Adjusting your chain

WhiteKnight · 08-05-2006, 10:29 AM

Adjusting the chain on your VFR is pretty straight forward and simple. First, take out your toolkit. It has the necessary tool to adjust your chain. It is a a half moon shaped piece with a handle on it and a couple of teeth to fit it to the adjuster ring.

For ease of illustration, I removed my rear wheel for some of these pictures. The the transmission should be in neutral and the rear wheel should be on the ground for this procedure according to the service manual.

First, loosen the bolt to on the right side of the following picture. I believe it takes a 17mm socket and is torqued (at least on 3rd gen models, check local listings for your torque specs) to 40 ft-lbs.

After loosening the pinch bolt Place the spanner wrench on the onto the bearing holder.

bearing holder

Spanner wrench on bearing holder

Rotate the wrench clockwise to tighten the chain. Check tension. Slack should be .6 to 1 inch.

If you accidentally got it too tight, turn the wrench upside down and rotate the bearing counter-clockwise

After you have finished adjusting your chain, tighten the pinch bolt on torque to spec.

Your done! You have now adjusted your chain, you cna put your tools away and go wash up then hit the road.

hotwheels · 08-05-2006, 11:31 AM

Damn that thing is filthy. I didnt know they could get that caked up. Thanks for the pics and such.

jethro911 · 08-05-2006, 12:11 PM

It is a bit dirty but that must be because you have been lubricating it well and riding it alot!

Here is what one looks like when it isn't getting ridden and is cleaned too much. I call it a garage queen.

I would add simply that the tension should be set with an average load on the rear suspension so if that is 200lbs or one average rider, sit on it or have someone sit on it while you check the slack.

When I went through tech inspection to take the Star School, they were insistent that we all had adequate slack in the chain. I guess for most of us it is a habit to run the chain too tight.

I had a dyno run from my first VFR that showed the peak HP in each gear and it dropped off significantly as the rear wheel speed increased. The dyno operator was confident that it was simply a tight chain.

googus · 08-05-2006, 06:22 PM

You said it!! When it is dirty it shows that you lube it and ride your bike and not just wash it and look at it

Greg

vfrgrl · 04-10-2007, 10:23 AM

My '86VFR750 needs a new chain....I want to do it myself but have no clue how or what chain to get. Or should I just let my mechanic do it? Suggestions?? Comments??

BTW...on a scale of 1-10, I'd be a "4" mechanically.

Bubba Zanetti · 04-10-2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vfrgrl

My '86VFR750 needs a new chain....I want to do it myself but have no clue how or what chain to get. Or should I just let my mechanic do it? Suggestions?? Comments??

BTW...on a scale of 1-10, I'd be a "4" mechanically.

If you are a 4 on the mechanic scale...just pay your mechanic!

You'll be happier, riding sooner, and have someone to blame if they screw it up!

BZ

reg71 · 04-10-2007, 01:30 PM

I was gonna say the same thing about the chain being dirty. Thats what happens when you lube and ride... I get shit on here all the time about having a dirty bike, but my bike is rapidly nearing 50000 miles. In my defense, I like my bikes like I like my women: fast, sexy, and a little dirty when I ride 'em hard. ;)

WhiteKnight · 04-10-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reg71

I was gonna say the same thing about the chain being dirty. Thats what happens when you lube and ride... I get shit on here all the time about having a dirty bike, but my bike is rapidly nearing 50000 miles. In my defense, I like my bikes like I like my women: fast, sexy, and a little dirty when I ride 'em hard. ;)

lol
Well said reg.

RVFR · 04-10-2007, 04:18 PM

LOL you guys crack me up.. was going to say, whew thats a dirty one too, but you guys have all ready said it for me. Man, don't make me get a photo of how mine looks. :)

kitty · 08-11-2007, 06:14 PM

Thats great, we've been at a loss as to how to adjust the chain. Great that you have put in pics too. Nothing like a visual!

Kitty

speed · 08-11-2007, 07:50 PM

WOW! is that what that tool dose ? (ha ha)

dickman696 · 09-26-2007, 02:13 PM

Hey, Can someone help me figure out which spanner I need t buy to
adjust the chain on my 98 VFR?

#4 or #5?????

