Hi, I am talking about something on the swingarm like seen on this picture on a dual sided swingarm bike: Its kinda a record of how many times you already have adjusted your chain in the past and can be an extra indicator to replace your chain. The DVT doesnt have something like that on the swingarm, so how do you owners know when its time to replace? Do you keep track on your own in combination with the mileage ridden on a one chain? I'm just wondering since my (soon to be sold) CB has that sticker and my Multi does not. Thx a lot!
I’ve never seen a sticker like that on any of my bikes and I’ve had. Indication of chain wear is always up/down movement.
I can tell when I get chain slap not long after I've adjusted it. Also, try pulling a link away on the rear sprocket. If it freely moves a millimeter or so, it's toast.
The graduated markers are to align the rear wheel on double sided swing arms, although they themselves can be out
The condition of the front Sprocket is a good indicator of chain wear on a Mutley! Take off the black cover over the front sprocket and look for worn / hooked teeth. The rear sprocket may look fine but the front will go first and will ruin the chain at the same time.
Blimey.! That top pic brings back memories. All Honda's used to have those stickers on the chain adjusters in the past. Simple visual indicator of when the chains fubar.!
As .Coman said, when you adjust the chain and it needs adjustment soon after get ready to replace. Starting with a new chain I only adjust 3-4 times til it's toast.
the multi? yeah its complete but that wasnt my question how many times can one adjust one chain, on the honda I got that sticker to go by not on the multi
the multi? yeah its complete but that wasnt my question how many tiles can one adjust one chain, on the honda I got that sticker to go by not on the multi
good tip! thx man! My Honda is about to part from me one of these days, normally this week, than the Multi will be stalled in the garage of the house, so I can inspect everything from closeby. First thing i'll be checking is the front sprocket and chain slack. From personal nature I'm curious and like to tincker around So adjusting a chain is no big issue for me, on the CB it was more time consuming, but watching a video about chain adjustment on a Multi, I'm feeling confident to do that myself. I'm even eyeballing on a longer hook spanner wich should make it easier. That said, I'm not too exited in removing the rear tire or replacing the rear sprocket, while easy in procedure, I think it can be hard to realise + I don't have a torque wrench that can handle those forces, and that alone would be a costly tool as well. I am curious how tight the front sprocket is bolted on and how you unbolt that? By leaving the chain on it and using the rear brake? Or with an impact gun (wich i dont have)
I may have overstated it a little - it was from memory - but it really should be tight to the sprocket. I had a new chain on 250 miles ago so I'll check tomorrow how much my new chain moves when pulled.
A good chain will need a little adjustment after say 200 miles, then i have only had to make 3 adjustments in the last 14000 miles, with still plenty of life in it yet.
The chain on my DVT covered 18,000 miles through three UK winters. By your calculation I would have adjusted it once every 4500 miles! I don't care how awesomely well you lube your chain but there just ain't no way you're getting away with that adjustment schedule unless you spend your entire time riding just off tick-over and/or the chain is practically hanging off. As a rule of thumb, I lube AFTER every time I clean my bike (weekly) or every 200 miles, whichever comes first. Chain gets checked for adjustment AFTER it's been lubed and run for a couple of miles. It generally needs some minor adjustment every 1200 miles, +/- 100 miles. Not adjusting the chain correctly can accelerate chain wear, which might be why you only get to adjust yours 3 or 4 times before it's shot.
I think you'll find that this is completely dependant on the conditions it's used in and the manner in which it's been maintained. If you ride all year round and in all conditions then your mileage may vary.
Those indicators are literally as much use as a chocolate fireguard. If you don't maintain a chain correctly then they instantly become meaningless. You could have a chain with a few thousand miles on it but it's not maintained and you end up with some seized links then it can be junk in no time. In fact a chain with knackered and stiff links can give the impression that it's overly tight, if the owner doesn't know how to inspect it correctly. As has been already suggested, when the chain no longer fits the sprocket correctly and that can have absolutely nothing to do with the distance that the rear axle has been extended for adjustment. The fact is that everyone is different. We all have slightly different maintenance schedules, ride in different conditions, and also different riding styles - all of which affect the life of all consumable parts, and the drive chain is a consumable part.
Once a chain and the sprockets get towards their end of life they will start to wear rapidly, bit like falling off a cliff. Once the OEM chain gets to 12k+ miles it needs constant checks to make sure it is adjusted correctly. I changed the last one (DVT) at 14K and it was shot (and broken but that's another story) as was the front sprocket. The DID replacement chain was much better, never needed adjustment and looks better! I blame Ducati for this, if the Mutley didn't have such addictive torque out of corners the wear rate would be better - however my right hand may play a part!
