Thank you for all of the advice, everyone. Now I just need to figure out what size chain that I need to get. 

Quote from: Xevamir on December 18, 2013, 07:44:42 AM
Thank you for all of the advice, everyone. Now I just need to figure out what size chain that I need to get. 

520 series, 110 links.

Quote from: sledge on December 16, 2013, 08:33:39 AM

All this `you must do this` and `you must do that` while on `this` stand means nothing unless you are average weight and have the shock set midrange.

I can put 20-30mm slack in my chain like the book says then if my mate who weighs at least 40-50lb more than me sits on it is the chain going to have the same tension? ......yeah sure it is 

So on that basis how can one single quoted figure for the required amount of slack suit everyone who is likely to ride the bike?.................answer, it cant. The slack needs to be set to suit the rider.

Set the chain so the slack is there when you are sat on the bike and have the shock set where you favour it. It doesn't matter how loose it is while parked up, its how tight it is in use that is important 

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your comment, but I'd assume the specified chain slack is such that it won't be over tight throughout the suspension's range of travel.  The average position of the suspension would vary according to rider weight, but the range of travel doesn't.  It would simply take less of a bump to bottom out with a heavy rider.

You aren't misunderstanding the comment; the original comment is flat-out wrong.

You need to have sufficient slack in the chain that the chain won't bind when the suspension bottoms out, but not so much slack that the chain grinds on the swingarm or comes off a sprocket when the suspension tops out.

These are the only real considerations for chain slack. You do not need to make any corrections to the OEM guidelines unless you're drag racing your GS, or you've significantly modified the suspension geometry.

Bless you, my friend.

Quote from: dinkydonuts on December 18, 2013, 08:14:47 AM

Quote from: Xevamir on December 18, 2013, 07:44:42 AM
Thank you for all of the advice, everyone. Now I just need to figure out what size chain that I need to get. 

520 series, 110 links.