Adjust the Chain on a Honda VT750 ACE Shadow Motorcycle

[@ccodyskates]

This is the most informative video I found on KZbin for adjusting a chain on a shadow. Subscribed. Thank you!

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you!! I appreciate you watching and thank you for subscribing!

[@peterb4809]

Thank you so much for these videos. Only been riding for a year now and want to start maintaining my bike myself. Especially the oil change and chain maintenance before each season. 🍻

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching, Peter! I'm glad these vids are helping! Stay safe!

[@jean-francoisleger]

What a great video Dennis. I I will follow your instruction and do the job with confidence. Pretty sure to succeed, thanks to you.

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching, Jean-François!

[@martinking4476]

Another great video Dennis , my chain needs adjusting and watching you show how it's done is far better than reading the manual

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching, Martin! I'm glad this vid helped!

[@craigstuckless425]

Thanks. I was following my manual, but this made it much easier. I also used an adjustable on the opposite side. Worked great! Thanks

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you Craig.... I appreciate you watching and leaving a comment. Glad this helped!

[@ofrg]

Excellent video, well explained with attention to the detail that makes all the difference! Thanks!

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching, Murray! I appreciate it!

[@mjharris89]

Best video I've seen on this subject. Nice ranger in the background.

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks Michael! I appreciate it. Yea that's a 1994 Ranger. It's my youngest son's...we went thru it, did a little work, replaced some stuff etc. It's a nice truck. the 4.0L runs like a beast. He got a kick out of you mentioning his truck on here.

[@silversage3102]

So glad I disovered your channel! Thanks!😊

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you for watching!

[@ronpetty6685]

As far as jacking up bike, i use motorcycle straps on each side of the front of bike so when i use my floor jack (with a square wood block), the bike stays upright while lifting. Works great

[@dwcoffey]

I think that's the nest way, Ron. Thanks for sharing that. I strap mine to the jack from each side also and it works like a champ. Thanks for watching!

[@MotorBitesLV]

very well made video with plenty of info, good on you man!

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you so much for the kind words! Thanks for watching too!

[@billmeloche4918]

Good articulation:) Informative Video...Thanks

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching, Bill!

[@tsundokus]

Honestly you help me out so much thanks

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you very much for watching! I'm glad the video helped!

[@tsundokus]

@@dwcoffey the shadow RS is pretty much the exact same layout wheel wise and it was my first tire replacement your video was supper detail even saying how many pounds each bolt was thanks for that

[@johngomes688]

Nice video. Very easy to follow. Thank You.

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you John. I appreciate you watching and leaving a comment!

[@StevenGantSr]

Nice video thanks

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you sir!

[@Hullabullah]

Very nice Video Was Very helpfully. Thanks for making it Dennis

[@dwcoffey]

I'm glad to hear it was helpful. Thanks very much for watching!

[@jaimegarcia264]

Ive watched a few of your videos great stuff thanks for the help

[@dwcoffey]

Jaime, thanks so much for watching! I appreciate it and I'm glad the videos are of help to you!

[@Joseph-vh5fh]

Excellent tutorial, thanks!

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you Joseph! I appreciate you watching!

[@jacen17]

Thanks for the video Dennis! Good stuff.

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you very much Jason. I appreciate you watching!

[@gittyupalice96]

I learned a few things about Honda shadows over the years I'll share this one. Mine is a 2005 model year spirit 750, it has an OEM O-Ring style chain. That being said you do not ever need to lubricate an O-ring chain, the only thing they require number 1 to be kept clean of debris, and number 2 to be rust proof. That being said a high detergent motor oil like what diesel trucks use will cut through dirt and grime better than gear oil will, making cleaning with a tooth brush way faster! As well as rust proofing it at the same time. I let mine sit over night and drip on cardboard, by the next day when I ride I usually only have a tiny bit of splatter on the rim wich can be easily wiped off. Hope this helps guys! But if you run your bike for months without lubing the chain, its perfectly fine and will not hurt anything! It has lube sealed in the rollers, just don't use any oil with seal swellers built in (high mileage oil) for example, because they will expand your o-rings and cause the chain movement to damage the o-rings and your grease will leak out of the rollers. So use a basic diesel oil like Shell Rotella for diesel trucks (and its cheap) ;) Cheers (Oh speaking of oil, for the engine I tried several types and brands including Honda's HP4, found the bike loves AMSOIL 10w-40 Metric Motorcycle oil... MUCH better clutch feel, and the engine runs smoother and quieter)

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching! and don't use kerosene to clean and o-ring chain....this old practice, which works great on standard chain, will destroy the o-rings in a sealed chain. I also like to use wax on my chain....no splatter and it gives it some rust-proofing. Thanks very much for sharing your tips!

