I have noticed quite a large difference in chain tension between hot and cold ie I set to correct tension when cold, upon rechecking after a good run on a nice day it is now showing too tight (by about 3mm) wait till morning, check again (cold) and its back into correct specs I can't say that I have seen this before, has anyone else noticed this and when are others setting their tension hot or cold
Are you sure it’s not just a tight spot in the chain, try rotating the wheel and checking several different parts of the chain both hot and cold to rule that out.
Perhaps the adjustment figure cold takes into account thermal effects when hot? Mind you, I’d expect the chain to get longer as it heats up….
If it concerns you, adjust the chain to the slackest limit. One significant issue with every twin spar swing arm bike I’ve looked after, the alignment notches scribed on the side of the swing arm are for guidance, they are not accurate. I have a small, laser tool that sits on the chain against the sprocket which makes alignment much more accurate. Andy
Normally heat expands metals - maybe the swing arm gets hot (it is right by the cat) and expands a fraction? But I would have thought that the chain would also expand a bit in any case as that gets warm as well. I always do the adjustment cold and mark the 10mm bolt flats, it has only ever needed a small turn, at the most just one flat. I don't even look at the swing arm marks and use a laser alignment tool to check when it is all tight to make sure everything is in line.
I would guess the adjustment figure would allow for thermal effects too, but noting the large difference I'm surprised no mention of it in the handbook ie set hot or cold Yes, the chain being steel will expand when hot, but alloy (swingarm) does expand at a greater rate, and that's a bloody long swing arm
I agree with the OP .....When I first got my Multi I was messing around trying to get the chain tension right. I realised I needed to check and adjust when cold to get consistent settings.
Very easy to see too ....as we mutly users are blessed with the chain tension gauge ...which I use .....also very good for finding tight spots quickly (of which I have none... my chain is fairly new Goldy looking DID thing well looked after) ....
Bit confused as the tension should be correct when cold, and loose when hot, not tighter. The chain when cold is at standard base size, once hot the chain would expand thus becoming loose as the metal expands then contracts back to the base size once cold. Or have I read the post wrong.
I think it's the swingarm growing .....it is a big old chunk of aluminium....and it's heated by the rear header running through it.....and the cat .... The chain is whizzing along in relatively cool air
