Primary Chain Adjustment Question

I'm trying to dial in the adjustment on my primary chain. Did a stator swap a month back and I am trying to dial in the tension. I was hearing a knock and I found about 1 inch of play so I tightened it a bit down to 1/2 inch of play, while cold. I am getting a much milder knock on occasion now.

My question is: when testing for play how much force should be applied to the chain? Obviously I am adjusting it thorough the primary inspection cover, so all you can get in there is a digit. I can press it till it stops but then, if apply more force, I can press it up some more. Depending on how hard I push, the slack can be measured differently.

Apply pretty big force, but make sure it does not affect you measuring method, keep you measuring tool steady and leveled. I would say 3-5 kilos (6-10lb) force is OK.

Also make sure you set minimal slack in tightest spot. I shift on 5th gear and turn rear wheel to turn the engine to measure chain slack in a few spots .


Remeasure chain slack in a few spots after tightening chain tensioner since tightening can affect chain slack.

Once you have set minimal slack in tightest spot measure slack in a few spots and find biggest slack and compare it with biggest allowed slack according service manual. If it is bigger than maximal allowed slack, you have to replace the primary chain.

I am assuming you inspected chain tensioner boot while replacing stator and it was good.

http://buellmods.com/#TabbedContent1.11
PRIMARY CHAIN
INSPECTION
See
Figure 1-
31
. Measure primary chain tension through the
inspection cover opening. Adjust primary chains not meeting
vertical free play specifications.
1.
See
Figure 1-
31
. Remove two fasteners with captive
washers and primary chain inspection cover with gasket
from primary cover.
2.
See
Figure 1-
32
. Check primary chain tension by meas-
uring vertical free play.
a.
Measure vertical free play through chain inspection
cover opening.
b.
Rotate engine to move primary chain to a different
position on sprockets.
c.
Measure vertical free play several times, each time
with primary chain moved so that the measurement
is taken with sprockets rotated to the tightest chain
position.
3.
The tightest measurement taken in the previous step must
be within the specifications listed in T
ab
le 1-
11
. If neces-
sary, adjust as described under 1.11 PRIMAR
Y CHAIN,
Adjustment
.
NOTE
The initial primary chain vertical free play specification used
at the assembly plant is 1/4-1/2 in. (6.4-12.7 mm) with a cold
engine. The
1/2 in.
(6.4 mm
) minimum is only allowed at the
absolute tightest point in the drive, as measured with special-
ized factory equipment. If a chain has less than 1/4 in. (6.4
mm
) vertical tension (with a cold engine), adjust tension to the
"field" specification of 3/8-1/2 in. (9.5-12.7 mm). The looser
specification will avoid overtightening, which might otherwise
occur during adjustment using "non-factory" equipment and
methods.
4.
See
Figure 1-
31
. Install primary chain inspection cover
and
new
gasket to primary cover using two fasteners with
captive washers. Tighten fasteners to
84-108
in-lbs
(9.

Thanks guys. I'll follow those steps.

I go a little old skool with this adjustment.

With the bike idling in neutral, I back off the adjuster until you hear the noise get louder (rackety noise, it's obvious), then tighten slowly. You will hear it get quiet and then louder again (a more of a buzzing noise, still obvious) then back off 1/2 that distance.

IMO, it eliminates the question of tight spots in the primary chain and it's really fast and easy to do. I check them after JIC, but have always been within spec after adjusting that way. YMMV

Cooter said:

I go a little old skool with this adjustment.

With the bike idling in neutral, I back off the adjuster until you hear the noise get louder (rackety noise, it's obvious), then tighten slowly. You will hear it get quiet and then louder again (a more of a buzzing noise, still obvious) then back off 1/2 that distance.

IMO, it eliminates the question of tight spots in the primary chain and it's really fast and easy to do. I check them after JIC, but have always been within spec after adjusting that way. YMMV

Click to expand...

That is now how I will check mine. I always fought with mine, a little to tight, turn it over a little to loose.

motorcycle "primary drive chain" systems have been around 90 years now as have the simple as-per-manual adjustment procedures. can't be any simpler or concise than those procedures.....performed at room temp. what i typically see is destruction of internal primary drive components AND stripped out primary case threads that hold the primary chain shoe adjuster threaded shaft which is a real bitch to repair. from constant fiddling. do as you please...follow any lead....adjust till your heart's content....but if you experience substantial loose/tight fitment thru the entire run of the primary chain you have not only a chain that is defective but also a worn input shaft bearing assembly. a serviceable chain and internal components adjusted as-per-manual will never "knock". the primary on some XB's will emit a pleasant whirring noise...but never a knock. if yours does you have something awry internally that needs addressed.

lunaticfringe said:

motorcycle "primary drive chain" systems have been around 90 years now as have the simple as-per-manual adjustment procedures. can't be any simpler or concise than those procedures.....performed at room temp. what i typically see is destruction of internal primary drive components AND stripped out primary case threads that hold the primary chain shoe adjuster threaded shaft which is a real bitch to repair. from constant fiddling. do as you please...follow any lead....adjust till your heart's content....but if you experience substantial loose/tight fitment thru the entire run of the primary chain you have not only a chain that is defective but also a worn input shaft bearing assembly. a serviceable chain and internal components adjusted as-per-manual will never "knock". the primary on some XB's will emit a pleasant whirring noise...but never a knock. if yours does you have something awry internally that needs addressed.