[@jaredbar23]

Thanks man. Helped a lot.

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching!

[@JimmyLarsen1]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you for watching, Jimmy!

[@marshalllinker8904]

Good video appreciate the help. Have a question hoping u could lmk wat u think. I'm starting to hear a whining sound coming from sprocket it seems like what could that be?

[@dwcoffey]

Hey Marshall, thanks for watching! It could be your chain needs lube, the chain needs to be tightened, the chain is worn too much or the sprocket is worn too much. I'd check all those things and I suspect you'll find the problem. I hope that helps!

[@Hoodrich_Rod]

Spot on man appreciate you

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you for watching, Rodney!

[@johnhowelljr314]

Thanks brother good video I have a 03 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 not an ace though

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks John, I appreciate you watching!

[@wayneoswald3906]

Hey Dennis, if you have the factory tool kit, behind the left side cover, there should be a 27mm in there.

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching, Wayne! Yes sir, there is. It's just got such a short handle, I only use it if I have to.

[@wayneoswald3906]

@@dwcoffey thank you for your channel, I have referenced it a few times for help with my 99 ACE

[@philipavila7195]

About to go to red River bike rally and going two up same chain slack?

[@dwcoffey]

Yes sir, that's what I ride. About 3/4" slack with me and my wife on the bike. No problems. Thanks for watching!

[@ABV_Lawncare]

hey Dennis I have a 98 ace 750 and put a new chain on it.. It has about 150 miles on it right now and was wondering how long until it stops stretching or if there's anything I can do to make it stop stretching.... I would take it out fully adjusted then once I get home after about a 20 mile ride it has about a quarter inch to Hal an inch more slack than it should. Was wondering if you would have a more helpful answer for me, thanks

[@dwcoffey]

Hi Andrew, thanks for watching my video! There are couple of things to consider. First, be sure you are not over-tightening the chain. That will increase stretch and wear significantly. You should adjust the chain for 3/4" to 1" of vertical play at the mid point of the chain. In my experience, new chains will stretch a lot over the first 500 miles or so. Some brands/types will strecth more than others too. Once you get to that point, the stretching should ease off a lot and the chain should only require adjustment every 2000 miles or so....I think the mileage depends a LOT on your bike, your chain and how you ride though, so your mileage may vary :)

[@jerryjensen9500]

Hi Dennis. I just bought a 2018 Aero. How about a valve adjust video?

[@dwcoffey]

Hi Jerry, thankfully, I haven't had to adjust my valves yet! As soon as I do, I'll definitely make a vid. Thanks for watching!

[@steveposey5607]

Thanks Dennis, you're the shit.

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks Steve! I appreciate you watching!

[@davidx6912]

Good stuff, well explained, easy to follow steps. But wouldn't it be nice to sometimes find vid's for guys who don't have their own personal garages or bike lifts, and have to do this stuff on the street, in the real world.

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you for watching, David! I should have mentioned in the video that this adjustment can be made without a lift. I try to show these repairs/adjustments/etc so that a person can do them with just hand tools where possible. You can make this adjustment, just as I show it with the bike on the kick stand. I should have mentioned that in the video.

[@davidx6912]

@@dwcoffey Cheers, Dennis, and thanks for clarifying. Keep those helpful videos coming! I got down in the dirt and got the job done yesterday. 😅👍

[@kevinf2008]

Cheers for this video. It'll come in handy in a few days for me. Was that a DD sticker I seen on the swing arm on the left side of the bike?

[@dwcoffey]

Hey Kevin, It is a 'Support Disciples' sticker....not DD, but Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club. I rode with them for a couple of years. Great group of guys....full patch club offering a Christian alternative to 1%ers wanting to leave the less desirable part of the lifestyle behind but retain the brotherhood. They've reached a lot of folks and done a lot of good.

