going on a trip for a few days tomorrow with the Kat, just went down to give the bike an inspection and adjust the chain.
problem: in neutral, on the center stand, i noticed after i adjusted the chain, i was turning the wheel slowly to lube the chain and it gets tense at a certain spot - ie doesn't turn freely. i am assuming its not aligned properly (tire)...i checked the alignment lines (the notches on either side) and they are not that far off...i mean, one is just to the right of the last notch, the other is just to the left...so i loosened the wheel nut again (the one with the cotter pin) and started adjusting those two nuts for the chain...i just can't seem to line them up perfectly without getting the chain either way to tense or way to loose...and when i loosen the bolt on the right side, the metal bracket just goes way too loose, as if its loosened as much as it can be.
i'm guessing my chain is stretched to its limit and i need a new one. i have been very careful to adjust it properly and keep an eye on it this year...also lube it after every ride, even cleaned it with chain cleaner at the start of the season. this is the first time i notices the 'tension' when rotating the wheel...but then again i usually lube it on the center stand while the wheel is spinning in first gear, and not with my hand.
now i'm all packed and set to leave tomorrow and i am a little worried. was planning to stop by my mechanic tomorrow morning and hopefully he will take a few mintutes to look at it, adjust it properly and give me his opinion..
any advice would be appreciated!
problem: in neutral, on the center stand, i noticed after i adjusted the chain, i was turning the wheel slowly to lube the chain and it gets tense at a certain spot - ie doesn't turn freely. i am assuming its not aligned properly (tire)...i checked the alignment lines (the notches on either side) and they are not that far off...i mean, one is just to the right of the last notch, the other is just to the left...so i loosened the wheel nut again (the one with the cotter pin) and started adjusting those two nuts for the chain...i just can't seem to line them up perfectly without getting the chain either way to tense or way to loose...and when i loosen the bolt on the right side, the metal bracket just goes way too loose, as if its loosened as much as it can be.
i'm guessing my chain is stretched to its limit and i need a new one. i have been very careful to adjust it properly and keep an eye on it this year...also lube it after every ride, even cleaned it with chain cleaner at the start of the season. this is the first time i notices the 'tension' when rotating the wheel...but then again i usually lube it on the center stand while the wheel is spinning in first gear, and not with my hand.
now i'm all packed and set to leave tomorrow and i am a little worried. was planning to stop by my mechanic tomorrow morning and hopefully he will take a few mintutes to look at it, adjust it properly and give me his opinion..
any advice would be appreciated!
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