chain tension

[tri280]

 I tried to adjust my chain tension did not work out to well. I loosened the pinch bolts. Then when I put the spanner wrench on the hub it was very hard to get any movement. What could be the problem here? The bike is a s4rs 2008 single side arm.  Does tension vary with sag of bike.

[rockaduc]

IIRC chain tension should be adjusted/ measured with the bike on the side stand.  It might take some pressure to get the eccentric to spin and thus adjust your chain tension, but it shouldn't take THAT much, maybe loosen the pinch bolts some more.

Or go eat some spinach!!!

[erkishhorde]

I tried to adjust my chain tension did not work out to well. I loosened the pinch bolts. Then when I put the spanner wrench on the hub it was very hard to get any movement. What could be the problem here? The bike is a s4rs 2008 single side arm.  Does tension vary with sag of bike.

I don't know about the single sided swingarm monsters but on the doubles you won't get the axle nut loose with just a wrench unless you're pretty strong. A 2' breaker bar should let it move relatively easily though.

As for tension and sag... I don't know if they're related and changing one will affect the other, but chain tension is an independent standard. Meaning that regardless of what your sag is, your minimum tension requirement should remain the same and is indicated on your swing arm (or is on the DSA monsters).

[numbskull]

IIRC chain tension should be adjusted/ measured with the bike on the side stand.  It might take some pressure to get the eccentric to spin and thus adjust your chain tension, but it shouldn't take THAT much, maybe loosen the pinch bolts some more.

Or go eat some spinach!!!

+1. It should take much effort to get the eccentric to move, but I had a similar experience on my S2R. It took a bit to move the sucker. There was a bit of corrosion that made it a little sticky. Cleaned it up and it's fine now. You'll find that a very slight turn of the eccentric makes a big difference in tension.

[DarkStaR]

IIRC chain tension should be adjusted/ measured with the bike on the side stand.  It might take some pressure to get the eccentric to spin and thus adjust your chain tension, but it shouldn't take THAT much, maybe loosen the pinch bolts some more.

Or go eat some spinach!!!

+1 Shouldn't be that hard to do.

As for adjusting the chain tension on a SSS: I've never notice a difference between measuring on the rear stand vs the side stand. 
Why would there be a difference?

[RUFKM]

I don't know about the single sided swingarm monsters but on the doubles you won't get the axle nut loose with just a wrench unless you're pretty strong.

Whoa tiger.  No need to loosen the axle nut.  I use a rubber hammer against the eccentric to get it started if need be.  Once started you probably just tap with your palm.  +1 on loosening the pinch bolts.  They should be "finger loose".

[corey]

They should be "finger loose".

Yup. But be sure to tighten them to the PROPER torque setting, using the correct pattern. These two bolts are very important to your safety as the rider of this bike (sorry i don't know it off hand). And don't forget to grease them.

And for God's sake, use the proper tool. If you don't have the spanner, it's like $20 on eBay if you don't want to buy one from our sponsors.

[erkishhorde]

Whoa tiger.  No need to loosen the axle nut.  I use a rubber hammer against the eccentric to get it started if need be.  Once started you probably just tap with your palm.  +1 on loosening the pinch bolts.  They should be "finger loose".

Ooooh, you guys don't need to mess with the axle nut on the single arms? Lucky.

[corey]

Ooooh, you guys don't need to mess with the axle nut on the single arms? Lucky.

Yup. It's very nice. Just loosen two pinch bolts, turn the eccentric with a spanner, and tighten two pinch bolts.