Alright guys,

I adjusted the chain some times now on the XT660Z. It is quite easy and done it many times, however I used to drive a ninja , on this bike the play upwards and downwards to check was 25mm ish. Now with the XT660Z they say 5 0mm in my Haynes manual. I adjust it but when I want to check if it is fine, I can't.

I take the middle point ( lowest point ) between the front and rear sprocket. I push the chain down fully and start measurement. I pull it up and measure the distance. I then adjust it to normally around 50 mm max. Now everytime I adjust I cannot measure it properly because the chain hits my swing arm. So how do you guys measure ? 50 mm play is too much to actually check for me, so I just do it on sight ( don't let it hang to tight or to lose and check with running it on a stand manually ).

thanks !

Im assuming you are refering to a XT660?..The owners manual states the drive chain slack is between 40mm-55mm..

Yes and againe I regulate it on 50 mm It is a mistyping I'm afraid to say. So I arrange it on 50 mm and then I can still not check if it is OK since when I push the chain up it hits the swingarm everytime .. so How to regulate it then ?

Are you adjusting the chain when its on the side stand?..

Does that make a difference? I always use my bike lift I'd never thought about it being different on the side stand.

I adopted Darkhelmets method of chain adjustment which works very well to help get the feel of it. Helps if you have a centre stand or axle stands under the footpegs to support the bike with the rear wheel off the ground though.
What you do is take the bolt out of the dogbones to the swingarm, so can move freely up & down, then support the swingarm preferably with a jack. Then raise it until the centre of the front sprocket, swingarm pivot bolt , & rear axle are all in a alignment. Check that the chain has a small amount of play, also turn the wheel checking for tight spots.
It is a bit of a performance so only mainly do it if I've just had the wheel off for a tyre or something & my tools are out all over the floor anyway.