[@kevinf2008]

Dennis Coffey I didn't know that. That sounds like a good plan. I'm not part of any MC or MCC. But I work with a few boys who are in MC's and MCC's here in Ireland. I've heard stories about the 1% clubs and full patch clubs here. I'm very interested in them but NOT interested in joining any of them. Anyway, keep up the good videos. I could be asking you for help if I run into trouble on my Shadow. Love from Ireland. 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🍀🍀🍀

[@dwcoffey]

I agree about the clubs....nothing against them, just not for me. I have a lot of friends who are in MCs, some 1%ers....great guys that can always be counted on. I just don't have the time and tend to ride alone most of the time anyway. Yes, please...if I can help in any way, I'll do my best. If you don't mind me asking, where in Ireland are you? I've been there 3 times with my Dad and I love it there. We've met so many good folks there, made lots of good friends and of course, the sights are just beautiful.

[@kevinf2008]

Dennis Coffey I'm from a town called Dundalk. It's in Co. Louth. Just south of the border with Northern Ireland.

[@dwcoffey]

Yes sir...I've not visited Dundalk yet. I think the closest I've come is Carrickmacross in Co. Monaghan. Maybe on a future trip!

[@lukemangan3809]

Hi Dennis, Today I had to tighten my chain on the 98 shadow 750. When I got it to where I wanted it to be, the adjusters were not flush with any of the graduation marks, in fact they more basically just ahead of the second, sort of in “no man’s land” if you can picture that. Is that normal? In other words, can the scale be at any point or does a graduation mark always have to match up to the reference mark on the swing arm? Also, I’m afraid I didn’t match each side up perfectly, maybe they’re like half a millimeter off from one another. Is this detrimental to the rear wheel axel? Like does a tiny fraction of a difference on each side’s scale result in crooked wheel axel? Sorry for the long wordy questions.

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching, Luke! I don't get too concerned about where on the scale my indicators line up, but I do take extra care to be sure both sides are in the same spot. This helps insure the axle is perpendicular to the chain which will improve chain and sprocket life.

[@bones2405]

helpful video man! thanks...

[@dwcoffey]

Yes sir! Thank you!

[@bones2405]

do I need to be concerned about the alignment of my rear wheel? the markers on my left side are very distinct and precise, the right side, not so much...

[@dwcoffey]

Yes, you need to have it as close on both sides as possible. You should be able to start both sides at the same point, count turns and keep both sides pretty close.

[@bones2405]

ok, sounds good, thanks!

[@Ladosligese]

ohhh so i dont have to tork down the nut side only ? .. nice .. was about to remove my exhaust haha

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you for watching!!

[@lukemangan3809]

Also, if I felt like I needed to loosen the chain a bit to find the right slack, is it as simple as doing the opposite of tightening it? Or is it once you tighten you cant go back?

[@dwcoffey]

Yes sir, to loosen the chain, just turn your adjusters opposite of tightening them. Keep each side lined up evenly and you'll be fine. Thanks for watching!

[@jacekmaniak]

Nice video, thanks

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you Jack. I appreciate you watching!

[@abisaelrodriguez3293]

So my chain is the blue area but is loose by like 20mm does that mean I have to adjust it or get a new chain? It’s my first bike FYI

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching, Abisael! You should have 15mm-20mm vertical play in the chain when tensioned. Don't worry too much about the blue area on the swingarm, just adjust the chain until you get the correct amount of play. Once you ride that chain for 50 miles or so, you'll need to adjust it again as it will stretch. Then it should be good for a while. Be sure to adjust each side evenly, so your axle is perpendicular to the swingarm

[@abisaelrodriguez3293]

Thanks for the answer and are you suppose to have a wrench on the other side when you break torque on the right side ?

[@dwcoffey]

@@abisaelrodriguez3293 Yes.

[@bobyluppo]

Thank you !

[@dwcoffey]

Yes sir! Thanks for watching!

[@MrJo1340]

is it possible to perform this with out a lift? I just don't want to go out and buy a lift. I have a 2003 ACE. Are there any other ways to get the back tire up safely?

[@dwcoffey]

Yes, the back tire does not have to be off the ground to adjust the chain. You can do it with the bike on the kickstand...no problems or special instructions.

[@MrJo1340]

+Dennis Coffey thanks! !! cheers! !