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit...OR/1998/389839

Shinigami · 10-02-2007, 10:40 AM

Number four, plus the "cheater bar" number 13, (though I didn't need it)- and don't forget the 17 mm wrench for the pinch bolt, OR preferably a torque wrench and socket, 54 foot-pounds for the retightening on a gen 6, check your manual for your specific gen.

lear 31a · 10-05-2007, 08:38 AM

Any advice on chain lube/cleaner.

nozzle · 10-05-2007, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lear 31a

Any advice on chain lube/cleaner.

Chain Lube ? & Beauty Contest

hotwheels · 10-05-2007, 01:51 PM

28,000 miles in a year and half and my bike is clean.

You can lube your chain, ride the bike hard and still have a clean machine.

lear 31a · 10-05-2007, 02:52 PM

Thanks, enjoyed the link.

nozzle · 02-08-2008, 03:47 PM

What do our Northern North American riders do in the cold, cold winter months you ask? NozzleNews brings you this evidence from a recent fact finding mission on the internet.....
chain.JPG
That is alot of Molson Canadian, patience, and airbrush time.

squirrelman · 02-08-2008, 05:59 PM

TENSION (slack) on a used chain should be checked at SEVERAL points as wheel is rotated and slack should be SET properly at the point where the chain is naturally tightest....
Used chains will be somewhat inconsistant as wheel is rotated.
Adjust the chain when it's cold (unridden) and lube the chain when it's hot.

NorcalBoy · 02-08-2008, 06:11 PM

The manual for my 6th Gen VFR indicates the chain should be adjusted when the bike is on the center stand....... Typically if a chain is getting loose, then tight, then loose when spinning the rear wheel - this indicates another problem.

mello dude · 02-08-2008, 08:21 PM

My 2 cents is its easier to check slack by kicking it into gear, pulling rearward on the top of the tire to put tension on the top part of the chain, and then checking slack in the middle on the bottom.

MD

mello dude · 02-08-2008, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nozzle

What do our Northern North American riders do in the cold, cold winter months you ask? NozzleNews brings you this evidence from a recent fact finding mission on the internet.....
Attachment 2342
That is alot of Molson Canadian, patience, and airbrush time.

Holy crap, nozzle! How many Molsons did it take to do that?

MD

nozzle · 02-09-2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mello dude

Holy crap, nozzle! How many Molsons did it take to do that?

MD

I don't recall where it was on the web, but the guy posted it was like 90 minutes with his airbrush...

speed · 02-09-2008, 10:35 AM

looks like alot of work to me ?

NorcalBoy · 02-09-2008, 11:21 AM

Holy freakin' tweaker project, Batman! I hope that not all Canadians are doing Crystal to get through the winter........

squirrelman · 02-09-2008, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorcalBoy

The manual for my 6th Gen VFR indicates the chain should be adjusted when the bike is on the center stand....... Typically if a chain is getting loose, then tight, then loose when spinning the rear wheel - this indicates another problem.

Right!

a cause of this can be poorly machined rear sprockets!

rabbipal · 04-28-2008, 12:42 PM

Awesome write-up. Thank you. I just did my chain yesterday. Took about 2 minutes total time (of course I read the article so I knew what to do. Without it, it would have taken my hours ... :-)). I want to second the other comment about leaving the side stand down even though u have it on the center stand .. my bike fell over twice (thankfully onto the side stand) during the turning of the bearing holder. The first time got me unawares but the 2nd time I was ready for .. u can kinda gauge how much of pressure it takes for turning it results in forward momentum causing the bike to fall of the center stand. Thanks again for an awesome article.

300shooter · 06-18-2008, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nozzle

What do our Northern North American riders do in the cold, cold winter months you ask? NozzleNews brings you this evidence from a recent fact finding mission on the internet.....
Attachment 2342
That is alot of Molson Canadian, patience, and airbrush time.

I knew us Canucks were a proud bunch and a bit off the wall but someone'd got waaaaaayy too much free time, should be hunting moose or deer at that time of year but I'm guessing it musta been beer:30 when this was done

hondawolf · 06-18-2008, 12:56 PM

Adjusting the chain is a nice and quick procedure, compared to some other bikes out there. Just replaced the chain on my 6th gen yesterday, that's a bit more work and time consuming. Didn't realize you need a special tool to flare the ends of the pins on the master link. I have a standard chain tool I use on my dirt bike, and it worked fine for removing my old chain, but had to take the bike down to my local bike shop to secure the master link.

