Thanks for the video. You make it very easy to understand. So How precise do you have to be on being identical on left and right swing arm during adjustment? I noticed on the hash marks on the swing arm there is a pretty good space between each hash mark. Can you just eye ball it, or would it have to be laser precise? With the space between each hash mark I guess it would be hard to be precise if the setting falls outside of the lines. Im a new rider..lol
Dawgs241 good point, it needs to be as precise as you can get it or will cause odd tire wear and in extreme conditions odd chain/sprocket wear. Blue Monkey makes a laser alignment tool for suspension, chain, swingarm, etc for around $600 if you are interested in getting it that precise. A piece of string does wonders as sometimes the hash marks on the blocks are not super accurate.
You can use something like a 3x5 card and cut it to fit the first side you adjust. You can then use it as a template to adjust the second side. This way if you are between hash marks there will be no guessing. Alternately, you can use a micrometer (the measuring tool shown in this video) to make the same measurement.
Motion pro makes a chain alignment that would be easier for most to use Motion Pro 08-0048 Chain Alignment Tool www.amazon.com/dp/B000GTVOJQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5TDqFbDK1350Y I think a micrometer would be the best but there are a lot of ways to do it
@@broderp I was going to use a small ruler to measure. The card is a great idea. To be honest, I had the bike for 2 years and I never had to adjust it. The chain remained within 20 to 30mm. I now have a Ninja 1000 which adjust only on one side. You don't have to worry about measuring.
Thanks for the video. I'm a new Rider and just went to lubricate my chain, noticed it was so loose it was scraping away at my swing arm. Pretty upset my dealer sold me, a new rider a brand new bike like that... oh well at least I caught it at 400 miles.
Used this video to do my first adjust on my 19 x400. I had the same play and needed the same end play. Learned not to loosen the axle too much as adjusting the left moved the right way off and adjusting right moved left loose. I almost tightened it down before big brain idea to yank tire back hard before tightening and checking sprocket alignment. Probably saved myself more frustration and admitting defeat and take it somewhere for them to laugh at me in service while I wait in the floor room.
Nice, yea I should have talked more about that in the vid, axle just loose enough for the bolts to move… helps a lot. Glad you got it done Maintenance is expensive and awesome when you can do it yourself
Glad you have this video i have 24 kawi eliminator which is based off of a ninja 400 platform so its the most simular i can go off of for now sence theres like no videos on it lol
Many thanks for the tutorial - was easy to follow. Adjusted mine today and now the riding experience is far superior / smoother. Might be worth adding to the description the needed tools - they are mentioned in the video but in any case these are: measuring calipers (or at the least tape measure), 12mm and 14mm spanners, 17mm and 24mm wrenches, needle nose pliers (for the cotter pin). Also what may be worth adding as regards to alignment of both sides - use those measuring calipers and ensure that after adjustment there is equal distance between the bracket and the end of the swing arm.
Haha thanks, i know what you mean. I purchased a bunch of 40 tv during Black Friday a few years back just started putting them everywhere i could and the shop worked out great lol
Great KISS video, (keep it simple stupid) wish all DIY RU-vidrs had your concise & easy to follow style, tyvm. ps. Avatar is GoPro screenshot swerving from wrekless driver headed straight for my black on black Ninja 400, very nimble bikes...lol
It’s good to make sure you jam the chain and seat the axle all the way to the back of the wheelbase if you can to get the best measurement. Also, instead of relying on the tick markers for the axle sliders to judge the axle alignment, there are very cheaper gauges you can buy that thread onto the rear sprocket and show your axle to chain alignment. Motion pro makes a good one that I use every time for perfect perpendicular axle alignment. They also sell a sprocket jammer, which is a lot better than a piece of wood or folded rags, but it doesn’t actually fit the ninjas factory 520 chain. Great video though man. Very well put together.
Ive only ever had my dealer adjust mine but wanted to learn and thank you for making a good video! As i said my dealer has always done mine and they werent even on both sides which makes me wonder things but oh well, they are now lol
On your last video you mentioned the sound is not great. I just bought one I hate the exhaust though I don’t want to just sound loud and dumb I think Akroprovich makes one that’s doesn’t change the sound much
Did you notice it went back to 38mm within less then 150 miles of riding???? If you just set it at 38mm from the beginning it stays there almost if it where spec😄😄😄😄😄😄😄....
