Is there a “normal” type of spec for chain tension on the v4? The manual and swing arm tag specs give you an adjustment to a pre determine spot on the chassis or the supplied tension tool. Which is a bit of a faff tbh. And even where you put that tension tool is not particularly precise. On other bikes I’ve had a fairly simple deflection range to measure on the chain itself, which is relatively simple to do on a centre stand or paddock stand with the swing arm in loaded. The setting factors in the load. Ducati’s method seems oddly different for no real benefit that I can see, add to that the fact it also requires some load on the bike… am I missing something?
The tension tool if slotted correctly will not move. It takes a bit of fiddling to get it in the correct slot. Measuring on the side stand (as per the manual ) gives a different measurement to adjusting on the centre stand. I go by the side stand , cos that's what the book says. In the 12000 miles I have only had to adjust the chain twice. I use a auto chain oiler. (Tutoro)
The simplest solution I have found is to go through the book set up, put the bike on the paddock stand and then take a reference measurement of your choice. Future adjustments use your chosen reference. Andy
Just to add after discussion on this topic with my dealer techies I set the chain tension on the side stand in the mode most frequently used (touring in my case) with the bike switched off. I have measured this and used the gauge which is accurate as well (it can be hard to slot the gauge in properly it should stay in position near the rear bolt for the chain guard and not be touching the chain). You only have to do this once. Having done that put it on the centre stand and mark the gauge where the link rivets are centred. On mine that point is 6mm lower than the mid point of the two Ducati marks on the gauge. I then have the reference point and its easy to check and adjust once done.
This is all far too complicated. I’ll stick with just popping in to the dealer every once in a while and getting them to sort it.
When I picked up my Panigale and was asking questions about adjusting the chain, the dealer told me, just bring it in, no need to book we are happy to do that.
I just adjust it when it’s loose until it feels about right… just make sure it’s not overtight and I never bothered with the gauge thing
They don't as you adjust the flow to suit. Do a search and you'll have a multitude of threads on chain maintenance and none of them add anything new from the first one started.
The Tutoro works by vibration, dispensing when the bike is moving. There is an adjustment on the reservoir to set the flow depending on ambient temperature. The wheel will get a little messy as you are putting oil on the chain; but it never goes on the side wall of the tyre like scottoilers I have used in the past
but since some of you have already done it, would you be so kind as to tell us how many mm or inches are from the corresponding rivet and the raised central stand? The truth is that I noticed when they adjusted it in the official service once more than half from the rear rivet of the part where the ducati meter is inserted, but the mechanic had not put the ducati meter before, so I don't know if it will be correct or approximate, average in touring mode on the center stand raised from the rear rivet of the slot where the ducati 32 mm meter is placed, can it be correct?
I think I understand what you want - The handbook says it should be 33-35mm from the bottom of the black chain slipper to the centre of the chain rivet when on the side stand and engine off. That translates to 40mm (approx) when the bike is on the centre stand from the slipper to the centre rivet of the chain (at the tightest spot of the chain). I don't go tighter than that and prefer a looser chain rather than a tight one - bearings are expensive!
