Hi everyone, hoping someone can help me out with this rather embarrassing problem.... While trying to adjust the chain tension on my 998, I have hit a snag in that I can hardly move the eccentric hub with the C Spanner and shortish extension handle in the toolkit. I think I managed to tighten the chain by a few mm using a copper mallet on the handle, but the chain is still too loose and the hammer blows are distorting the end of the handle. The 2 pinch bolts were fully slackened. Question: is there anyone out there local to me who has a suitable C Spanner with a long extension handle and experience with this type of problem? I am in South Birmingham B30 post code area, near to the Cadbury factory in Bournville. Thanks in advance if anyone can help out, Alan.
Might not be of help but you can get said C spanner with extra long handles online. Used them on my MTS.
When was the last time the eccentric hub was removed from the bike ? Both the hub and the swing arm where the hub locates, attract road detritus (shit to you and me) which can harden like cement. Removal and cleaning should be routine maintenance. Please don’t go down the route of trying to jam a flat bladed screw driver into the swing arm to try and open the gap more to release the eccentric that is not something I would advise As mc says, plenty of relatively cheap c spanner solutions on eBay and Amazon. Andy
Look on the other side where the caliper is mounted. The bracket has a slot. Is it at the end of its travel. If so chain is too long Otherwise it's been said the outside of the hub and inside the arm needs cleaning
FYI the eccentric hub was serviced very recently and a new chain/sprocket set fitted (not by me). So, that is a very good point higgy748, I had completely forgotten about that feature - it will be my first check when I'm back in the garage. Thanks to everyone for the fast responses - I'll let you know what I find. Thanks again, Alan.
One thing I’d add - it’s possible to have the hub 180 degrees out which means the ride height will be wrong too.
absolutely, and it's quite common to find a secondhand bike turns out to be like this. The easy clue (apart from incorrect chain length issues) is that rotating the eccentric hub clockwise (looking at bike from the left/bike facing forward) should tighten the chain - if it loosens the chain then the eccentric hub is in the wrong position.
Finally managed to get back to my garage and have a further look. Yes, the wheel was at the rearmost limit of its travel as determined by the stop pin and slot in the brake calliper bracket. So thanks to everyone who responded and especially higgy748. Now where have I put my dunces cap...............
