Mastering Chain Tension: Yamaha FZ09, FJ09, and MT09 for Optimal Performance

[@billslicer3203]

Great tip on putting a wrench between chain and sprocket

[@OriginalUsername9000]

Adam Riemann did an amazing video on chain tension that really cleared everything up for me. It's titled "How to maintain your motorcycle" and he shows how the chain tension is affected by the swing arm travel and where chain tension actually matters.

[@mjpt9618]

Thanks for this

[@mohammedrahman3447]

You had some good tips and clear on your decision.

[@Calvinm]

Thank you! 👍

[@thorstenmetalhead9666]

Thanks for the best video on this topic! well explainted and straight to the point. Wish I would have known this earlier. I've tried to ride with Yamaha spec 15mm of chain slack... the chain has been way louder than usually and the bike really felt like an boatanker has been attached. Backed it of and ask my mechanic. He completly disbelieved such a massiv mistake by Yamaha... and researched the topic. He found out that they made a translation mistake between the japanese original text in the english version of the service manuel. 5-15mm would be ideal UNDER FULL COMPRESSION, when the sprocket axels and swing arm pivit point are in one line. this can not be measured for adjustment in practice! your aproach by about 45mm works well!

[@DigitalJeremy]

Your vids are quick to the point, and informative! Subbed!

[@Calvinm]

Glad you like them! Thank you!

[@raytokens2291]

I've only just changed my chain and sprockets on my tracer9, and I agree that the spec it too tight in the manual. I've done the same as you. Great vid bruv.

[@Calvinm]

Thanks Ray! How many miles or km’s did you do before changing your chain and sprocket?

[@raytokens2291]

@@Calvinm about 16000 miles, and they were done. It must have been the original chain and sprockets.

[@Aryan21able]

I too have yamaha and your videos are really helpful.

[@Calvinm]

Great to know! Thank you!

[@warmwatersloth6188]

I bought a new 2023 mt-09. At my 600 mile service that I did myself I checked the chain. The factory spec just seemed a bit too tight. I raced motocross for years and chain tension is something you get used to. The load on the swing arm is key. A small reference I have used is so how much slack is on the outside of the rear sprocket at 3 o’clock. If it is tight that is a good indication you aren’t too loose. But I could be wrong. In the end I did nothing to my chain at 600 miles it seemed fine. I agree the factory specs seem perhaps a hair too tight. Great video!

[@battlejitney2197]

Good trick with the 12 mil between chain and sprocket. Thanks for that!

[@Михайло-и1о]

There, the tightening of the axle nut has also changed. In the 2023 manual, 105nm/77fft. I had to replace the axle and nut(

[@cmddoubleh6501]

Are you sure that your torque wrench is right?

[@Михайло-и1о]

@cmddoubleh6501 ​yes, everything is fine with the torque wrench. New attorney.​

[@Carstend75]

Once again really useful for a novice like me👍🏼. Intend to adjust my chain tomorrow. Greetings and thanks from Denmark 🇩🇰😀

[@bccapone837]

great informative video , have you had any issues running the chain that loose , I'm thinking of running 30mm as I ride with a pillion and at 25mm there's not as much play as I thought, do you think I could run 30 - 35 mm without any chain derailment happening

[@Calvinm]

I’ve had zero issues with the slack amount I discussed in the video. Even with my chain being well used it hasn’t had any issues with the greater slack.

[@bccapone837]

@@Calvinm great thank you , would 30mm be ok as it would leave me slack at full compression, and what made you go for the 40-45 if you don't mind me asking 👍🏼

[@dtsect]

2:47 what do you mean "if you have to make an adjustment..."? Wouldn't it be a must to adjust it so that it's consistent with the other side? or else the alignment will be off.

[@donnyazoff980]

Great video mate, I just followed it and adjusted my chain. Thanks for posting!

[@mariocasinetti158]

Hi my experience with yamaha gives you 100% credit on slack amount. I have a custom, xvs950 belt drive, which has a tight slack to be set. I put it precisely to manual spec and after 30k km I damaged drive gear bearing; I had to split open the engine to replace it. This tension error has to be a yamaha thing... I don't know.

[@pauljohnson1382]

Hi, help me understand something please. The manual says to measure from the chain guard to the center of the chain on the part of the chain being “pushed down” and that should read ~1.5”. Why is everyone measuring the distance from the chain extended upward and downward? Also, the manual says to loosen the axle nut on both sides of the swingarm, i only saw you loosen one? Thanks

[@scoob66]

trying to figure this exact same thing out myself, did you come up with anything?

[@scoob66]

If the procedure the manual says is true, my shit is almost an entire inch out of spec, past the point where they claim it can "damage the swing arm and frame" and its more likely to break

[@scoob66]

And that's the alignment it came with from the dealer 👀

[@costeabc]

I may be reading a different manual, but on mine it says to loosen the wheel axle nut(singular), and the drawing only shows one on the right side of the bike.

