Chain sprocket alignment

[Cardinal Direction]

I confess myself a fool, if I use a pair of calipers, and set the distance of the axle to the end of the swing arm on both sides to the same distance, how can the chain and sprockets be out of alignment? And if they are out of alignment, how does one adjust for this and maintain the equal distance?

 

[Cpd419]

Use the marks, put it on the center stand, start it and put it in first. Stand back and look at it a minute. My marks are dead nutz.

 

[Cardinal Direction]

I use a pair of calipers and measure the exact distance from the axle to the swing arm. I just have heard of misalignment of the sprockets and chain and I wonder how it could occur, the adjustment as far as the distance from the axle to swing arm is correct

 

[Cardinal Direction]

Use the marks, put it on the center stand, start it and put it in first. Stand back and look at it a minute. My marks are dead nutz.

I’ve heard that some of the marks arnt correct. Maybe the stock chain is just way out of wack

 

[Little_Thumper_Boy]

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[AZ7000']

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Yep, a 1 time purchase I use on all 8 Moto’s.

 

[Cpd419]

I’ve heard that some of the marks arnt correct. Maybe the stock chain is just way out of wack

I’ve heard of that but never experienced it after owning at least 40 motorcycles. Never had any major chain problems and changed very few and none that wore prematurely.

 

[dmonkey]

I have that chain alignment tool but on the CT you need to remove the chain guard to be able to use it for line of sight down the top of the chain from the rear sprocket. Kind of a hassle. A good at home or at the shop tool, but not something that goes in my travel kit, nor do calipers. So on the road I just use the marks. The adjusters aren't the best design either, just simple. They are good for pulling the axle to the rear, but if you ever need to move it forward it's possible to have the axle sitting somewhere other than the adjustment point if that makes sense. Can address that by pushing the rear wheel and thus the axle forward, then matching that by manipulating the adjusters before tightening them and the axle.
Spin the rear tire in the air and make sure everything spins smooth, if the alignment were bad enough to matter you'd likely notice it.
Once you have it dialed in, maybe at home with the precision of calipers, then later make all adjustments in small amounts matched on each side. I turn the large adjuster nuts 1/6 turn (one face) at a time and count it by always having a face level on top, so a flat side on top.

 

[AZ7000']

but if you ever need to move it forward it's possible to have the axle sitting somewhere other than the adjustment point if that makes sense. Can address that by pushing the rear wheel and thus the axle forward,

On a bike without the chain guard I just press down on the chain, on this bike I squeeze the upper and lower chain sections together and it seems to cinch the tire as forward as it will go.

 

[m in sc]

calipers and measuring the best way. bolt thread is consistent per revolution. I got over 30k out of my SV chain doing this, never had to change the sprockets.

 

[Cardinal Direction]

Then I will just keep doing what I’m doing. Just hit 1k miles and had to adjust the OEM chain again, finally have had enough and replacing it this week