Drive chain adjustment

rear axle nuts can be tight , axle needs to be move equal amount both sides unless wheels not in line . 3/4" only ok if suspension  compressed and tightest spot determined . Better a bit loose than too tight.

Hi Fred,

   First, tighten the wheel nut up again and check the wheel is in line with the front and if you are happy with that check the adjustment nuts on the swinging arm fork ends are tight. The wheel spindle is in 2 parts so you need to undo the off-side fixed head first. Don't worry about the thread as these can take 100 ft/lbs but make sure nothing has been crush damaged. Next undo the chain side nut, not too much as you need a little friction when you make the adjustment. Try a half turn on each side and check the tension at several different places by turning the wheel and repeat until it's about right. Chains and sprockets never wear equally and you will find a big variation of slack at different points. When you tighten the spindle nuts it's chain side first, fixed head second. Sometimes tightening the nuts will also tighten the chain, so double check after and if you can get someone to sit on the bike with it off the stand, you can see if there is any variation with the suspension loaded.

Hi Robert,

    Sorry, our posts crossed over, so I ended up repeating your info with-out knowing.

Its all good Richard . Many hands .........We happily have a have a deep repository of thoughtfull  members prepared to  step up with  expert  help.  And doing it without being condiscending in any way.  It makes our club  pretty special. 

Hello Fred,

In addition to what Robert and Richard said, I'd like te throw in a trick that I've learned once from a Supermono racer.

To prevent the chain from tightening again when tightening up the rear axle, push against the chain in the middle. Proceed as written above, while you keep applying pressure.

You can do it alone, but an extra hand is more convenient.

As stated, measuring play is always done with the rear suspension compressed and at the tightest spot of the chain. Really important.

Tim

Hi Fred Just read the post about rear chain adjustment, all great advise. 
an easy way IMHO to check the alignment of the rear wheel is to get someone to ride behind you on a straight road, so they can see your rear wheel and front wheel by moving a small amount to the left or right, it is very easy to see which side the front wheel (ie Rear) is ofsett  (if any) by how much you have to move to the left or right. This explanation sound a bit complicated, but it isn't in practice, if the person riding behind looks carefully at the wheels!

Regards John O