CHAIN ADJUSTMENT!! - 2018 KTM 390 DUKE!!

[@hiltonmcconnell2563]

When I read the manual it said to do it with the rear wheel off the ground I think that would make a big difference. I have the KTM 390 Adventure.

[@benjaminvolesky1653]

Thank you for taking the time and effort making this video. I got tired of rewinding videos from not understanding heavy accents from all the other how to vids on the Dukes.

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

Thanks for your kind words and support. As I get more familiar with the bike and services come up I may end up doing more and more videos on this bike. Thanks again for your support. Cheers!

[@HienPham-hk9yj]

The upper chain should be taut when the lower chain is taking slack measurement. What it means is that the value of slack is taken up to the point until: movement of the lower chain causes movement of the upper part of the chain. That's the real play of the chain.

[@tammyclifton1312]

Nice and easy to follow thanks for the help I'm away to do mine right now with confidence xx

[@chriswest2290]

Cheers Justin. Really good communication in your videos.. Great content, take care👍🏻.

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

I appreciate that. Glad you enjoyed the video.Cheers!

[@Paulie3051]

Can you make a video on how to adjust valves. I have a 2019 KTM 390 Duke. I am in Germany. I took it to device for 15,000KM, rode it for a week or so, but I can hear a noise, and thinking they did not adjust the valves. It’s under warranty. But I now don’t trust the shop I took it too. That’s also where I bought it.

[@MKBENTOT]

Makes no difference if on kickstand or on stand. I’ve done both. But if the chain is too tight the wheel and axle will need to move forward and that will be easier done on the stand.

[@TheJWC56RSA]

Thanks! Best is for the rear wheel to be off the ground when checking / adjusting the chain tension...

[@darkchi6926]

I was wondering about that..

[@arundev3231]

Can you mention the size of tools used loke wrench and ratchet sizes

[@ohgeez209]

Appreciate the video man! Thank you for your guidance and input on chain tightening.

[@arashstar98]

I remember having my chain at the motor custom shop, it was too tight that the chain adjusted, and damn you can really feel the chain being "clanky" and sounded painful to listen. Have to fix it on my own at home, damn moments.

[@rosenbergerstudios8865]

Its hard to tell, but when you are taking your measurements the chain is NOT touch the swing arm, correct? You are pushing the chain up to the swing arm and you are left with a 1/4 inch gap? Trying to understand, thanks

[@User_Brandon]

Hi there, when you measure the 5-7mm are you doing it from the lip of the swingarm to the chain or are you measuring from the slightly higher part behind the lip?

[@user-fu3fh5tz3k]

Thanks from South Korea. I need to adjust my svartpilen 401's chain

[@flyver]

I'm confused - the manual does not specify this. Do you measure from the center of the chain, or the top or the bottom? the chain is more than 10mm thick, so it makes a big difference.

[@HienPham-hk9yj]

Preferrably the part that's going to hit the swingarm i.e'. the top of the link

[@mrtopbreak333]

I see someone has said the job was done incorrectly, well maybe he should clarify what they think you did wrong? I will make one comment and that is you should have done a close up of the measurement, other than that seems good.

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

I was off by one little line on one side. Not a big deal, but I'm glad it was corrected before I had uneven tire wear. The process is the same. If I had a Bike stand it would have been easier than eyeballing it from the ground with the kickstand down.

[@kevinsdb1]

Seems simple enough. Now I just got to get the tools. Missing the 22mm socket. Biggest I got is 20mm

[@wramos17]

Appreciate the video I have a Svartpilen 401 and this helped out

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

Thanks Brotherman! I appreciate it. Glad I could help in any way. Cheers!

[@Bellagracevlogs]

I appreciate the video it helped me and what I appreciate more is your a fucking warrior 💪 AIRBORNE RANGER thanks for your dedication and service to our country!!!!!!!!!

[@MrXclusivE12]

I'm confused why do you have to push the chain up to measure? Thanks for the vid very helpful! And btw, that's a sick torque wrench

[@imlisunep1]

My bike vibrates after I changed my front sprocket what reason it could be? The service center guy told me that I have to chain both of the sprocket and chain 😔😔

[@jhernandez77794]

Thank you great video

[@alastairtheduke]

Do you have to use a 1/2 in drive on the right side or can one use a 3/8 drive breaker bar?

