CHAIN ALIGNMENT TOOL

[m in sc]

yes. in the diagram.. I'm referring to #11. (after the axle is tightened)

then hold #11 w a wrench and tighten #13 against it.

 

[mcmd]

yes. in the diagram.. I'm referring to #11. (after the axle is tightened)

then hold #11 w a wrench and tighten #13 against it.

Thank you. Sorry to be so dense! This is all pretty new to me. Trying to learn some of the maintenance basics. Happy holidays!

 

[m in sc]

we all have to learn, I didn't come out of the womb with this knowledge. the only bad question is the one not asked. good luck with it.

 

[mcmd]

we all have to learn, I didn't come out of the womb with this knowledge. the only bad question is the one not asked. good luck with it.

Thanks, I appreciate your kind words and support!

 

[mcmd]

I wanted to give a shout out of thanks to everyone who advised me about the proper way of tensioning my chain. I now believe the chain is tensioned properly and no loose end caps! This leads me to another question. What torque wrench is everyone using? I purchased a brand new 3/8 Craftsman torque wrench and I must say, I'm disappointed with it. The so-called audible click when correct torque is achieved cannot be heard. I noticed this the first time I attempted to adjust my chain. I thought it must be a fluke and that it would be better next time, it wasn't. I simple couldn't hear or feel the click. This one is still returnable and I'd like to get one that alleviates the guesswork. Would love to know what everybody is using. Thanks for all and happy new year!

 

[dmonkey]

Torque wrenches come in different torque ranges where they're more accurate within the middle section of that range, so you usually want 2-3 different ones depending on the torque specs you're tightening to.

For regular maintenance on my CT125 I use a Tohnichi MTQL40N (5-40 Nm) and Tohnichi MTQL70N (10-70 Nm) torque wrench that have good solid clicks that you can hear and feel.
Tekton make nice affordable click-type torque wrenches with SAE and metric measurements that I would be quicker to recommend specifically for the CT125 because they're more affordable and easier to obtain in the USA. I use those more when working on 'Merican cars or Hogs. Honda's HELM service manual for the CT125 lists torque specs in pound-foot measurements along with newton-metres, so you wouldn't need to do any conversion when using an SAE torque wrench on the CT125.

 

[m in sc]

you should be able to feel the click in the handle. I have a calibrated snap on one, a desoutter digital one, and and old beam type with manual pointer, which I use the most on bigger stuff...... but i never throw a torque wrench on the axle when they are as small as this bike (but thats just me) regardless, you want to aim for the 'feel' of the click more than an audible 'click'. If you cant feel it and are just using it for minor stuff like this, get a kobalt one from lowes, I've had good results w their tools, but i cant say as ive ever bought a torque wrench from them . also, make sure you return any of them to -zero- when done. . https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-3-8...5vnD5sKV0CbXkQZ0e5RoC4nIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[sieg]

I wanted to give a shout out of thanks to everyone who advised me about the proper way of tensioning my chain. I now believe the chain is tensioned properly and no loose end caps! This leads me to another question. What torque wrench is everyone using? I purchased a brand new 3/8 Craftsman torque wrench and I must say, I'm disappointed with it. The so-called audible click when correct torque is achieved cannot be heard. I noticed this the first time I attempted to adjust my chain. I thought it must be a fluke and that it would be better next time, it wasn't. I simple couldn't hear or feel the click. This one is still returnable and I'd like to get one that alleviates the guesswork. Would love to know what everybody is using. Thanks for all and happy new year!

Sometimes it's hard the feel or hear the click if you're working in the low range of the wrench. You may need a smaller wrench for smaller fasteners.

 

[mcmd]

Torque wrenches come in different torque ranges where they're more accurate within the middle section of that range, so you usually want 2-3 different ones depending on the torque specs you're tightening to.

For regular maintenance on my CT125 I use a Tohnichi MTQL40N (5-40 Nm) and Tohnichi MTQL70N (10-70 Nm) torque wrench that have good solid clicks that you can hear and feel.
Tekton make nice affordable click-type torque wrenches with SAE and metric measurements that I would be quicker to recommend specifically for the CT125 because they're more affordable and easier to obtain in the USA. I use those more when working on 'Merican cars or Hogs. Honda's HELM service manual for the CT125 lists torque specs in pound-foot measurements along with newton-metres, so you wouldn't need to do any conversion when using an SAE torque wrench on the CT125.

Thank you. I just checked out the Tektons that you suggested. It looks like the 3/8, 10 - 80 ft lb would be a good choice. I appreciate your input.

 

[mcmd]

you should be able to feel the click in the handle. I have a calibrated snap on one, a desoutter digital one, and and old beam type with manual pointer, which I use the most on bigger stuff...... but i never throw a torque wrench on the axle when they are as small as this bike (but thats just me) regardless, you want to aim for the 'feel' of the click more than an audible 'click'. If you cant feel it and are just using it for minor stuff like this, get a kobalt one from lowes, I've had good results w their tools, but i cant say as ive ever bought a torque wrench from them . also, make sure you return any of them to -zero- when done. . https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-3-8...5vnD5sKV0CbXkQZ0e5RoC4nIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks for your response. I was forced to wing it because I couldn't hear or feel the click. I do feel that I got the axel tight enough. For me, I'm more interested in making sure that I'm not over-things. Thanks for your suggestions. Very helpful to an inexperienced guy like me.

 

[mcmd]

Sometimes it's hard the feel or hear the click if you're working in the low range of the wrench. You may need a smaller wrench for smaller fasteners.

This is a good point that you make. It does make sense and it's something that I never thought of. This Craftsman is huge and rated at 20 - 100 ft lbs and is physically much bigger that it needs to be for my use. dmonkey suggested the Tekton brand. When I looked at their website while factoring in what you've said about working in the low range, it all made sense. Tekton has a 10 - 80 ft lb which is smaller and would allow me to be working more in the mid range of the specs. Thanks to you and the others, dmonkey and m in sc for sharing the benefit of your experience. It's all been so helpful. I'm learning!

 

[eastema]

From the dealer brand new, mine was quite a bit out of alignment. Noticed it when my son rode my trail and I followed him. The rear tire was tracking almost a full tire width off line from the front! So easy to see when following. I came home and used a long straight edge along the outside of the tires so it extends past both the front and rear tire. Keeping this level with the ground, (set it up on a couple soup cans), I was able to dial the alignment in so it was "just perfect". Move the straight edge to the other side for comparison, it should look the same. Now I just dial 1/4 turn on adjusters each side for slack.

 

[SneakyDingo]

What torque wrench is everyone using?

I don't recommend it, but I'm using a Park Tools torque wrench. Why don't I recommend it? It's expensive. I think you can get something better for cheaper, and if you have the space, a beam one that's adjustable/tunable is probably better value. It's designed for ultra accuracy since over torqueing CF bicycle parts even a little can and will often result in failure. I have a complimentary quality socket set of certain hex drivers from Park Tools as well for the same reason. It's designed to be used on high end bicycles so it's massive overkill for my CT125.

I also got a decent 6 point socket set on recommendation from @m in sc and @dmonkey if I remember correctly to go with the torque wrench (those troublemakers seem to empty my wallet on the regular with good ideas).