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Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
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  #1  
Old 30 Oct 2013
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Quick Question: Chain slack

I installed a new DID 420 106 link xring chain on my 1990 a week or so ago. I've been running the chain on the looser side because if I set it according to the manual it looks too tight. I have it set on 3 with the adjusters and it's quite loose on the stand and upright but feels okay when riding (I can tell its a bit loose).

If I set the adjusters one click tighter and it's at the correct slack according to the manual, the chain seems way too tight when upright. Off the kickstand there is maybe a half inch of total deflection, and that's without a rider on it. Is that correct? Or should I just leave it loose?
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Old 30 Oct 2013
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The way I check mine is to sit on it and check the chain with my heel.

Maximum tightness happens when the swing arm is horizontal.

It took me quite a while to get used to how loose the right adjustment is.

I always err on the side of loose if I am between two clicks on the adjusters. Being too tight puts the output shaft bearing under extra stress.
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Old 30 Oct 2013
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You get wear on the sprockets and chain to with to tight chain, 3cm is perfect. You can actually hear on the sound when riding if to tight, but it doesnt take very long time before its not tight if you do some hard riding. I had to cut of one link on the chain.
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Old 31 Oct 2013
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You need more slack than the manual suggests, thats for sure.
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Old 31 Oct 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jens Eskildsen View Post
You need more slack than the manual suggests, thats for sure.
I dont agree, manual says 3-4cm. Cant see any reason running the bike with more.
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Old 31 Oct 2013
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Yeb, manual states something like that, unloaded.

Try to set the slack for that, unmount the rear shock, and move the swingarm up so the frot sprocketshaft, swingarm pivot, and rear axle is even (pretty much horizontal as I recall, where the chain is tightest) and the chain will be too tight. Or get the fat kid from the block to sit on the rear fender for a cheeseburger

Most streetbikes have 30-40mm chainslack spec'd. Our bikes have suspension with more travel. My brothers ninja250 should have between 35mm-45mm.

I'd say 40mm should be minimum on ours.
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