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

You might be able to uses 3/8. go back through the video and see what the final torque setting is. that will give you an idea on how much pressure you will need to apply in order to remove the fastener. Cheers and good luck. :)

[@llib90630]

an improper chain adjustment probably won't kill you but it will wear out the sprockets for sure

[@radgiegamer935]

Can you tell me where to measure from is it the top of the chain from bottom of the swing arm as in the bit under the lip ?

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

RadgieGamer Top of the Chain to the bottom of the swing arm. And your measuring at about the midway point of the swing arm where it looks like an “X”

[@radgiegamer935]

Justin Dow thanks but if you look underneath the swing arm it drops a little is it from the bottom of the lip sorry for the questions but it’s really confusing and 5 to 7 mm can change a lot depending where u measure from

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

RadgieGamer True True. Good to know. When I took my KTM for service I actually found out that I had it slightly misaligned. He fixed it for me haven’t had a problem since. I wish I knew more and could help you better. Ask as many questions as you can it never hurts to ask.

[@radgiegamer935]

Justin Dow thanks, atm just eye balling it I have noticed when loose the gear changes feel abit clicky have you noticed this ?

[@duncanmillar277]

@@radgiegamer935 Good question. In my opinion the 5-7mm gap s/b measured from btm (flat) surface of swinging arm and not btm of the lip. That said btm of lip is around 5mm deep from btm of arm, so having a 2mm gap from btm of lip to top of chain will achieve overall 7mm gap. (My friend's 990 Duke has no lip on swinging arm and gap is to be measured off it's flat btm.)

[@CiprianCosma15]

Hi. Have you tried to do a valve check?

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

Not Yet. I'm waiting until the suggested serrvice interval. SO once I hit 4,750 miles I will tackle that beast. Cheers and thanks for your interest.

[@CiprianCosma15]

@@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway Oh. That's interesting. Because if you call all the service center for KTM they say at 600 miles (first service interval) there is an inspection for valve clearence recommended. I am thinking to do it myself since is an expensive job.

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

@@CiprianCosma15 That's what I was told as well. They charge me $250 to do an oil change and said that valve clearance was not on the recommended inspection portion until 4750 which was when my next oil change was do as well. Needless to say I don't think they did anything because I lost half my oil in 1k from time of last service. So either the KTM burns a shit tone of oil or they never changed it to begin with. Know what I mean? When I get to that point I wil do it myself and I will do a video and walk everyone through the process. It should be that hard. It's a single piston so one valve for intake one valve for exhaust and the clearance is indicated on the frame and in your owners manual. Take a look at your owners manual. I bet, like my oil change, it will walk you through the process as well.

[@MrXclusivE12]

​@@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway It's happened to me too. It's been 2k km (1.5k miles) since my initial service, got check engine light and just realized oil is EMPTY! (nothing showing up on indicator screen)

[@duncanmillar277]

I spoke w/KTM USA re valve clearance check interval, they said initial check not required on later models given factory having better control of assy/build tolerances.

[@ErichWilhelmVW]

It's the same process for the RC390 right?

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

Should be. Not much different from one another. Cheers!

[@ErichWilhelmVW]

Appreciate the reply! Just did it earlier today haha

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

@@ErichWilhelmVW NP Cheers Brosuff!

[@MrFlashx1]

Haha the life of a mechanic is check and test lol

[@JustinDowDIYcentralhighway]

SJ Dawson So True.

[@john_Tamil_man]

Fucking long video

[@jeanclaudelandou1400]

Nul. Nul .

[@uredskivid]

Wrong ! Chain is best adjusted with weight on the seat and wheels on the ground . Reason ? the arc of wheel travel changes the tension .Add weight chain tightens. FAIL .

[@DoubleRuination]

I think your method would result in a loose chain. KTM recommends the specific unweighted chain slack because they anticipate the weight of the rider or rider and passenger taking up the additional chain slack.

[@VA-gu1jq]

This comment was a FAIL. The irony..