Adjusting Chain Tension... In Midair

[Kegan]

Hey everyone, I'm in the middle of a bunch of repairs and adjustments on my Monster, and as such the bike is strung up from the ceiling in my garage ($30 D-rings > $80+ stands). I'm wondering if there are any issues adjusting the tension while the bike is off the ground, as all the writeups I've found have their bikes on the side stand. Thanks for the advice.

Kegan

[DucNaked]

Don't adjust it off the ground. The specs given for adjustment are with the bike on the ground and on the sidestand.

[Punx Clever]

Agreed, adjust on the ground.  Might look into an engine hoist ($200 at Harbor Freight) though...

[Howie]

When you put the bike back on the ground you load the suspension, the swing arm becomes closer to parallel to the ground, the distance between sprockets becomes longer, chain is now too tight.

[Veloce-Fino]

So as not to start a new thread.

When adjusting the tension with a rearstand (swingarm under load) I am tightening the axel nuts after completing the adjustment.

Any idea what to torque the axel nuts too? I don't want to go too tight and pinch anything.

Also, do I need to worry about centering the wheel, or was that taken care of when adjusting chain tension.

(on a 696)

[SDkid]

When adjusting the tension with a rearstand (swingarm under load) I am tightening the axel nuts after completing the adjustment.

Any idea what to torque the axel nuts too? I don't want to go too tight and pinch anything.

Also, do I need to worry about centering the wheel, or was that taken care of when adjusting chain tension.

Most DSS are the same for technique, so there might be step-by-step instructions with pics somewhere.  But for an overview:
1.) loosen axle nuts on both sides
2.) measure chain tension at most-taught point in rotation (easiest way is with rear-stand to keep weight on the rear suspension, but wheel off the ground)
3.) adjust tension +/- in appropriate direction with adjustment bolts on rear of swingarm
4.) MAKE SURE TO ADJUST BOTH SIDES THE SAME AMOUNT to keep wheel alignment
5.) re-tighten axle bolt on both sides to 70-76 Nm (52-56 ft.lbs)
6.) snug adjustment bolts once axle nuts are tight, I believe to 20ft.lbs 6ft.lbs

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=373.0 for future reference

wheel will stay centered through process unless you figure out how to remove the spacers without removing the wheel.

[Veloce-Fino]

Most DSS are the same for technique, so there might be step-by-step instructions with pics somewhere.  But for an overview:
1.) loosen axle nuts on both sides
2.) measure chain tension at most-taught point in rotation (easiest way is with rear-stand to keep weight on the rear suspension, but wheel off the ground)
3.) adjust tension +/- in appropriate direction with adjustment bolts on rear of swingarm
4.) MAKE SURE TO ADJUST BOTH SIDES THE SAME AMOUNT to keep wheel alignment
5.) re-tighten axle bolt on both sides to 70-76 Nm (52-56 ft.lbs)
6.) snug adjustment bolts once axle nuts are tight, I believe to 20ft.lbs (someone can confirm this please)

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=373.0 for future reference

wheel will stay centered through process unless you figure out how to remove the spacers without removing the wheel.

20ft.lbs seems high for the adjustment bolts. I just snugged them. Tightened the axle bolts to 55.

Thanks!

[Howie]

20ft.lbs seems high for the adjustment bolts. I just snugged them. Tightened the axle bolts to 55.

Thanks!

83 Nm for the axle nut, 8Nm for the adjustment bolts.

[Veloce-Fino]

83 Nm for the axle nut, 8Nm for the adjustment bolts.

61 and 6 Ft. Lbs.

Hmm, well I already torqued the axle to 55 and reinstalled my axle spools..

55 will have to do.

[SDkid]

I just read off the list on the thread I quoted.  It seemed high to me too.  I usually just snug them, but for a number I will agree with the 6ish ft.lbs.  Thanks for the correction.

[WhiteStripe]

That looks like an expensive swing

[Kegan]

Kids love it. I should start charging admission