And while it may be technically "fine" to adjust by eye on whichever stand you choose, to call the owner's manual recommended method BS doesn't necessarily help new bike owners gain any confidence. I'm just saying the people at Suzuki might just know a thing or two about he!ping to teach basic maintenance to a new bike owner. Hopefully by the time we've been on this earth and riding as long as some of the purported elder statesmen here, we can all do it by eye when and however we choose and know that it will be just fine.

I think that any Noobs reading this thread will be able to come to their own conclusions about chain adjusting, because all aspects where certainly covered...many more than once   

I don't recall using the term BS 



Suzuki quote a method in their handbook because................ they have to quote a method.

The same book says when the chain is worn NEVER use a jointed one, how many people in here stick to that rule?

Dunno about you but I weigh about 14st, what would happen to chain tension if someone who weighs 20st sat on the bike?

Tell you what........ you set your chain by the book, then swap it onto the other stand then come back and tell us how much difference in free-play there is and if its still within tolerance 

Quote from: sledge on May 28, 2016, 01:12:19 PM
I don't recall using the term BS 

That would be me, I am the Bad Monkey 

Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on May 28, 2016, 01:02:45 PM
I think that any Noobs reading this thread will be able to come to their own conclusions about chain adjusting, because all aspects where certainly covered...many more than once   

Dead right Steve,

I sometimes wonder how us old timers ever managed before chain alignment tools/lasers etc existed, and God only knows how we coped with bikes that didn't come with manuals or alignment marks on the swingers

I blame the internet, it takes all the fun and adventure out of bike maintenance, but in saying that, it does give plenty of other opportunitys to amuse!!

I'm beginning to remember why I stopped participating in this forum.

And for the record, I was speaking from experience that it does make a difference. But wtf do I know. I'm not an old timer.

So what's the noise?  Sounds to me like the clicking noise you get coasting down at low speeds in gear with a well worn front sprocket, the clicking of the chain releasing from the hooked sprocket teeth.

Quote from: jdoorn14 on May 28, 2016, 05:44:17 PM
I'm beginning to remember why I stopped participating in this forum.

And for the record, I was speaking from experience that it does make a difference. But wtf do I know. I'm not an old timer.

Have a breath bro! .. the old timers also suffer from a trichotomous condition. .. some things must be done by the book 'this way' , by the book 'that way' and finally 'their way' because its become a habit and easier from their perspective. .....

End of the day it doesn't matter if Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself adjusts the chain using Stephensons favorite ring spanner! .. so long as the chain tension is within specified limits and stays put then it's all Good!

Quote from: gsJack on May 28, 2016, 07:38:31 PM
So what's the noise?  Sounds to me like the clicking noise you get coasting down at low speeds in gear with a well worn front sprocket, the clicking of the chain releasing from the hooked sprocket teeth.

My thoughts also 

Macka

Chain click sound. . But so loud? ...

As a random thought. .  Can it be a false neutral?

Quote from: Janx101 on May 28, 2016, 10:28:17 PMHave a breath bro! .. the old timers also suffer from a trichotomous condition. .. some things must be done by the book 'this way' , by the book 'that way' and finally 'their way' because its become a habit and easier from their perspective. .....

End of the day it doesn't matter if Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself adjusts the chain using Stephensons favorite ring spanner! .. so long as the chain tension is within specified limits and stays put then it's all Good!

HEY YOU KIDS GET OFF OF MY LAWN!!!



I'm pretty sure side stand is in the manual because all bikes have one, and it has absolutely zero to do with the weight of the bike compressing the suspension. My WR250R with 10.6 inches of travel rests on the kick stand with the suspension fully extended with it's own weight.

Everybody run out and see if your GS sits on the kick stand with the rear suspension compressed to ANY degree, report back here with your findings, I sold mine 6 years ago so I can't

The noise does sound like a well worn CSS as mentioned before.

How about this....

Side Stand: 20-30 mm

Center Stand: 23-30 mm

Yay, lets go out for a ride!   

Now....Where did I park my bike??

... your bike? ... it's over there next to that tree.... no not that one. .  That! One! ... nooo to the left! ..  dang forest is getting in the way!

Thanks for all the advice (& spirited debate!)
I adjusted so measure is equal distance (rear axle from swing arm joint) and sound got much better. If it is a worn front sprocket, how do I diagnose?

Take off the sprocket cover and

Quote from: 1034am on May 29, 2016, 02:56:29 PM
Thanks for all the advice (& spirited debate!)
I adjusted so measure is equal distance (rear axle from swing arm joint) and sound got much better. If it is a worn front sprocket, how do I diagnose?

Worn sprockets are pretty easy to diagnose just by looking at them. The sprocket teeth will start looking hooked as they wear. For the front sprocket there's really no way to check without removing the clutch cover, so you're not getting out of removing that cover.


To the old timers: was my response correct this time?

Quote from: sledge on May 28, 2016, 01:20:59 PM
I blame the internet, it takes all the fun and adventure out of bike maintenance, but in saying that, it does give plenty of other opportunitys to amuse!!

The adventure is wading through the sea of questionable information and "expert" conjecture that is the MC community at large. Don't tell me that's not thrilling.

Quote from: jdoorn14 on May 29, 2016, 03:10:41 PMTo the old timers: was my response correct this time?

I'm not really a Dik, it all started when somebody here insisted that checking my oil on the center stand was "wrong", and it blew up from there 

Hang on now. We were talking about checking the oil?    By all means, use the center stand. 

Ha! You guys....
The front gear looks a little worn, so I'm replacing both front/rear & chain.
Any shortcuts to getting the old chain off?

Quote from: 1034am on May 30, 2016, 03:43:14 PM
Ha! You guys....
The front gear looks a little worn, so I'm replacing both front/rear & chain.
Any shortcuts to getting the old chain off?

Don't forget what it says in the handbook 

When you replace the chain ALWAYS use an endless one. NEVER use a jointed one.