Tool help

[Sheppo]

Why don't you go ask this question on gixxer.com?

they would tell him to chrome the chain and not worry about it.. it's all about the pose...

[Jim]

i'm all set now, the axle is tight and the chain is perfect. thanks for everyone's help

[CEO]

i'm all set now, the axle is tight and the chain is perfect. thanks for everyone's help

So did you just have to loosen the chain to account for the tightening when the axle was torqued? Or was it something else?

[Jim]

needed to put a screwdriver in the sprocket to hold it in place while tighting the axle bolt. got new cotter pins too. thanks again Degs

[CEO]

needed to put a screwdriver in the sprocket to hold it in place while tighting the axle bolt. got new cotter pins too. thanks again Degs

Oh you mean between the chain and the sprocket to keep it from turning?

[Jim]

yes sir

[CEO]

yes sir

Didn't I tell you do to that yesterday on the phone

If not sorry I forgot. Degsy told me that one back in the day. He's so dreamy.

[Jim]

If not sorry I forgot. Degsy told me that one back in the day. He's so dreamy.

he even brought me cotter pins

[Boston Moto]

Oh you mean between the chain and the sprocket to keep it from turning?

Not to keep it from turning. If you put a wrench in between the chain and rear sprocket and keep the chain tight it will hold the wheel against the chain adjusters so that you don't get any slop in there while you tighten the axle.

[bigred875]

glad to hear you sorted it out

[Jim]

ha, thanks ryan. i knew degs would fix this with his eyes closed.

[CEO]

Not to keep it from turning. If you put a wrench in between the chain and rear sprocket and keep the chain tight it will hold the wheel against the chain adjusters so that you don't get any slop in there while you tighten the axle.

Ahh right... I know that since you taught it to me this past winter/spring... but me no talky well what's in my big fat head; turning/sliding/moving/

[kbroderick]

i have both sides exactly on the 4th mark right now. the right side didnt need to get moved, but the left side was about a 1/2 mark off. when i adjusted the left side the slack was perfect. then i tightened the axle bolt with my breaker bar, and noticed the chain slack was gone, but was still on the 4th swingarm mark

anyways, i have the axle finger tight right now with the cotter pin in there.
the chain slack is where i want it, and i was planning on riding all day today. is that axle nut considered dangerous since i dont have it torqued to spec?

Is it wise to trust the marks on the adjusters?

I know mine are off by about a full mark (which I figured out after using a ghetto alignment tool), and I've read about others being similarly off. Then again, maybe it's just a Ninjette issue and chrome keeps them more accurate

Also, re: using a 3/8 to 1/2 adapter...I'd never go in that direction. If I need to convert down from 3/8 to 1/4 or 1/2 to 3/8, I'd use an adapter (although hopefully not on a torque wrench); I've broken a couple of converters in the past trying to convert upwards, so now I tend to figure that if it's a big honkin' socket (e.g. 36mm), it comes in 1/2" drive for a reason.

[Jim]

Yes do not ride with one side off a full mark. My chain snapped and wrapped around my leg because of that (and not cleaning the chain). You need to fix it before riding again.

[kbroderick]

Yes do not ride with one side off a full mark. My chain snapped and wrapped around my leg because of that (and not cleaning the chain). You need to fix it before riding again.

Perhaps I wasn't clear...my chain/rear wheel alignment is correct. The marks on the adjusters are wrong (i.e. they don't line up even though the rear wheel is aligned), and I was suggesting that I'd be leery of blindly trusting them unless you've verified that they do line up properly.

[Jim]

So you're rear tire is balanced, but the left and right swingarm marks are different? That mrans your rear tire isn't on straight

[kbroderick]

So you're rear tire is balanced, but the left and right swingarm marks are different? That mrans your rear tire isn't on straight

The distance from the front swingarm bolt center to the rear axle bolt center is the same on both sides of the bike, therefore I think the wheel is on straight. However, the adjusters are on different marks on either side. My assumption is that the marks are not an accurate indication of wheel alignment, at least on my bike; this matches what the ninja250.org FAQ says:

The hash marks (on all bikes) are Notoriously off. Some may be 2 or more marks off.

[Jim]

Bring your bike to degsy's and have him use his alignmebt tool to make sure it's exact

[CEO]

Yes do not ride with one side off a full mark. You need to fix it before riding again.

So you're rear tire is balanced, but the left and right swingarm marks are different? That mrans your rear tire isn't on straight

Christ! You're such a moron sometimes, Jim

[Degsy]

Bring your bike to degsy's and have him use his alignmebt tool to make sure it's exact

I heard a rumor that Boston Moto may be selling those chain alignment tools soon!!

Just a rumor.

[Jim]

Christ! You're such a moron sometimes, Jim

because of sweet typing skills on my blackberry while drinking

[DuncanMoto]

I never trust the marks on the swing arm.

Actually we already sell a very cool German made "laser" alignment tool. It is the balls. I'll throw some photos up later, but here's the manufacturer's link. I have one of these for a loaner tool and we do stock these for $90.

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