FrankoQ · 06-18-2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabbipal

Awesome write-up. Thank you. I just did my chain yesterday. Took about 2 minutes total time (of course I read the article so I knew what to do. Without it, it would have taken my hours ... :-)). I want to second the other comment about leaving the side stand down even though u have it on the center stand .. my bike fell over twice (thankfully onto the side stand) during the turning of the bearing holder. The first time got me unawares but the 2nd time I was ready for .. u can kinda gauge how much of pressure it takes for turning it results in forward momentum causing the bike to fall of the center stand. Thanks again for an awesome article.

wow. that avatar gives me the creeps.

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08-05-2006, 10:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
WhiteKnight Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Last Online: 11-15-2009 04:33 PM Location: South Central Ky - Find Me! View my Photo Gallery Posts: 2,418 Thanks: 6 Thanked 30 Times in 28 Posts	Adjusting your chain Adjusting the chain on your VFR is pretty straight forward and simple. First, take out your toolkit. It has the necessary tool to adjust your chain. It is a a half moon shaped piece with a handle on it and a couple of teeth to fit it to the adjuster ring. For ease of illustration, I removed my rear wheel for some of these pictures. The the transmission should be in neutral and the rear wheel should be on the ground for this procedure according to the service manual. First, loosen the bolt to on the right side of the following picture. I believe it takes a 17mm socket and is torqued (at least on 3rd gen models, check local listings for your torque specs) to 40 ft-lbs. After loosening the pinch bolt Place the spanner wrench on the onto the bearing holder. bearing holder Spanner wrench on bearing holder Rotate the wrench clockwise to tighten the chain. Check tension. Slack should be .6 to 1 inch. If you accidentally got it too tight, turn the wrench upside down and rotate the bearing counter-clockwise After you have finished adjusting your chain, tighten the pinch bolt on torque to spec. Your done! You have now adjusted your chain, you cna put your tools away and go wash up then hit the road. __________________ http://www.nrwhiteknight.net

08-05-2006, 11:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
hotwheels Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Last Online: 08-02-2008 12:37 PM View my Photo Gallery Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Damn that thing is filthy. I didnt know they could get that caked up. Thanks for the pics and such. __________________ I'm not fast, maybe your just slow.

08-05-2006, 12:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
jethro911 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Last Online: 11-18-2009 07:56 PM Location: Kemptville Ontario - Find Me! My Ride: 1990 vfr750 sold 1998 vfr800 sold 2001 Ducati 748 yep sold too another 98 VFR800 sold fall 2008 Next? View my Photo Gallery Posts: 334 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	It is a bit dirty but that must be because you have been lubricating it well and riding it alot! Here is what one looks like when it isn't getting ridden and is cleaned too much. I call it a garage queen. I would add simply that the tension should be set with an average load on the rear suspension so if that is 200lbs or one average rider, sit on it or have someone sit on it while you check the slack. When I went through tech inspection to take the Star School, they were insistent that we all had adequate slack in the chain. I guess for most of us it is a habit to run the chain too tight. I had a dyno run from my first VFR that showed the peak HP in each gear and it dropped off significantly as the rear wheel speed increased. The dyno operator was confident that it was simply a tight chain. __________________ Jethro911_Kemptville Ontario_1998 VFR800 " You can teach a monkey to ride a bike but what is he gonna do when the chain falls off"

08-05-2006, 06:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
googus Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Last Online: 11-08-2008 06:35 PM Location: Morris County, N.J. My Ride: Honda VFR 2000 Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	chain You said it!! When it is dirty it shows that you lube it and ride your bike and not just wash it and look at it Greg

04-10-2007, 10:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
vfrgrl Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Last Online: 12-25-2007 10:14 PM Location: Portland, Oregon My Ride: 1986 VFR750 2006 HD FLHXI Posts: 9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My '86VFR750 needs a new chain....I want to do it myself but have no clue how or what chain to get. Or should I just let my mechanic do it? Suggestions?? Comments?? BTW...on a scale of 1-10, I'd be a "4" mechanically. __________________ Hmmm......which bike should I ride today......

