[AudrEEz]

i was lubing my chain the other day and it seemed a little loose, can somebody tell me how much slack i need to have on ex500 and do i measure it on the centerstand or with somebody on the bike? since there might be a difference. and maybe other chain adjustment things i would need to know to tighten it properly.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

im sure someone will chime in with the exact parameters, but im pretty sure its in the manual and its a couple mm +/-

 

[knightslugger]

35 ~ 40 mm of slack or 1" ~1.5"

i think. damn it, haveing a hard time finding the book numbers...

**edit**
looking at the cache of EX500Riders.com that's what i found^

so 1" - 1.5" for chain slack.

 

[fog]

With the bike up on the center stand. Measure the total deflection of the chain in the center of the bottom run @ 35- 40 mm or 1.377- 1.574"

FOg

 

[heffay]

FOG might disagree but, as a mechanic, i would never encourage someone to adjust chain slack on the sidestand or centerstand.

The only proper way is to adjust with the weight of the rider on the bike. tension can change drastically from the difference of rider vs. no rider.

 

[fog]

Not only do I disagree Kawasaki does too, My specs come verbatum from K's factory manual.
Aperently they considered all the conditions.

I would add though that the measurments should be done at the tightest place. Check the slack and turn the wheel to several places and find the least amout of slack then take the measurment and make the adjustment there.

FOG

 

[heffay]

yep... the ominous FOG has ALWAYS got to be in disagreement.

hey guys... let me reiterate... don't adjust your chains without the weight of the rider! it's asking for trouble and maybe it will bite FOG in the ass someday. hopefully others will be smarter.

 

[Administrator]

Kawasaki EX-500 manual, p. 92


Chain Slack Inspection
-Set the motorcycle up on its center stand
blah, blah..

Rotate rear wheel to find position where chain is tightest, adjust as needed for 35-40 mm (1.4-1.6 inches) midway between sprockets.

Considering that preload is set to compensate for rider weight, rider weight should be a none issue.

 

[AudrEEz]

thanks a lot, i'll go check it out right now.

AudrEEz

 

[madd-dogg11]

maybe a write up on how to tighten the chain ? ;D

 

[Guest]

The 1-1.5" adjustment takes into account and average weight of rider. Hell if I know what this weight is. As long as it is done at the tight spot in the chain. IT WILL NOT bite you in the ass. Not checking your chain to see if it stretched periodically will on the other hand.

 

[bitzz]

The riders weight doesn't matter IF the sag is set correctly.

 

[Guest]

maybe a write up on how to tighten the chain ? ;D

Next time I adjust my chain I'll try to remember to do this. I'm also going to try to do an "How to Change your Oil" write up too, cause I know there are people who are still afraid to change their own oil lurking around here!


(Oh, and if the manual says its okay to put the bike on the side or centre stand, I'm sure it is - they are highly paid, experienced engineers who come up with these things...)

 

[FazerDude]

Tension is set with the bike on the stand so that you have a consistant point every time. The slack measure in the manual ensures that the chain is never too tight or to loose throught the travel of the suspension, so even if the preload is not set correctly, the chain should still be fine.

 

[anglersken]

maybe a write up on how to tighten the chain ? ;D

i second this, first service time has passed and I still haven't brought my bike in, I need to get the stuff done on my own but have never tension'd a chain before. write up? anyone? please? oh dont make me beg!