@@ScoutsOut well what about your rear shock preload adjustment, did you set it to #4 or #5?? I weigh less then 160lbs and the factory setting of #3 is too soft allowing the swing arm to move upwards too much and stretch the chain, bumpy roads also on #3 cause rapid chain stretch. Hard to imagine a full grown man riding this bike without any chain problems unless on setting #5, and the fork oil is cheap also it needs to be replaced with a heavier grade.
Thank you for all the detail. very Helpful. so i know how i lube the chain but how do you go about doing it? is there an easy way other than walking it while someone else sprays it?
In my case, these plates at the end of the swing arm near the screws have some play so that they can be moved easily, everything is tightened, nothing happens? apart from that, I have a new Ninja from the showroom... the left side of the swingarm is set differently than the right one, the difference is maybe 3/4 mm of the swingarm - the motorcycle is and rides straight, the chain runs evenly on the sprockets, etc.
To get ride of the play loosen the axel and put a screwdriver between the chain and sprocket, roll the screwdriver in and you will see the wheel get forced back on the brackets tightening it all up
In my case, these plates at the end of the swing arm near the screws have some play so that they can be moved easily, everything is tightened, nothing happens?
Shouldn’t have play. To get ride of the play loosen the axel and put a screwdriver between the chain and sprocket, roll the screwdriver in and you will see the wheel get forced back on the brackets tightening it all up, hope this helps
There are many ways to do it, I chose this route as most do not have all the equipment and special tools to get it off the ground. I prefer to do it on a rear stand, all are good ways to do it
So this is gonna add like 20HP to my ninja 400 right?? Haha, no but thanks for the tutorial, I successfully adjusted the tension on my ninja 400 for the 1st time
It’s an older snap on torque wrench, they are crazy expensive. Harbor freight has a good digital one that won’t break the bank if you wanna check that out too
What does the 17mm do at 3:02? Tried loosening my 24 castle, but I was doing only one side and it wouldn't budge, didn't know I needed a second wrench, what motion do I do with the 17?
Scouts Out she has 615 miles, and i think chain needs cleaning and grease wax, aswell as tightening because its at 2 1/2 inches, also oil is black. got the ninja 400 less then a week ago
Yes at 600 every new bike should get it’s first oil change, and by the book every 600 miles you should clean lube and adjust the chain for the life of the bike
@@ScoutsOut Oh cool, I was 19D always in a scout platoon lol. favorite unit 25th Infantry Div. Was in 3rd ID too but it was Mech and hated it. 11th ACR and 2nd Cav also. Loved being light.
@@ScoutsOut 101 Worst Dope on a rope! lol JK, went thru Air Assault at Schofield 25th ID on East Range think Id rather go thru Airborne again than AAS. The black hats kicked or ass, 4 mi ruck march every morning under 1 hour PT PT PT Airborne was a walk in the park.
I loosened the axle bolt way to much. Went throughout the comments to find that out. I have a problem with the chain being too tight even though i can loosen both nuts all the way. Any advice?
The stock chain should not be too tight especially if it has some mileage on it, if anything it should be stretched by now. Do you have a rear stand and swing arm spools on the bike?
I have a 2019 zx6r. The manual says rotate the rear tire to find the place where the chain has the most tension. I've done this and it doesnt seem to have any place where its tighter than another. Also I have no fucking clue as to where I'm suppose to make the measurements from. I know center of the chain but what am I supposed to go by? The frame? The manual is effin useless bc it doesnt show the point I'm supposed to reference the chain slack from. What I mean is that the frame isnt level it's at an angle. How am I supposed to measure the slack?
It’s annoying I’ve had 4 bikes and they all are vague on where exactly to measure, I also have a 2018 636 best bet for center is measure between each sprocket. As for the tightest spot in the chain I know what you mean hard to find it, have someone walk your bike slow as you watch
You measure at the center of the chain. A chain in good shape will have the same tension everywhere when you rotate the tire. As the chain gets old, you will start to notice tighter spots when turning the wheel. You should adjust when the wheel is positioned at the tighter spot to be sure you dont adjust the chain too tight.
The way you used those calipers hurt my soul.... Who the hell thought you to use that tool? whomever it was that instructed you on how to use that tool is not your friend and doesn't like you.