Click to expand...

So since I heard a knock, can there be something amiss in my primary?

H-D small and big twins(V-rod excepted) and buell XB's have a 720 crank.
ducatis have either a 90 degree or 360 degree crank depending on model.
ducatis will "knock" if the idle speed is set too low or the TB's are out of synch.
XB's will never "knock" unless there's something wrong internally.

lunaticfringe said:

H-D small and big twins(V-rod excepted) and buell XB's have a 720 crank.
ducatis have either a 90 degree or 360 degree crank depending on model.
ducatis will "knock" if the idle speed is set too low or the TB's are out of synch.
XB's will never "knock" unless there's something wrong internally.

Click to expand...

It's like a brief, barely audible slap on acceleration from stand still. It was louder before I tightened the chain, but even then it was only audible on acceleration from stand still.

I found the adjustment by ear the easier method but I also believe the primary chain makes a bit of noise. How many Miles should a primary chain last assuming proper adjustment and care.

I agree with lunatic, it should never knock. At idle a loose chain will slap around a bit, chatter not knock.

When I checked the tension in the past I would put a tape measure on the inspection port and use as much force in both directions as I could with a finger. I can remember freaking out thinking it was to tight because of the whirring noise. Not to much but a little.

Readjust it. If it keeps knocking you've got bigger issues.

Dellinger said:

I agree with lunatic, it should never knock. At idle a loose chain will slap around a bit, chatter not knock.

When I checked the tension in the past I would put a tape measure on the inspection port and use as much force in both directions as I could with a finger. I can remember freaking out thinking it was to tight because of the whirring noise. Not to much but a little.

Readjust it. If it keeps knocking you've got bigger issues.

Click to expand...

Thank you.

I will give it a readjust. When I adjusted it initially I basically applied a finger touch when guaging the slack. Thank you for the feedback.

That's an important point. Just like drain plugs, I see much more damage from too tight than too loose.

Cooter said:

That's an important point. Just like drain plugs, I see much more damage from too tight than too loose.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll try not to go full Hulk.

Does the ~1/2 inch of play have to be when force is applied both up AND down? In other words 1/4 inch of movement upwards and 1/4 inch movement downwards?

Right now I will get the 1/2 inch of play in just the up direction and then when the chain is at rest I can apply force from the top and push it some more in the down direction.

how the hell can something so incredibly simple in the world of motorcycle maintenance become so incredibly complex and difficult to perform? the complexitive and transitive nature of this very thread is going to confuse alot of board novices who are interested in tackling their own simple maintenance needs. unreal.

^^^^^word!!!

lunaticfringe said:

how the hell can something so incredibly simple in the world of motorcycle maintenance become so incredibly complex and difficult to perform? the complexitive and transitive nature of this very thread is going to confuse alot of board novices who are interested in tackling their own simple maintenance needs. unreal.

Click to expand...

This seems the norm for all the maintenance procedures that are easily found, and just as easy to understand, in the service manual.

I feel so stupid. :stupid: urrr durrr

Back to basics,

http://buellmods.com/#TabbedContent1.11
PRIMARY CHAIN
INSPECTION
See
Figure 1-
31
. Measure primary chain tension through the
inspection cover opening. Adjust primary chains not meeting
vertical free play specifications.
1.
See
Figure 1-
31
. Remove two fasteners with captive
washers and primary chain inspection cover with gasket
from primary cover.
2.
See
Figure 1-
32
. Check primary chain tension by meas-
uring vertical free play.
a.
Measure vertical free play through chain inspection
cover opening.
b.
Rotate engine to move primary chain to a different
position on sprockets.
c.
Measure vertical free play several times, each time
with primary chain moved so that the measurement
is taken with sprockets rotated to the tightest chain
position.
3.
The tightest measurement taken in the previous step must
be within the specifications listed in T
ab
le 1-
11
. If neces-
sary, adjust as described under 1.11 PRIMAR
Y CHAIN,
Adjustment
.
NOTE
The initial primary chain vertical free play specification used
at the assembly plant is 1/4-1/2 in. (6.4-12.7 mm) with a cold
engine. The
1/2 in.
(6.4 mm
) minimum is only allowed at the
absolute tightest point in the drive, as measured with special-
ized factory equipment. If a chain has less than 1/4 in. (6.4
mm
) vertical tension (with a cold engine), adjust tension to the
"field" specification of 3/8-1/2 in. (9.5-12.7 mm). The looser
specification will avoid overtightening, which might otherwise
occur during adjustment using "non-factory" equipment and
methods.
4.
See
Figure 1-
31
. Install primary chain inspection cover
and
new
gasket to primary cover using two fasteners with
captive washers. Tighten fasteners to
84-108
in-lbs
(9.