Africa Twin CHAIN ADJUSTMENT. Do it RIGHT.

Chain adjustment. Nearly every manufacturer has a different way of solving this task. Here's how you do this on the Africa Twin , and do it RIGHT .
Why am I qualified to talk about this? The chain you see in the video has 20K miles on it and is the chain the bike came with from the factory. Still has likely 10k miles to go before it must be replaced. Likely will replace before that to stay ahead of it. I always recommend performing simple tasks on your bike with simple tools, preferably the tools you would have with you on a trip or off road. In this way, you can be certain that if something were to happen, you would be able to fix a break down.
PATREON / exploreadventuremoto
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[@ExploreAdventureMoto]

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[@gregc6661]

Honda made a small triangular marking on the plastic chain guard on the top side of the swing arm to indicate the halfway point between the two sprockets. It’s not that easy to find but it’s there if you look for it. To make future chain adjustment easier after setting the chain slack to factory specs with the bike on the side stand as prescribed in the owners manual, place the bike on the center stand and measure the chain slack again in that position. Then you can adjust your chain on the center stand each time using the new measurement.

[@spansinspain]

Excellent clear and to the point instruction. Much appreciated from Spain.

[@SwabbyG]

Love the DYI videos. I'm at 23k on my factory sprockets and chain on my Africa Twin and like yourself in no need of having to change them due to wear. However you talked me into the 16/44 sprocket combo so I'm installing them before the Palmetto ADV rally next month and the SCAR(South Carolina adventure route) Great video Travis.

[@Mr.shadoe]

Looking to pick up an AT after selling my current bike. Cool to see a tenured owner putting out content along the way!!

[@ktmron72]

Well done, No fancy tools needed. I do my 2016 manual AT the same way.

[@user-mj6fe5jf9z]

I agree about using the tools you carry on the bike for maintenance to familiarize yourself with what you have to use on the trail and make sure you have all the tools you need on the trail. What I don't agree with is your comment about not using the torque wrench on the rear axle nut. If I am in my shop I will use the trail tools but on re-assembly of such a critical bolt, I will put the torque wrench on it to make sure it is to spec for safety's sake. On the trial, the strong arm method is the only option. Otherwise, it is a good video on chain adjustment on an Africa Twin. The AT is the only bike I have ever had that chain adjustment is done on the side stand.

[@chaddthompson]

Good video. As far as using the tools I carry on the bike to do normal maintenance, I normally use the tools in my toolkit at least once at home to make sure they are adequate for the job but for daily at home maintenance I use the tools I have in my home tool chest. They are of higher quality and cause less wear to fasteners on the bike and to the tools themselves. That's my outlook on it anyway.

[@JCrozier1]

Looking good man. Just changed the chain on the V-Strom last week. Used nearly the same method.

[@jensmith2174]

Great instructions! A well done instruction video.

[@rosarioroberto5823]

Greetings As always excellent video 🇺🇸🍾🎉🇺🇸 Keep producing more videos

[@TRAVERSE_ADV]

The half way point has a small triangle mark on the top of the swing arm on the aide of the plastic chain guide.

[@srizzle-e8w]

Great video. I would suggest using a torque wrench when ever it is available. On the trail nobody cares about anything except coming home. In the comfort of home skipping steps like that isn't a good way to go about motorcycle maintenance.

[@unclebadger597]

Hey that's smart to just mark the swingarm. I've been thinking about a white paint pen so I can write my PSI on each tire so I don't have to second guess myself and look it up every single time 😄

[@africanpenguin3282]

Think it's on that sticker for psi

[@mojo4376]

I’ve noticed on my 2022 that the bike seems to like the chain on the tighter side or you get chain slap and rattle.

[@davidhanger5795]

Sort of interesting that we use Imperial measurements here in the U.S. even though we left the British Empire and the Japanese use the metric system even though they were an empire.

[@RandyMcCotter]

At 5:47, it looks like you have a pretty good slice in the tire

[@ExploreAdventureMoto]

Nope. That’s part of the reflective band coming off. Last 805 I got, only one available had a reflective strip on it.

[@RandyMcCotter]

@@ExploreAdventureMoto …. Whew…. Tires aren’t cheap, I’m glad that all it is.

[@ExploreAdventureMoto]

@@RandyMcCotter already have another set sitting ready to go on this week. These are about wore out finally.

[@RandyMcCotter]

@@ExploreAdventureMoto … going with a different brand? I have the Mitas E07+ and they’re a good tire but they leak around the rim

[@ExploreAdventureMoto]

@@RandyMcCotter sticking with the same combo I’ve been running. TKC80 front, Shinko 805 rear.

[@Supernova12034]

got a 22 model, manual says to check from the top of the swingarm 🤷‍♂

[@UncleWally3]

Wonder why (if?) the OEM chain/sprocket is better than the aftermarket offerings? That aside, my moto has been “a slappy chain is a happy chain” but maybe not so much on the AT DCT?

[@ExploreAdventureMoto]

I’ve let it get a bit loose before adjusting at times and it didn’t have any adverse affects, but not to the point of slapping. Dirt bike is a different story. I run that with a lot more slack. I’ve been adjusting mine this way and the only time I’ve swapped the chain is when I added two teeth in the rear. Didn’t even notice any premature wear on the OEM sprockets. 🤷‍♂️

[@amado1957]

Hey we have the same model bike …except mine is a 2019 DCT….question for you, if you put yours on the center stand and spin the rear wheel with your hand, is your chain really quiet when rolling over the front sprocket?….mine is making noise…not a lot, but have have a ticking or knocking sound….while a spin forward and backward…I dont see excessive wear, or sharp teeth…can you test yours?

[@ExploreAdventureMoto]

Is your chain dry? Maybe just needs a bit of lube. It does make some sound but nothing I haven’t heard on any other chain driven bike more or less.

[@baldandbiking]

It looked like you just tightened one side, but maybe left doing the other side out of the video. I'm still hesitant to do this myself, concerned I'll get the alignment wrong or improper torque.

[@ExploreAdventureMoto]

Correct. Only one side made the video. Horrible lighting on the other side

[@daven5324]

What kind of lube do you use

[@ExploreAdventureMoto]

Motul cleaner and lube

[@JAES1]

great review on this and lube\;]