Do you know how to tighten your motorbike chain? We tell you step by step how to do it so that you can keep your vehicle in the best conditions.
Tightening the motorbike chain is a simple maintenance task that is very necessary to be able to ride safely. It is a task that you can do at home and does not require special tools. We tell you how to do it step by step.
The motorbike chain must always have the right tension, if it is loose it can cause problems in the vehicle and cause the transmission to not work as it should and it can even come off.
This element is subject to continuous wear and tear, which causes the links to separate, causing the chain to stretch. For this reason, it is important to tension it from time to time and take proper care of it.
Tightening the motorbike chain step by step
The motorbike chain must always have a certain amount of slack in order to function normally. This is usually between one and three centimetres and depends on the manufacturer’s specifications. In order to establish this, you must measure it from the central point of the chain. Once you have this data and the corresponding data for the tensioning system, you can start the process.
Types of tensioners
It is important to know what type of tensioners your bike has in order to be able to carry out the work. Nowadays you can find two main types:
Eccentric system: it has two Allen type screws, which hold one disc per tensioner. The axle can move backwards and forwards, it is the least used, but it is very common in classic motorbikes from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Bolt and nut system: the rear wheel has an axle which is pushed by a bolt. It is the most commonly used today and can be fitted to either the front or rear axle.
Both have a locknut system which causes the tensioners to wear excessively and the chain to become slack due to wear.
Tools
- Allen spanners
- Spanner spanners
- Ratchet
- Motorbike stand
Once we have all the necessary tools, we can start the process of tightening the chain.
Position the bike
Raise the rear wheel of the bike using a bike stand. Then loosen the axle of the rear wheel so that the tensioners can move backwards correctly.
Use the turnbuckle
Once the wheel is up and the axle is clamped you should start using the chain tensioner to tighten the chain.
Eccentric tensioners: in this case you only have to turn them to tighten the chain. If it has toothed discs, these should be loosened using an Allen key, which will help to tighten the chain. Then tighten the bolts again.
Eccentric tensioners on the rear axle: in this case you will have to loosen the bolts on the sides of the swingarm. Use a spanner to move the tensioner and place it in the correct position for the chain. When you have finished, both tensioners should be in the same position.
Nut or bolt systems: you must loosen the lock nuts and tighten the tensioner to put the chain in place. When finished, both should be in the same position. Check that the wheel is straight and does not turn to either side.
Tighten the bolts
When the chain is tensioned, you should retighten all bolts, the rear wheel axle and any nuts and locknuts you have loosened to check that they are secure.
Clean and grease the chain
After checking that the chain tension is correct, clean and grease the chain to ensure that it runs smoothly. This will ensure a smoother ride and proper maintenance of this part of the bike.
What can an incorrectly adjusted chain cause?
When the motorbike chain has been worn and stretched, it can cause excessive movement that results in the loss of its position and the consequent wear on the sprocket and the attack sprocket. If the wear is too great, it is necessary to replace it together with the sprocket and crown wheel to avoid uneven operation.