Ybr 125, out of my depth!

[Liveware Problem]

I decided to adjust the chain on my ybr, following the Haynes manual instructions, seemed to be going OK until I realised the chain adjusters don't match.. That can't be right can it!? I don't know how to correct the wheel alignment either. Any help appreciated

Left side...

Right side

[GaryJM]

Certainly looks odd. Are the adjusters on the right side?

Are the adjusters the correct ones or the bolts correct ( same length )

Wife's YBR doesn't look like that.

Can you take a pic of the marks on the swing arm of the side you didn't do.

Yes I know the marks aren't a reliable measurement and only give an indication

[GaryJM]

Looking at the pictures a bit more closely one bolt has a Phillips indents on it the other doesn't

I suspect the bolts aren't a matching set. That may be why it looks so odd.

Also the one on the left seems to have tarnished/aged differently to the one on the right

[ThePhatomfart]

A different view

[Liveware Problem]

The bolts are different lengths, the longer one on the chain side looks correct.

The chain side

[TimR]

Someone's replaced a bolt probably the one with a philips head in it (i know its technically not a philips ok ) . Go by the mark's on the adjuster sliders and swingarm so that they are even

[GaryJM]

[url=http://s718.photobucket.com/user/GaryJM/media/Motorbike/DFDDD2AC-12B2-4E0F-BCFC-F4D442E853A7.jpg.html][img=http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww181/GaryJM/Motorbike/DFDDD2AC-12B2-4E0F-BCFC-F4D442E853A7.jpg][/url]

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/ww181/GaryJM/Motorbike/7BEF7145-EB3E-412C-9917-7AB48D5E514D.jpg[html]

Couple of pics from my wife's one. Both bolts are the same length and both have the Phillips ndentation.

Looks to me that you have 2 different ones

[GaryJM]

So from the pics I would say pop to a Yammy dealer and get them to order you a set of those bolts and swap them over

[GaryJM]

The one on the right looks like the correct one. Is the chain adjusted evenly?

Doesn't look like it to me as from the position of the adjusters looks like the one on the right is at the end of its adjustment whilst the one on the left looks as thou it's halfway.

The mark ( indent ) on the adjusters should both be at the same number of marks on the swing arm, that is evenly adjusted.

If they are not in the same rough position the chain is incorrectly adjusted and will cause the rear end to pull to one side whilst breaking or even riding.

Edited January 28, 2017 by GaryJM

[Liveware Problem]

Thanks for all the help guys

The problem I have now is the bolt and the housing on the exhaust side (the one with the shorter bolt with 2 nuts on) is loose, does that mean I've loosened the axle nut too much?

This bit is loose

[GaryJM]

That bit should not be loose, the nut should sit perfectly flat against the swing arm.

IIRC it should be torqued up to around 50nm of torque

You need to get that sorted correctly before you ride that bike again

[Liveware Problem]

Ah I've loosened the axle nut too much then. Now I'm not sure how to tighten it back up with the circled bit in the correct orientation

Also I don't have a torque wrench

[GaryJM]

With the axle nut loose, move the adjuster bolts to there outmost extension so that they are both fully out.

Then push the rear wheel in (may need to use a bit of force if the axle is not straight as I suspect)

Once the axle is straight pull the rear wheel towards you and then adjust both of those bolts till they evenly go in

Once that is done adjust them as it says in the Haynes manual.

You must make sure the axle is straight. It's not always easy to see if it isn't

[Liveware Problem]

Hmm so it's:

1. Loosen axle nut

2. Move adjuster bolts fully out both sides

3. push rear wheel in to align axle

4. Pull wheel towards you

5. Adjust bolts back in?

So out of my depth

[GaryJM]

That's what I would do. Going by the pics you've posted to me it does look like it's not straight.

Advantage of this, is that you will know its setup correctly for the future.

On a side note had an AA guy once try to adjust the chain on one adjuster before.

I was 300 miles from home attending a family emergency which meant I hadn't checked the chain before leaving home and I didn't have any tools with me.

I showed him how to do it for future reference. Last time I will ever go anywhere without chain lube or the tools at least to adjust my chain correctly.

[GaryJM]

When you do the adjuster bolts after pulling the wheel back out keeping the axle straight do a little bit on each side alternately.

Check with the marks on the swing arm that it is evenly adjusted.

[rennie]

you need to be sure wheel is in straight before you ride it!

Have you got a local biker mate who can come and help you?

[Liveware Problem]

Many thanks Gary

I will give it a go tomorrow in daylight. I hope the fact that the two adjuster bolts are so different won't be a big problem

No unfortunately not rennie! I might have to wheel it down to the bike shop, luckily it's not too far away.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

The fact that you've got two different bolts doesn't really matter in my humble opinion. They're not load bearing, just there to enable accurate adjustment.

You've probably got it all to cock at this stage so let's go back to the beginning.

Wind the two adjuster bolts out so that they aren't putting any pressure on the axle plates - the ones with the markers on that show where the axle is in relation to the swing arm indicators.

Loosen the axle bolt just enough to enable the wheel to slide backwards and forwards. Move the wheel forwards until the chain is slack. Try to line up the markers / indicators both sides so the wheel is square.

Now screw in both rear adjuster bolts until they start to pull the wheel backwards - do each a little at a time so that the wheel stays square. Do the chain side first each time so that you get an idea of when the chain is getting to about the right adjustment.

When the chain is at the right adjustment, check, check and check again. Then tighten the axle bolt. As it tightens keep checking the markers to make sure the axle doesn't shift out of line.

If you don't have a torque wrench just use a decent socket on one side and a ring spanner on the other. If you tighten up as firmly as possible with normal hand tools that's usually sufficient.

That usually works for me.

[rennie]

as above plus:

spin wheel and check chain tension in lots of places (keep your fingers out)

Any strange noises, clicks, jumping of chain you have a problem!

Once you get it done go for a short ride then check it again

[Liveware Problem]

Thanks again all! I'll let you know how I get on..

[Joeman]

As another check, measure the gap between the wheel rim and the swing arm both sides at the front of the wheel. If that gaps the same both sides, assuming your wheel isn't buckled, your wheel will be pretty well aligned.

[TimR]

As another check, measure the gap between the wheel rim and the swing arm both sides at the front of the wheel. If that gaps the same both sides, assuming your wheel isn't buckled, your wheel will be pretty well aligned.

Some swing arms are not symmetrical due to the depth of brake parts and sprocket carriers hence the need sometimes for different sized spacers on the axle between wheel and swingarm so i would advise not to use this as a guage .

[rennie]

If you've got a spare few hours put chain adjustment into the site search box top right of the page

there are hundreds of posts about it!

[eastanglianbiker]

and you can always measure from the swinging arm pivot bolt to thecentre of the wheel axle bolt and get them even that way