock, are 8.25 inches from tip to tip.

Most bikes with a chain have a chain guide. Certainly all the GS500s do.

Close Up...



See how the Middle is slightly higher so the outside edges of the chain are on both sides of the raised middle piece, and thus the chain is guided. 

Michael

Chain guide on a swing arm:


Close up of the guide:

Quote from: Phil B on November 04, 2011, 05:10:32 PM

Quote from: twocool on November 04, 2011, 02:00:52 PM

There is actually a plastic "Chain Guide" near the front on top of the swing arm which the chain will sometimes ride on......chains should not touch or ride on the metal of the frame.

yeah that sounds like it could be it.
It's basically a 1mm high strip of (black stuff) on top of the metal swingarm thingie. I saw it, and thought it might be something like that. but wasnt sure if it was "official" or not.

for what it's worth, for the info of the other good people replying, mine is a 2006 gs500. Maybe not all models have this.

btw the chain still only has about half an inch of free play at the bottom.

*I* did not change shocks or links. however, I got this second hand, from a dealer, and did not get to talk to original owner.

The two "links"(aka "dogbones?) on either side of the shock, are 8.25 inches from tip to tip.

1/2" of chain play is far too little!!!  When you put drivers's weight, plus go over rough terrain....this slack comes out......too little slack= too much tension of chain.....all slack will come out and you're overstressing everything...no good...

Chain needs some slack....

Should be 1" up and down play with bike on sidestand and no rider....(0.8"  to 1.2" is tolarance)

Cookie

^^^^ Unless dog bones or shock have been changed. Then you'll have to figure out the appropriate slack on your own.