Hitchcocks Forum

Some advice please regarding the correct drive chain tension. I was getting some strange noises random clicking and clunking at low speeds from my new GT, my dealer was unable to find the problem although they could also hear it at the first service. I am sure this is due to an over tight rear chain and have now reset it while sitting on the bike rather than whilst on its stand and I think this has improved things. I am also starting to think the rear wheel was incorrectly aligned. Looking at the two small windows/slots in the swinging arm, they are of different lengths. At the moment I have set the rear wheel by setting the adjuster threads to the same length from the swinging arm rear. Should I be using the marked lines though near the rear spindle, if sow how ?

Hi, Billy. There is a fairly recent thread on the forum about just this subject, and with a nod to those who know, it would seem prudent to ignore the scribed lines or perceived length of adjuster thread and use the time honoured strip of wood or taught string to correctly align the front and rear wheel at the same time. A quick search should find the thread. Best Regards, Chris.

Thanks for your suggestion Chris, I will give the straight edge/string a try. I have found the chain needs to be set really slack when on he stand to give 25mm of movement and on the road with my weight on it but it seems to have stopped the noise.

If the dealer can't even adjust your chain?, I despair.

Some people have a couple of 6ft straight edges lurking in the kitchen without even realising it.
They're also known as kick boards

It's not supposed to have 25mm of slack when your sitting on it, that's the measurement on the centre stand.

Hi Haggis, with 25 to 30 mm slack when on center stand the chain is as tight as a drum when off the stand. This I am sure would soon damage chain, sprockets and possibly the gearbox bearing. Adjusted as per the owners manual was causing random clunks coming from the front sprocket area. After looking on various internet sights for information regarding chain tension, it seems most people feel the correct way is when the bike is on it's wheels with a rider sitting on it. The only thng I can think is the the radial movement on the GTs swing arm differs from other Indian Enfield models, where when off the stand the chain still has some slack but they haven't updated the owner manual for the GT.

Hello - my ElectraX had exactly the same problem. I always adjusted it with weight in. Eventually persuaded the MOT Tester this was right too!

Stephen

I always adjust my chains ( CGT AND BULLET )to the 25 30 mm setting while on the main stand. then take bike off stand and check tension while sitting on bike, and I always find the chain is to tight, and have to re-adjust chain tension to suit my weight, never had a problem using this method. If you are getting some noise at low speed then might be good idea to remove chain and check back wheel turns ok, may be some stiff links in chain causing noise?.