Racer X Films: How to Adjust Chain Tension on a Dirt Bike

Have you ever wondered how a factory mechanic would do a number of bike maintenance tasks? Well, wonder no longer. We have teamed up with Namura Technologies and former factory mechanic Scott Adkins of Pro SX MX Tech to show you exactly how the professional teams in the pits of Monster Energy Supercross and Lucas Oil Pro Motocross go about taking care of their rides.
Scotty's got credentials, too; he's worked as a mechanic on both series for 12 years and wrenched with some top talent like Nick Wey, Ryan Sipes, Jeremy Martin, and Christophe Pourcel, to name a few. So sit back, relax, and in this installment, you'll learn how to properly adjust your chain tension.
At a glance:
Remove the rear shock so that you're able to freely move the swingarm up and down. See where the chain tension is all the way through the arch, if it starts to bind anywhere in the process the chain is too tight. Ideally, you'd like a little bit of slack where it passes the halfway point of the arch, which is where it's most tight. During your races, that's where the swingarm is, generally around the middle of the arch since it's moving up and down constantly. After you've found the sweet spot, put the rear shock back on. Next, go ahead and measure the amount of slack you have right off the back of the chain slider while pushing down on the chain and keep that number in mind for future adjustments. In our case on this YZ250F, it was about 15mm.
ABOUT NAMURA TECHNOLOGIES
Pistons and Gaskets Coming from decades of Powersports aftermarket manufacturing, Namura continues to impress riders and dealers alike with their aggressive development and innovative product design and manufacturing in MX and ATV Pistons and Gaskets. Based out of the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Namura is taking piston quality and durability to another level.
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[@timpmcfadden]

You can also just just set the chain tension by measuring the slack like most manuals say. Seems like taking off the rear shock creates a lot of extra work with very little benefit.

[@bikersoncall]

@@chupacabraracing181 ?

[@DatGloriaVires]

Yeah I was like ummmmmm

[@johnscott9829]

WTF you suggest everyone remove their rear shock to determine chain adjustment. You probably don't need to do any more of these kind of videos.

[@deanknipp]

He's trying to show how at different angles how the chain can get tight! He's not saying you need to do this every time it's to just get to know where your current bike new to you might bind up at certain angles

[@brandonwl]

shock doesn't need to be removed for almost every bike. Just remove a couple of bolts connected to the shock and the swing arm will move just fine. Takes 5 minutes

[@GOONRID3RFRANKLIN]

The pourcel stand is freakin cool

[@ryancornelius1007]

Nice video, i feel the chain is to loose on my. 22 yz450 but off the owners manual its where it says. Just seems loose and i can hear it at times. Im a newer rider to dirt bikes got about a year under my belt.

[@caydenthompson126]

How old is this video? Pourcel's bike?

[@lamarkx2259]

Checking this out, hopefully I don’t need a chain tighten yet. How often should I do it if anyone knows

[@wigglesthewiggler420]

Literally after every ride it should be checked and adjusted

[@jarrod1687]

Really, I've done 2000kms without adjusting, does sound a little loud though

[@lewisparry2474]

Would you repeat this process if you were to say change out a front or rear sprocket for a larger or smaller size?

[@chazzgonzalez1356]

Each tooth makes a difference so yes

[@jerrystatic256]

I guess i missed where it showed how to adjust the chain tension, as the title says.

[@chrisbilling]

You never showed how to adjust the chain tension bro. That’s literally the title of the video

[@carsonmann3453]

Need to actually show how to adjust it physically if it's in the video title

[@cadenevans2183]

Horrible how to video would never remove suspension to tighten the chain

[@bikersoncall]

Agreed..

[@floydwilcox2640]

Oh yeah, because everyone removes their rear shock to adjust their chain 😜

[@TheChaz81]

Yeeeeaaaaa No! I understand what you're trying to show but you're just confusing all the new people!