04-10-2007, 01:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
reg71 Squidleyous Maximus Join Date: Feb 2006 Last Online: 11-12-2009 07:54 AM Location: Central Coast, CA - Find Me! My Ride: 1998 VFR 800, 2003 YZ 450 F, 1990 Suzuki DR 100 View my Photo Gallery Posts: 5,396 Thanks: 20 Thanked 131 Times in 86 Posts	I was gonna say the same thing about the chain being dirty. Thats what happens when you lube and ride... I get shit on here all the time about having a dirty bike, but my bike is rapidly nearing 50000 miles. In my defense, I like my bikes like I like my women: fast, sexy, and a little dirty when I ride 'em hard. ;) __________________ _____________________________________________________ Reg71 - Central Coast, CA 98 VFR 800 - 5G Brotherhood Ride Reports Click here

04-10-2007, 04:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
RVFR Uber Guru Join Date: Jan 2006 Last Online: Yesterday 11:46 PM Location: Olympia Wa. - Find Me! My Ride: 97 VFR750 View my Photo Gallery Posts: 4,198 Thanks: 161 Thanked 116 Times in 100 Posts	LOL you guys crack me up.. was going to say, whew thats a dirty one too, but you guys have all ready said it for me. Man, don't make me get a photo of how mine looks. :) __________________ Getting you where you belong..... before it's too late. http://media.putfile.com/Gazelle www.loopsies.com Most Fun your Dog can Have

08-11-2007, 06:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
kitty Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Last Online: 12-09-2007 07:24 PM Location: Brisbane My Ride: VFR750 1996 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thats great, we've been at a loss as to how to adjust the chain. Great that you have put in pics too. Nothing like a visual! Kitty

08-11-2007, 07:50 PM	#11 (permalink)
speed Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Last Online: 11-19-2009 10:02 PM Location: Lake Arrowhead,Calif.92352 - Find Me! My Ride: 1986 VFR750F View my Photo Gallery Posts: 733 Thanks: 29 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	WOW! is that what that tool dose ? (ha ha)

09-26-2007, 02:13 PM	#12 (permalink)
dickman696 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Last Online: 04-20-2009 08:17 AM Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hey, Can someone help me figure out which spanner I need t buy to adjust the chain on my 98 VFR? #4 or #5????? http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit...OR/1998/389839

10-02-2007, 10:40 AM	#13 (permalink)
Shinigami Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Last Online: 10-12-2009 01:52 AM My Ride: 03VFR800FI, 08CBR600RR View my Photo Gallery Posts: 87 Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	Number four, plus the "cheater bar" number 13, (though I didn't need it)- and don't forget the 17 mm wrench for the pinch bolt, OR preferably a torque wrench and socket, 54 foot-pounds for the retightening on a gen 6, check your manual for your specific gen.

10-05-2007, 08:38 AM	#14 (permalink)
lear 31a Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Last Online: 11-07-2009 06:41 AM Location: Bentonville, Arkansas - Find Me! My Ride: 2003 VFR800 ABS View my Photo Gallery Posts: 94 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Any advice on chain lube/cleaner. __________________ "It's a jungle out there kiddies, have a very fruitful day" - Jimmy Buffet

10-05-2007, 02:52 PM	#17 (permalink)
lear 31a Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Last Online: 11-07-2009 06:41 AM Location: Bentonville, Arkansas - Find Me! My Ride: 2003 VFR800 ABS View my Photo Gallery Posts: 94 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks, enjoyed the link. __________________ "It's a jungle out there kiddies, have a very fruitful day" - Jimmy Buffet

02-08-2008, 03:47 PM	#18 (permalink)
nozzle Uber Guru Join Date: May 2007 Last Online: 11-09-2009 06:05 PM Location: Southern Maryland - Find Me! My Ride: 07 RWB 'ceptor View my Photo Gallery Posts: 1,558 Thanks: 4 Thanked 19 Times in 17 Posts	Spare time this winter? What do our Northern North American riders do in the cold, cold winter months you ask? NozzleNews brings you this evidence from a recent fact finding mission on the internet..... chain.JPG That is alot of Molson Canadian, patience, and airbrush time.

