:?: How do y'all do this?

There has got to be a better way than on your hands and knees with a ruler that was strong armed from a passing grade school student, a greasy finger and 45 minutes... only to get all done re-torque the axle bolt and discover it is too tight :oops:

(BTW: AutoZone tool loan program rocks! Better than books from the public library! But I'm buying the next Torque Wrench I see at the pawn shop. Handy accessory to add: a 3/4" drive to 1/2" drive adapter :naughty )

I use your technique RND, but use a tape measure rather than a ruler. Also I use a vernier/caliper to measure the position of the axle bolt to ensure proper wheel alignment.

Anyone using the chain laser to ensure absolute wheel alignment? Looks like a pretty cool little tool, however you still need to manually set chain slack.

I found out early on that the proper chain slack measurement on the 599 corresponds to something else that is REAL easy to check.

With the bike parked, unloaded, on side stand, in neutral, take the chain and push it from the bottom. Push it up against the plastic guide under the swingarm. At proper adjustment, mine almost touches the metal part of the swingarm just past the plastic guide. So rather than break out the measuring stick, I check it this way.

To ensure that the chain isn't too tight, loosen up the rear shock to setting #1 then put a good sized buddy on the bike. This will get the rear sprocket, swing arm pivot, and front sprocket to line up in a straight line which brings the chain at it's tightest point. At this point the chain should have a little slack, perhaps a half inch or so. If it's tight at this point, loosen it up a very small bit EVEN if it measures too loose by Honda's specs. A little loose is always better than a little tight.

Good luck!!

Geeze, you guys. I just eyeballs everything and then clamps it all down with my wimpy arm. So far so good.

Geeze, you guys. I just eyeballs everything and then clamps it all down with my wimpy arm. So far so good.

Same here. But I use a big-ass breaker bar.

I was beginning to think I was the minority while reading the first few posts. To me, it's pretty obvious to tell if the chain is too tight or too loose with a little wiggle.

For fear of a lawsuit, I'll say that this isn't the recommended method, especially for a new rider.

I will admit I am more anal than most when it comes to my chain. But after the first adjustment at 200 miles, I haven't had to adjust mine since and I have 8000 miles on the bike now.

Lots of lube should mean very little wear ;)

That's always been my experience...uh, you were talking about chains, right?

<grin>

Nope

The WetLeather motto: Lubrication Is the Key! :D