690 Duke chain slack 0.2" ??

[NotoriousNick]

Hi,

Just wondering about the recommended level of chain-slack for this bike - manual says 0.2 inches. Seems awfully tight, though the dealer seems to have left more than an inch of slack on the chain (probably forgot to adjust it, duh!).

Is 0.2 inches correct?

Thanks.

[cbradford]

Take another look at the diagram......I was confused by this the first time I looked at it. The measurement they are taking is not actually chain slack. It's how far the chain should be from the swing arm once all the slack is taken up. I do typically keep my chain somewhat on the tight side because it keeps me from gettin beat to death when transitioning from throttle to coast. Makes riding much smoother. Almost 7k miles with no problems so far.

Originally Posted by NotoriousNick

Hi,

Just wondering about the recommended level of chain-slack for this bike - manual says 0.2 inches. Seems awfully tight, though the dealer seems to have left more than an inch of slack on the chain (probably forgot to adjust it, duh!).

Is 0.2 inches correct?

Thanks.

[NotoriousNick]

Originally Posted by cbradford

Take another look at the diagram......

You're right! I should have looked at it with my eyes open .

At least I won't have to make my chain as tight as a violin string now .

[letsburnbridges]

**** I've been keeping mine violin tight also hahaha, I'm retarded.

[Morpheous]

Yes, at first I missed it too, Dont let it run tight too long, it could eventually ruin your countershaft seal and bearing. (plus wear everything in the drive train out quicker, if not break the chain -which is never good!) Set it up like a dirt bike. 1.5-2in slack. You never want to unduly stress a chain or drive shaft.

[Danny_Two]

Yeah, its not very well explained in the manual, I just changed tyres and read it as 5mm slack which I knew must be wrong. Its 5mm away from the swingarm measured at the central vertical strut.

[Duke]

An old thread with a good point. Add another person to the list that interpeted the info in the manual the wrong way. It's an accurate way to adjust the chain. It's easier to judge the small space left between the chain and the gaurd then to measure the actual deflection of the chain. It's just that the way it is presented in the manual thats a bit confusing.

[lushbreaks83]

2 questions...

1. do you measure the 5mm from the flat part of the swing arm or the lip on the edge of it?

2. how much pressure should i put on the chain when measuring?

thanks

[Roadrogue]

The flat part of the swingarm.

Push hard enough that the top run of the chain goes tight. Do it at the designated spot. Fast and easy and accurate.

My sport bike friends all comment that my chain looks too loose. That's normal.