[@TheDogWithTheMan]

Did you ever figure this out? I’ve the same confusion

[@mrkthmn]

Thank you *so* much for making such a clear video on this service and for your thoughts on the chain tension. Gonna go do this on my MT09 with a bit more confidence now, haha!

[@Calvinm]

You are very welcome 😄

[@Szadafaka]

Manual says to check chain slack on side stand. I also ride with 40-45mm slack on my Tracer. Anyway 15mm is way to tight!

[@Calvinm]

In my 2015 FJ09 manual it says to measure while the bike is on centre stand. But an FZ09 service manual would likely have the procedure written for using the side stand because the bike didn’t comes with a centre stand. 15mm is too tight, glad we agree 👍 happy riding!

[@dieseldonny8874]

Thanks

[@Dan_Amboiii]

Hi mate, can you show how to adjust honda x adv 750 chain adjustment if can that will be great man!

[@whocarescamera3000]

I think when you drop the bike when going with more slack then spec, you risk your chain scraping the back of the foot stay. I have little ticks in the back of mine from drops..

[@ML-py3fx]

Thanks for your video. Super content 👍

[@Calvinm]

Thanks for the kind comment, glad you like the videos!

[@JeremyHansenblue2kid3]

2024 09 and 09sp calls for 36 -41mm

[@forrestkuester5592]

Did you have your rims painted to match the bike? It looks sweet!

[@Calvinm]

Ya the rear wheel was painted to match the bike, haven’t got around to the front yet but I like the look.

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

A cool video. :) Got my like.

[@Calvinm]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@JamesWatsonV]

This was helpful thank you

[@Calvinm]

Happy to help! 👍

[@thaspaniard]

What kind of mileage are you getting on your chain? I've gone through three chains on my 2014 FZ, first one got 20k miles (6k by previous owner), second one got 18k before developing a broken roller, and 14k miles on my most recent before it developed a severe tight spot. All were quality X-ring chains from DID and RK on steel sprockets. Two setups were on 520 chains... first and last, and the middle one was on 525. I regularly lube and adjust the chain. I typically keep the slack at 20-25mm. I'd expect more so I'm wondering if there is a measurable correlation between stack setting and chain life.

[@Melvinnn96]

Isn’t the chain loose when it’s on the midstand?

[@MrOnevia01]

I find my mt09 shifts much better with 15 mm slack. The drive chain just feels much smoother as well. Ive always wanted to take my shock out and do some measurements but I'm to lazy :)

[@mikulasvavra6083]

how can i do this without main stand or a way to get the back whell of the ground

[@richbinaz]

You need a rear wheel paddock stand. A cheap one will work (with mods) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmizYoetZp2ppNU

[@bleedsmetal]

Thank You .

[@Calvinm]

You're welcome!

[@danorourke6933]

The torque settings from yamaha are way too high. Several have ended up with stripped threads and have had to cut the nut off the axle. There is no reason to go above 75 ft/lb

[@Mo-xx9gg]

My manual says 45mm! 2023 XSR900

[@Calvinm]

Interesting! I wonder if it was a misprint back in 2015 that caused all this drama. Thanks for sharing this 👍

[@Mo-xx9gg]

@Calvinm it is entirely possible brother!

[@johannesmaas4080]

@@Calvinm MT09 from 2023 should be set to 36 to 41mm according to Yamaha specs. Think they fixed the manual

[@JasonPack]

Wow that's really interesting. Yamaha must be reading the forums :-)

[@MotoMatini]

From 2021 MT-09 is 90 % new bike.

[@Tinker3504]

Although too loose is generally “better” than too tight, it’s important to note the generation differences and how the swingarm lengths/pivot radius is different. Careful pulling people off of manufacturer spec with no mention of generational geometry changes. Go ahead, loosen that Gen 3 chain, your f up 😂 You should pull your shock in the next video and measure yourself to validate what you are telling folks.

[@Calvinm]

Of course, if someone has a different gen bike it would be advised to ensure this information matches their exact model. As for pulling the shock and measuring, motorcyclist magazine posted this article linked down below where Ari Henning did exactly what you are suggesting back in 2015. His findings were a 20mm loss of slack while moving through the suspension’s travel. I’m not trying to steer people into a dangerous of damaging situation. Simply trying to provide information for them to make an informed choice. Link: www.motorcyclistonline.com/how-tight-should-chain-be-new-bike-tech-tips-answers/ If you have any information regarding generation differences it would be helpful to have it here. Thanks for the comment! 👍

[@Tinker3504]

@@Calvinm mostly commented because your comments had folks with gen3’s AND different bikes (XSR/Tracer) commenting for some reason as if the advice on this video directly applied to them 🤦‍♂️

[@PHILIPWATSON82]

5-15 mm is ridiculous 🤦🏻‍♂️ You do right 40 is much better