Hi all,

Little bit confused about this so bear with me...

I come from a world of sports bikes where you can set the chain adjustment on a paddock stand. I'm having trouble setting the chain adjustment on the Tenere since it seems to change hugely depending upon wether or not I'm sat on the bike.

How am I supposed to judge the chain slack if I have to be sat on the bike?! Similarly, if I take a pillion or carry luggage, do I need to change the chain adjustment?

It all seems a little odd, so I'd appreciate some advice!

Thanks

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2011 XT660Z T�n�r� - Adventure Spec Bash Plate, OTR Enduro mud guard, Barkbusters with Storm guards, Renthal bars, Oxford Adventure hot grips, Metal Mule panniers, Metal Mule Top Box, Rotopax Water/Fuel cans, Metal Radiator Guard, Puig Screen, TKC80's, Fuel Mod, De-Cat exhaust, Chopped tail tidy

2003 YZR-R1 5PW (In Build) - Ex Virgin Racing Pete Beal built engine (fully rebuilt), Full Akrapovic Titanium System, Harris Rearsets, Custom Paint, Tall Screen, Power Commander

Funnily enough, this age old problem has recently been discussed in this thread.

The reason you're having trouble getting your head round it (coming from road bikes) is that motorcycles with long travel suspension need, what seems a ridiculous amount of slack when the suspension is extended so as to accommodate the progressive tightening as the shock is compressed and the swingarm moves towards the horizontal, in line with the drive sprocket axis (at its tightest point).

50mm of slack is generally about right for most with the bike on a centre stand, or with no load on the suspension. The exact slack will vary slightly depending on where you shock preload is and how much shock travel you're using. If you have lowering links it'll be different too as the swingarm will tend to sit nearer the horizontal for the bulk of the time the bike's moving, so perhaps need to make double sure it's not on the tight side. The main thing you want to avoid is it being too tight when the swingarm is horizontal, either when laden or carrying a pillion, but even without, as when you accelerate hard the suspension compresses just as much, plus the stresses on the chain are at their greatest.

Everyone has their own way of doing it. You've just got to find yours!

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Another way of doing it:

http://www.xt660.com/showpost.php?p=210885&postcount=24