Chain adjust advice

Does anyone know how to read, or whether I should even trust, the chain length gauge on the chain gaurd? Also I unless I get the chain very tight, with an up-down movement much less than the 1-1/4 inch, the chain hits the little plastic gaurd on the under side of the swing arm.
The photo shows the position of the rear gear relative to the chain gaurd. Is any of this something I should worry about? Or is my chain toast?
The bike only has ~11k miles on it, I bought it with ~9k and assume it is the stock chain.
Thanks in advance for your help

 

Here is a link on how to adjust your chain (I know, you probably already know how to do it, but just in case): http://vfrworld.com/forums/maintenance/3978-adjusting-your-chain.html

Here is another thread where we discussed chain adjustment and sprocket wear. There are some links to photos in this thread as well:
http://vfrworld.com/forums/modifica...n-sprocket-set.html?highlight=chain+adjusting

Hope this helps, From your photo, my personal opinion is that it's time to replace the chain and sprockets. Others may feel differently. Do check out the two threads I linked to here and should you have more Q's, ask and we will try to help you thru it. :smile:

 

Thanks Vinny, That was a nice write up. But the 6th gen must be a little different at least in that on mine counter-clock-wise (lifting up on the wrench from behind the bike) tightened the chain, I actually went out and readjusted it to be sure.
As to that gauge though, I decided to break down and read the shop manual. Appears that you need to check the tooth on the chain that is fartest forward, not the tooth directly beneath the gauge. You have to stand next to the bike and look down at it. Once I thought I knew how to read it the chain appeared to be about half way through the gauge. Of course if moved my head a couple inches to the right the chain was brand new, and a couple inches to the right the chain was toast. Kind of a stupid gauge!

 

Yeah, I agree tha gauge is stupid. There are better ways to mark it for length so you know when to get new ones. What really tipped me off on mine was that it seemed like I was adjusting it about every 600 miles or less. So far with the new chain, I think i have adjusted it maybe twice. But then I keep it well lubed too.

 

With my commute I'll need to lube it once a week, so at this point I'll just keep an eye on it and see how often it goes out of adjustment.
Thanks again Vinny.

 

No prob man. How far do you commute? I was using mine to commute about 90 miles round trip, depending on the route I took. I lubed mine about every 4th day or so.

 

My commute is also about 90 miles round trip. Gets me about 2.5 hours of saddle time every day:biggrin: If I commute all 5 days during the week it's still less than the recommended 600 miles between lubes but I figure it will just be easier to get in the habit of lubing the chain every Saturday. Figure more isn't going ot hurt it. Just get that game of lube the chain, clean the wheel....and so on.