Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Chain adjustment quiz

Do I adjust the chain using the "dots" hammered in the swingarm or do I adjust after the acctuall "end" of the swingarm

You can use the dots as a rough reference, or guide, but I find it hard to believe I would be very accurate that way, in terms of rear wheel alignment.

After replacing my chain and both sprockets, I ran both adjustment screws all the way out (in?), and then counted the turns as I lenghthened the swingarm back out. The snap rings just in front of (or behind - looking from the rear) the chain adjustment bolt heads make a good reference for counting turns - easy to see.

Once I had the chain tension where I wanted it, as I adjust for stretch later I just count the revolutions (or parts thereof) of those snap rings. A quarter turn can mean a lot in terms of chain tension.

Use the dots, but you can turn the screws and not see much movement in respect to the dots alone.

My two cents.

I count # of exposed threads. works for me.

I don't rely on the marks but I figure the ends of my swingarm legs are equally long and the adjuster pieces (the ones with the sawtooth marks and adjuster bolts in them) are also equally the same so I use a ruler and measure from the back end of the swingarm to the rear side of the adjuster. If these measurements are the same, I figure my rear wheel is aligned. Hasn't let me down yet...

you can also use a dial caliper.

I use GPS

GPS? are you making fun of the dial caliper??? you can spin it around & use the little wire for a depth gauge. try it it works.

I bought a Motion Pro chain alignment tool, properly aligned is 1 complete notch off on my bike. Chain much quieter now.

I know Yota. I wasn't busting on that,I'm sure thats a good method just joking in general. The marks on my bike are very close actually I use a tape measure from fix frame point to axle center. But since my marks are so close don't need to anymore.

I like Lonzo use the Motion Pro chain alignment tool and have had good luck with it. I double checked the alignment using a depth gauge (From my router table) and found it to be dead on,
the notches on mine were not equal either. Chain is much Quieter now!