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[Exile]

Thanks Mike.. off to check it one more time..

[p]

I used a variation of Gwilly's method,which you only need to do once, plank on saddle, jack on plank, then strong web/rope over the top and looped either end of swinging arm. Move it up and down until you get very tightest on chain; adjust to zero and a tiny bit slack, then release and put bike on stand. Measure it again, write it on your garage wall, as this is the measurement you need to always use in future!

[neddy]

My method for many years and bikes is, on centrestand free load chain moves 1inch tightest spot, sorry to upset anyone, no problems for 35yrs

[Paulk]

Neddy, All bikes are different. It depends on the relationship of g/box sprocket, swingarm pivot and real axle. Sometimes depressing the suspension will tighten a chain and sometimes it will slacken it, and all of this can happen to various degrees with different alignments of the centres. It looks as if you've been lucky.

[Presto]

I'm with neddy here. Only I get the bike off the stand and allow about 1 1/4 inch total movement. Near 50 yrs with upteem bikes - no problems. Keep it well lubricated with good quality spray. (Don't bother with boiling oil!)
All the best!

[simon]

From all this you can glean that a bit loose isn't a problem but a bit tight is.

[Exile]

Well now, once you all got started, the advice just piled up. Thanks fellas, I learned a lot from this one simple question. I actually went back to the bike and slackened my adjustment slightly. I read somewhere else, that if it looks too loose, it's probably about right. Turns out, that is sage advice.

I've set it up as described in several places above with just under two inches of slack off the centre stand and if it all goes wrong, then it's down to me.

Thanks all.

[Alan R]

---- 2" of Slack ??--------- now there's a cue for a joke if ever there was !!

[PeteF]

If you get it a touch to slack it'll do no harm but your gear change will suffer.