[@herbietdi]

Homemade lift from 2x4 and 2x6 scraps I had lying around my home. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iH3Ceoygg82rhLM

[@garyteague9555]

thanks

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching, Gary!

[@FallenMonk55]

Thank you

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you for watching!

[@ringhunter100]

All tools needed can be had at harbor freight or eBay w/free shipping ......prepare before you dare!

[@dwcoffey]

Good point! I hate starting a job only to find out that I don't have all the tools I need.....it is very frustrating. I don't always remember but I try to include a description of all the tools you'll need to do the jobs I video. Thanks very much for watching!

[@brandonking8152]

I have a 1999 Shadow 750 Ace, I adjusted my chain and now there’s is an awful squeal from the rear tire whenever I pull off. I’ve only rode it about 2 miles before going back home to figure the problem out. Any ideas? Torqued the axel bolts too much possibly?

[@dwcoffey]

Hey Brandon, yes, sounds like you have the axle nuts too tight. They should be torqued too 69 ft-lbs. Also check to be sure you have the tension adjusters at the same position on each side....you could be putting the wheel in a bind if the axle isn't square to the swingarm.

[@brandonking8152]

@@dwcoffey awesome! Thank you so much, I’ll definitely be giving her a look tomorrow to see if that’s the issue!!

[@brandonking8152]

@@dwcoffey gonna bother you once more, what brand of chain do you prefer? I would prefer a clip type as you have but I’m not sure where to start. (My first chain driven bike.)

[@dwcoffey]

Hey Brandon, no bother at all sir. Bikemaster, EK and DID are quality chains, they will be more expensive than others. I've also used cheaper Regina and JT Sprockets chains with no problem. I recommend an o-ring chain as they take less maintenance and last longer. I only used rivet chains for a long time, then tried a clip chain. Clip chains are all I use now. I've never had a problem and they are easier to deal with. Let me know if I can help.

[@SCDCutty]

Sin city disciples? Saw the support sticker

[@dwcoffey]

Thanks for watching! No, I used to ride with Disciple Christian MC.

[@mikekirk6392]

Is that a wider than stock rear tire?

[@pondovillage]

+Mike Kirk He's using a real high quality tire, the Michelin Commander II series, but it is the OEM size: 170/80-15. I run Dunlop D404s on mine, same size but a more basic cruising tire.

[@dwcoffey]

+Mike Kirk Hi Mike, thanks for the question. pondovillage is correct.....I'm running a Michelin Commander II tire, but it is the stock size, 170/80-15.

[@ricardomunoz2010]

wouldnt that throw your bike out of alignment?

[@dwcoffey]

+Goku Not at all, this is the factory recommended method to adjust the chain. If you make sure both adjusters are on the smae mark, the axle will be aligned properly.

[@ricardomunoz2010]

+Dennis Coffey thanks for the quick reply dennis! im not sure if you mentioned this in the video but how did you lift your bike up. would it be easier to just get a rear tire lift or is doing it with a jack the same... also what tips can you give to someone whos never worked on bikes before. i plan on doing the whole chain and sprocket replacement and although i have (some) experience working on cars im very new to motorcycles. i have a 2001 honda shadow spirit btw. its a hell of a bike :)

[@dwcoffey]

+Goku I use a Sears Craftsman Motorcyle/ATV Lift. I have a video showing it's use (kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2i7hWt5mt2Mgbs ) . To adjust your chain, you don't need a lift at all, and can do it with the bike resting on the kickstand. To do the chain and sprocket replacement, you'll need some type of lift that won't get in the way of removing the rear tire. See my other video showing how to removing and replacing the rear wheel (kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYmxhpuIp7ecsJY ) ....it may help. As far as working on bikes in general....search the interweb to see if you can find a shop manual for your particular bike. That helps tremendously if you read the procedures well before doing them, and follow the steps outlined. Since you are familiar with working on cars, you shouldn't have problems with the mechanical concepts etc...the biggest thing to be careful of is dropping the bike. Make sure you have it secured always. Otherwise, take your time, read as much as you can about servicing your particular bike and have fun. Always follow torque specs, etc. Since you have a Shadow, check out www.hondashadow.net....it was very helpful when I first got started. Lot of helpful folks on there.

[@Joe_mama177]

Thank you!!!

[@dwcoffey]

Thank you for watching!