Hi everyone,

Firstly, I'm new here, so hello!  I've had a lot of great info from reading this forum, but was unable to find what I need so I'm making my first post...

I left the stupid wheel lock on (it's not stupid, I am)...and bent the bolt on my chain adjuster.

I have a replacement on the way...for £50, but it was that or wait until New Year for second hand.  But, a few questions, please.

1). How do I replace this?  I assume I have to remove the back wheel altogether...at least, take the axle out?  I'm a total noob....and I'm nervous!  I couldn't find any walkthrough on the site.

2). My chain is too tight.  On the sidestand it has about .5/.7 inches of play, but should be about an inch (if I push it up from the middle).  I've had the bike three months...I assume it has always been a bit too tight, but I didn't realise.  Still...now I know...is it okay to ride?  Because...

3). Until I replace the part in the pic...I can't adjust the chain.  I believe that to loosen the chain I need to turn the nut anti-clockwise..(against the bend in the bolt in the picture).  I might get half a turn out of this bolt which may be enough...do you think I should?  Would the bolt snap?

Thanks for any help...

Chris

Welcome!

I would try to bend the bolt straight again, or at least straight enough to be able to undo the nut a bit so you can adjust the chain. Hold a piece of wood (long enough so you can hold it in position with one hand) on top of the bolt and use a heavy hammer - 4lb should do, and hit the top of the wood block a few times. Not so hard that you bend it right off in one blow. A little at a time would be best.

£50 for a new one?
Wait till the new year?

Someone is having your pants down!! 

Get a Haynes manual too........and look at section 6:15.


Looks like the link isnt working.........try this... https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2487249.m570.l1313&_nkw=gs500e+chain+adjuster&_sacat=0

Quote from: sledge on December 22, 2021, 01:48:37 PM
£50 for a new one?
Wait till the new year?

Someone is having your pants down!! 

Get a Haynes manual too........and look at section 6:15.


Looks like the link isnt working.........try this... https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2487249.m570.l1313&_nkw=gs500e+chain+adjuster&_sacat=0

Ha, yeah, I know...a tenner on eBay...second hand....but a long wait....I was impatient, but I may return the new one I bought.  Just keen to use the only holiday time I have to go on some rides, darn it. 

But thanks...I will get a Haynes manual...that will be a Christmas money purchase, I think.

Quote from: SK Racing on December 22, 2021, 11:57:08 AM
Welcome!

I would try to bend the bolt straight again, or at least straight enough to be able to undo the nut a bit so you can adjust the chain. Hold a piece of wood (long enough so you can hold it in position with one hand) on top of the bolt and use a heavy hammer - 4lb should do, and hit the top of the wood block a few times. Not so hard that you bend it right off in one blow. A little at a time would be best.

Thanks...I don't know if I could do this with the exhaust in the way, but I'll give it a shot...if it means I can loosen the chain a bit, happy days.

You may have to hacksaw off the bent part to get the bolt off. Be careful if you go the hammer route. You need to remove the nut and the axel to replace that part.

Chain too lose is better than too tight.

Alternatively lock a few nuts against each other on the thread to protect the thread and then use a tube to bend it straight or else a vice grip type lucking pliers.

Too tight is bad, chews up your bearings.

Sooo....thank you everyone....

An update...I was able to loosen the chain using the adjusters...even the bent one allowed enough turns so that I now have an inch chain slack, measured from near the centre stand, when it is up.  I have an inch from a low to high measurement, which is correct...I rolled the bike back and forth and remeasured...it seemed pretty consistent.  I figure that as long as the chain is adjusted well, I can ride it...and I can take my time getting a cheaper, second hand adjuster...have returned the £50 one!  I tightened the axle to 50lbs...as I believe is in spec??  I then remeasured the chain and it made it tighter (why?) but I repeated it all, tightened the axle and it's a good slack now.

The last part of this job is to ensure I had the wheel aligned after adjustment...(I did the same amount of turns on the nuts, but...yeah).  I measured from the centre of the swingarm pivot cap to the centre of the axle nut, on each side.  It measured the same, although measuring alongside the exhaust was awkward.  I went for a little ride and (apart from judders that I think were my imagination) it seemed fine.

However....the adjuster plate on the right side is loose.  Should I be worried?

Here's a vid of it (in a Google Drive link).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bgNNR4CV5mq8qn9Zi2v1MAP73Btwrei3/view?usp=sharing

In my mind it indicated that the right side of the wheel should move forward....to make it snug. 

But so far....thanks so much for all the info and advice...I did take advice on avoid riding while the chain was tight...and this has all saved me money too!  Thanks!