Does anyone know how to or where I can find the procedure for adjusting the chain? I cannot believe that the manual states that this is to be done by the dealership as this is a task that may need to be performed regularly. Moreover, the bike comes with the spanner tool to do the job. Any help forwarded on to me would be greatly appreciated.

-- David Galleo (dgalleo@mac.com), July 29, 2003

Answers

Fellow mac user,

You simply slightly loosen the two pinch bolts on the back of the swing arm (use hex in the toolkit) and then use the c-spanner from the toolkit to turn the rear hub assembly, just behind the sprocket, to the desired chain tension.

The correct adjustment is 6mm from the bottom of the swing arm lower chain guard to the centerline of the chain. You should check this at different places of the chain. If you have a 1+1, err on the slack side.

Tighten the pinch bolts back to the paint mark. DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN or you will destroy your rear bearings.

This procedure should be done on the rear stand.

Good luck!

-- yannis (ydoganis@rcn.com), July 29, 2003.

28-32 Nm for the pinch bolts.

-- JamesC (jamesacorell@hotmail.com), July 29, 2003.

Carefully...

"The correct adjustment is 6mm from the bottom of the swing arm lower chain guard to the centerline of the chain."

Not to be picky, only to add to the discussion...

That is one of the "correct measurements". For the stock gearing for example. The recommended adjustment actually varies with the sprocket set used. For instance with two teeth over stock the correct adjustment is 8mm. In some gearings the adjustment I believe is 0mm! I imagine the differences can be significant to wear etc.

Scot/NC

-- Scot Hennon (scot/nc@i-bmw.com), July 30, 2003.

This may be a stupid question, but when measuring the slack, do you measure it as is, or measure when pulling down on the chain. I'm assuming as is, but if that's the case, my chain has been way too tight for the last 6k miles.

-- Brad Cowell (bcowell@sbcglobal.net), July 30, 2003.