02-08-2008, 05:59 PM	#19 (permalink)
squirrelman Uber Guru Join Date: Jul 2006 Last Online: Yesterday 10:58 PM Location: barf-a-load, ny - Find Me! My Ride: '86 VFR 700Fs (3)/ '97 VFR 750F/ '88 NT 650 HAWK (3)/ '86 Yamaha Radian/ '66 Yamaha YL-1/ '88 VTR 250 (2)/ '73 CB 125 View my Photo Gallery Posts: 1,876 Thanks: 82 Thanked 145 Times in 132 Posts	TENSION (slack) on a used chain should be checked at SEVERAL points as wheel is rotated and slack should be SET properly at the point where the chain is naturally tightest.... Used chains will be somewhat inconsistant as wheel is rotated. Adjust the chain when it's cold (unridden) and lube the chain when it's hot. __________________ " Goin' to Hell in a bucket, but at least I'm enjoyin' the ride....... " "It's no use, mate, the bottom's fallen out......."

02-08-2008, 06:11 PM	#20 (permalink)
NorcalBoy Uber Guru Join Date: Aug 2007 Last Online: Today 04:43 AM Location: Earth - Find Me! My Ride: Is White View my Photo Gallery Posts: 2,067 Thanks: 43 Thanked 268 Times in 207 Posts	The manual for my 6th Gen VFR indicates the chain should be adjusted when the bike is on the center stand....... Typically if a chain is getting loose, then tight, then loose when spinning the rear wheel - this indicates another problem.

02-08-2008, 08:21 PM	#21 (permalink)
mello dude ProGeek Wackjob Anomaly Join Date: Jan 2006 Last Online: Today 12:53 AM Location: Southwest Ohio - Find Me! My Ride: '98VFR800 and '99 Valkyrie - one to go fast, one to go slow, not necessarily in that order. View my Photo Gallery Posts: 2,375 Thanks: 23 Thanked 88 Times in 80 Posts	My 2 cents is its easier to check slack by kicking it into gear, pulling rearward on the top of the tire to put tension on the top part of the chain, and then checking slack in the middle on the bottom. MD __________________ Member 5th Gen Brotherhood http://vfrworld.com/forums/fifth-gen...llos-mods.html http://vfrworld.com/forums/brake-tir...ceptor-ss.html <----------- Why Be Normal? ----------->

02-09-2008, 10:35 AM	#24 (permalink)
speed Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Last Online: 11-19-2009 10:02 PM Location: Lake Arrowhead,Calif.92352 - Find Me! My Ride: 1986 VFR750F View my Photo Gallery Posts: 733 Thanks: 29 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	looks like alot of work to me ? __________________ Where will YOU go when you leave this earth ? VFRiders for Christ is a group that was formed for believers members welcome http://vfrworld.com/forums/groups/vfriders-christ.html

02-09-2008, 11:21 AM	#25 (permalink)
NorcalBoy Uber Guru Join Date: Aug 2007 Last Online: Today 04:43 AM Location: Earth - Find Me! My Ride: Is White View my Photo Gallery Posts: 2,067 Thanks: 43 Thanked 268 Times in 207 Posts	Holy freakin' tweaker project, Batman! I hope that not all Canadians are doing Crystal to get through the winter........

04-28-2008, 12:42 PM	#27 (permalink)
rabbipal Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Last Online: 09-28-2009 10:43 AM Location: Colorado Springs, CO My Ride: 5th edition VFR800Fi Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Awesome write-up. Thank you. I just did my chain yesterday. Took about 2 minutes total time (of course I read the article so I knew what to do. Without it, it would have taken my hours ... :-)). I want to second the other comment about leaving the side stand down even though u have it on the center stand .. my bike fell over twice (thankfully onto the side stand) during the turning of the bearing holder. The first time got me unawares but the 2nd time I was ready for .. u can kinda gauge how much of pressure it takes for turning it results in forward momentum causing the bike to fall of the center stand. Thanks again for an awesome article. Last edited by rabbipal; 04-28-2008 at 02:33 PM.

06-18-2008, 12:56 PM	#29 (permalink)
hondawolf Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Last Online: 11-17-2009 11:34 AM Location: Livermore, Ca My Ride: 2004 Honda VFR800, 2001 Yamaha YZ426F Posts: 333 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Adjusting the chain is a nice and quick procedure, compared to some other bikes out there. Just replaced the chain on my 6th gen yesterday, that's a bit more work and time consuming. Didn't realize you need a special tool to flare the ends of the pins on the master link. I have a standard chain tool I use on my dirt bike, and it worked fine for removing my old chain, but had to take the bike down to my local bike shop to secure the master link.

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