need info on How To S4RS SSS chain tension adjust

[dbran1949]

I have no problem taking the bike in to GP here in San Diego, but I really think I should be able to adjust the chain tension myself

1. I did a search but could not find a good step by step
2. Can I get the "special spanner" for adjusting the ecentric hub at any tool supply any one know the size. Or is it something Ducati specific
3. Do I just loosen the axle nuts, adjust tension, then tighten them back up?

Thanks - if this is already on the site somewhere I can't find it. The problem with these simple word match searches, no heuristics

[pennyrobber]

It doesn't matter which spanner you use as long as it fits. I use the one from my Ohlins rear shock and it does just fine. You just need a spanner with a long enough handle and a tooth that will fit into the slots. You are pretty much spot on with the procedure. You loosen the two pinch bolts at the back of the swing arm eccentric. Get your spanner down in there and give it a twist. If I remember correctly you turn it clockwise when looking at the bike from the left side (if this loosens the chain rather than tightening it, just go the other way). Once you have the tension correct, torque the old bolts back down. It is pretty important to get the torque on these right rather than just tightening it. You don't want those to comming loose while going down the road. Not sure of the exact torque values for the S4RS though.

[He Man]

i recently regreased my eccentric, so i just moved it by hand with some leather work gloves. id stay away from using a screw driver and hammer,  you can easily make the beast with two backs up the teeth that way. realistically, you could even make a tool it would just need to fit into atleast two slots to move it. Im sure home depot has something cheap, they are called C spanners.

but you are pretty spot on, just loosen completely the pinch bolts adjust it accordingly ( a little goes a long way here, so a tool is really nice to have) then tighten them.

[dbran1949]

Oh, the pinch bolts, not the axle nuts. Makes sense ok.

I assume I can do this while the bike is just on the side stand

I think I found the torque spec. The pinch bolts are called "Chain tensioner eccentric screw" 33 Nm which converts to 24.34 ft-lbs

Thanks, I'll try to locate the spanner and let you know what I get

[Kerry Blue]

I picked up my spanner at the dealer for about $30 I have also seen it at Monsterparts for around the same price. If you go here you can see the spanner in use, under New Chain Installation.
http://www.ca-cycleworks.com/videos/



**Note this info is from the  Monster S2R workshop manual

Chain adjustment eccentric screw, Thread (mm) M 12x1.25, Nm 33 tolerance
±10%  *, Notes GREASE B, Torque Sequence 1-2-1

GREASE B Molybdenum disulphide grease, high mechanical
stress and high temperature resistant. SHELL Retinax HDX2

[dbran1949]

I picked up my spanner at the dealer for about $30

The handle looks kind of short on the ducati official part. Did you have any problems using it

[Kerry Blue]

My handle is about the same length. Once the pinch bolts are loosen off its easy to rotate the eccentric hub. You are only turning the hub 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch to adjust the chain. If your chain is set almost correct there is very little rotation to bring it back into speck.
You can see another example of the wrench at http://desmotimes.com/

[dbran1949]

Don't re-adjust your chain.

Even if you raise the ride height, the tightest spot (where the two sprockets and the pivot are in line) hasn't changed.

I didn't change ride height, I have put about 500 miles on a new chain and sprockets installed by the dealer at my 12,000 mile service. I was cleaning the chain the other day and it's looser than the spec. I just don't want to try to get to the shop every time I need to tension the chain.

[Speeddog]

Ack. 

Posted in the wrong thread, carry on.

[dbran1949]

I just watched the ca-cycleworks video. He adjusted the chain while the bike was on a stand which basically unloads the rear wheel. I have a stand that fits in the rear axle so If i raise the bike up so I can work on it the rear wheel is under load. I just wonder if it makes any difference

[Kerry Blue]

I have a rear axle stand as well. Changed the sprockets and chain on the  axle stand. Then but the bike on the ground and rolled it till the top of the chain had  no slack. Then adjusted the chain.