Adjust chain without center stand

[gblawler]

My 2003 Dakar chain might need to be adjusted. The Dakar does not come with a center stand. I have never adjusted the chain before, dealer did it at my 6,000 and 12,000 maintenance. They told me at 12,000 the chain will easily make to the next maintenance at 18,000. I use PJ1 Blue every time I fill with gas. The slack range is 40-50mm (1.6-2"). I just measured it and it is about 2-1/8". I have heard it is better to run the chain a little loose than a little tight. First off, is it worth adjusting for 1/8"?

If so, I would like to adjust myself since the nearest dealer is an hour and a half ride from here. The instructions in the maintenance manual are simple enough, but I thought your guys who have actually done this might give me some useful tips. It looks like the nut on the right side is all that needs to be turned. Is that right?

I have a long breaker bar I can use to loosen and a long torque wrench I can to use tighten to 100nm (74 ft lbs). I assume the T45 torx adjustments on the end of each swing arm will move the axle in both directions to get the right adjustment. Should I soak this down with WD-40 or penetrating oil first, or would that be a bad idea?

[PGlaves]

My 2003 Dakar chain might need to be adjusted. The Dakar does not come with a center stand. I have never adjusted the chain before, dealer did it at my 6,000 and 12,000 maintenance. They told me at 12,000 the chain will easily make to the next maintenance at 18,000. I use PJ1 Blue every time I fill with gas. The slack range is 40-50mm (1.6-2"). I just measured it and it is about 2-1/8". I have heard it is better to run the chain a little loose than a little tight. First off, is it worth adjusting for 1/8"?

If so, I would like to adjust myself since the nearest dealer is an hour and a half ride from here. The instructions in the maintenance manual are simple enough, but I thought your guys who have actually done this might give me some useful tips. It looks like the nut on the right side is all that needs to be turned. Is that right?

I have a long breaker bar I can use to loosen and a long torque wrench I can to use tighten to 100nm (74 ft lbs). I assume the T45 torx adjustments on the end of each swing arm will move the axle in both directions to get the right adjustment. Should I soak this down with WD-40 or penetrating oil first, or would that be a bad idea?

Well, sorta!

I always adjust the chain on the sidestand anyway. Loosen the axle. But the adjusters only pull the axle back. They won't push forward. You need to pull the axle/wheel/sprocket rearward anyway so to tighten the chain it doesn't matter that they won't push unless you tighten it too much.

So go slowly - 1/4 turn on 1 side, 1/4 turn on the other. Check slack! As you go check that the alignment marks are equal. When close but not quite, turn just a very little bit one side, then the other until you are happy. Stay on the loose side, but within spec.

[gblawler]

Well, sorta!

I always adjust the chain on the sidestand anyway. Loosen the axle. But the adjusters only pull the axle back. They won't push forward. You need to pull the axle/wheel/sprocket rearward anyway so to tighten the chain it doesn't matter that they won't push unless you tighten it too much.

So go slowly - 1/4 turn on 1 side, 1/4 turn on the other. Check slack! As you go check that the alignment marks are equal. When close but not quite, turn just a very little bit one side, then the other until you are happy. Stay on the loose side, but within spec.

Paul, the book looks like you only loosen the axle on the sprocket (right) side of the bike. The other end of the axle on the left side has a smaller hex. Does the axle need to be tightened on both sides or just the sprocket side?

[PGlaves]

Paul, the book looks like you only loosen the axle on the sprocket (right) side of the bike. The other end of the axle on the left side has a smaller hex. Does the axle need to be tightened on both sides or just the sprocket side?

The axle goes all the way through from left to right. The nut on the right and head of the axle (big bolt) on the left. Hold the head - loosen the nut. Then hold the head and tighten the nut.