Chain Adjustment Problems

[raul507]

I recently tried to tighten the chain on my bike and can't for the life of me get the eccentric bearing carrier to rotate. Any tips? And yes I've loosened the pinch bolt

[MrDude_1]

look at the brake caliper... specifically that metal strip that connects the caliper to the swingarm.
if its at full tension.. with the caliper all the way back, you cant go backwards anymore..
its the easiest way i know of to "see" where the eccentric is at. you're probably just trying to turn it the wrong way.

[raul507]

The bike has a new chain on it and it's all the way to the left (looking at the wheel from the left side of the bike). Correct me if I'm wrong but I need to turn clockwise on it?

[SkinnE]

Yes, clockwise should do the trick. I take it you have stock or nearly stock sizes of sprockets/chain? The best way I've heard to move the carrier is to get the hook tool seated in a notch and to 'catch' it with a nut for the rear sprocket. You can then turn the whole wheel to make the adjustment. If you go too far, you will need to reseat the tool so as to 'catch' it in the opposite direction.

hth
E

[MrDude_1]

Yes, clockwise should do the trick. I take it you have stock or nearly stock sizes of sprockets/chain? The best way I've heard to move the carrier is to get the hook tool seated in a notch and to 'catch' it with a nut for the rear sprocket. You can then turn the whole wheel to make the adjustment. If you go too far, you will need to reseat the tool so as to 'catch' it in the opposite direction.

hth
E

thats exactly how i do it too.. my problem isnt turning it as much as remembering what way to turn it.. unless i look at it carefully, i always end up trying to turn it the wrong way..

[raul507]

Thanks gentlemen I'll see if that does the trick.

[flypiguk]

chain adjustment

hi

the adjuster has to be rotated clockwise. it might be worth stripping the adjuster/bearing and giving it a good clean,and giving it a good greasing when putting it back together.

den

[raul507]

Re: chain adjustment

hi

the adjuster has to be rotated clockwise. it might be worth stripping the adjuster/bearing and giving it a good clean,and giving it a good greasing when putting it back together.

den

Thanks that's what I think I'm going to have to do. Tried to adjust it again and had absolutely no luck. I've adjusted the chain numerous times before and never had this problem. Any idea what would cause the adjuster/bearing to do this now?

[SkinnE]

Re: chain adjustment

Tried to adjust it again and had absolutely no luck. I've adjusted the chain numerous times before and never had this problem. Any idea what would cause the adjuster/bearing to do this now?

The mating faces of the adjuster and the swingarm are bare alloy and a snug fit. If it didn't have sufficient grease there to begin with, or has been adjusted several times since it was last greased, the surfaces would just slowly bond together, especially if any moisture made it's way in there.

If you're having trouble getting the adjuster out when you go to strip it, you can use an old bicycle trick: Remove the pinch bolt (with the 17mm fitting) and thread it in from below. As the bolt approaches the gap, slip a penny/nickel/quarter in the gap and catch it with the bolt. Now as you turn the bolt in, the pinching action will be opened up. Just don't open it too far or you're likely to strain the alloy.

E

[NT696]

Remove the pinch bolt (with the 17mm fitting) and thread it in from below. As the bolt approaches the gap, slip a penny/nickel/quarter in the gap and catch it with the bolt. Now as you turn the bolt in, the pinching action will be opened up.

Great tip! One to remember for sure.