Many sport bikes from the 1990s onward do not have a main stand (center stand) and are side stand-only models. When adjusting the drive chain on such bikes, the rear tire is not floating, which is known to be not easy to work with.
Nevertheless, the drive chain will always stretch, so the adjustment work must be done.
Here we will practice drive chain adjustment on the subject of the new Daks ST125, which is equipped only with a side stand.
- Older models are side-only from moped to large
- Complete immobilization of the front wheels is the first requirement for adjustment work.
- Thin wrenches are used to make sure the work is done right.
Older models are side-only from moped to large
Many motorcycles introduced after the 1990s do not have a main stand. This is not a problem for shaft-drive models, but for models that are rear-wheel driven by a drive chain, regular maintenance is essential. Clean & apply chain grease when dirty.
When increased play = stretched chain, it must be adjusted with a chain adjuster. The amount of play in the drive chain varies from model to model, so check the amount of play by reading the caution mark attached somewhere on the body (often around the chain case) or in the owner’s manual. The amount of play on the Daks ST125 was indicated by a caution decal attached to the chain case, which stated that the maximum runout was 35 mm.
Complete immobilization of the front wheels is the first requirement for adjustment work.
If there is only a side stand, adjustment work is really difficult. A maintenance stand that lifts the swing arm from below would be useful, but when it is not available, a pantograph jack for automobiles can be used. A maintenance tool that lifts one side of the swing arm when the front wheel and side stand is on the ground is also available, but a lever lock that keeps the brake lever depressed to prevent the front tire from rolling when lifting the rear area with the side stand is useful to keep the front tire from rolling when lifting up the rear area with the side stand. This is because if work proceeds without securing the front wheel, the bike will move forward and fall over. Be careful!
Thin wrenches are used to make sure the work is done right.
The tools and work procedures differ depending on the chain adjuster structure, but the new Dax uses the conventional type for chain adjustment. Push and pull the adjustment blocks on the left and right sides of the swing arm to keep the chain play (runout) within the specified value, while adjusting the knurled lines of the adjustment blocks on the left and right sides of the axle to the same position. For the type that has an adjustment nut and lock nut, a thin-sided wrench is recommended for easier work. It is convenient to have a wrench.