Rebel 500 Chain Adjustment

Just a quick overview of how to adjust the chain tension on the new series ('17-'19) Honda rebel 300 and 500
Rear tire stand: www.amazon.com/TRACKSIDE-Rear...

[@Josh-cd4pt]

Thank you! First person to mention the hex size on the left side of axle 🙏

[@zo4199]

Thanks chief, had to do this today with my rebel after I found I had three inches of slack in the chain, when the recommended is only one and a quarter inches lol.

[@spartancaptain5691]

Thanks for the video, really helped me fix my bike. Mine seemed to be quite loose. I have the same chain from when I got the bike in 2017.

[@Gromtrooper6189]

Glad it could help!

[@Thaadd]

Thanks for making this. Bought a used Rebel 500 and the chain was a little loose, and it's my first bike.

[@Gromtrooper6189]

Glad it was helpful! Great choice in first bike for sure

[@rayweber7088]

Great video! Thank you.

[@michaelshelnutt1779]

Great review - thanks for this !

[@Gromtrooper6189]

Glad it was helpful!

[@IIDelta]

So the thing is, the locking bolts on both sides also have a torque spec of 15 ft lbs. So someone following this may be opening themselves up to issues of these bolts coming off after awhile. It's difficult without a torque wrench attachment (to a regular wrench) since you won't be able to hold the allen screw still. I don't have an attachment. So I tighten the chain to spec with some give, then tighten the bolt with a wrench like you did, then *finish it off* with with the torque wrench. Measure chain slack afterwards to make sure it still falls within spec

[@udellcalzadillaschavez3765]

What is the size of the wrench on the right side?

[@shadetreesurgeon]

Subscribed! Love that red stripe on the bike

[@Gromtrooper6189]

Thanks on both counts!

[@Motopro_performance]

Thanks mate

[@Gromtrooper6189]

Happy to help

[@paulwaggoner7536]

Is the trackside stand very secure with holding the rebel up?Would it be strong enough to hold up the bike to take the rear wheel off?I eventually want to get to the point of doing the bike maintenance myself!

[@Gromtrooper6189]

Great question! The answer is yes to both. I've even had much heavier bikes like my Sportster on it with no issue.

[@GoProshosoccer]

Any issues if you’re loosening the axle nut and realize after a while that the left but (14mm hex) is spinning along with it? I realized that after first breaking it loose. As in is it okay if the left nut ended up spinning several times?

[@Gromtrooper6189]

No issues with this at all. Worse case scenario you end up scraping up the finish a little bit but its on the inside where no one is going to see it. I've gotten in the habit of just sticking the hex on one of my breaker bars and jamming it on the ground so that I can use both arms on the axle nut.

[@GoProshosoccer]

Gromtrooper6189 thanks for the reply. That’s what I ended up doing too. Giant 14mm hex into the ground. Worked out.

[@stewartphillips2452]

For some reason, on my Rebel 500, when I loosen the axle nut on the right side, it doesn't let me adjust the tension on the left side. Maybe I need the torque nut on the left side loosened too?

[@Gromtrooper6189]

Sounds like your axle might be caught/stuck in the swingarm as well. give it a few gentile taps from right to left with a rubber mallet once you have the left nut nice and loose, then tap it back flush with the adjuster plate and try adjusting again. Worst case is you might have to pull the rear axle and clean the channel in the swingarm. Best of luck!

[@stewartphillips2452]

@@Gromtrooper6189 hi, took it to where I got it serviced last week, and you were exactly right. Now all sorted. Good vid BTW.

[@Gromtrooper6189]

@@stewartphillips2452 thanks! Glad you got it ironed out.

[@paulwaggoner7536]

What kinda of bike stand are you using?I need to buy one but don't know which one to get.Also if you do a video on how to adjust the clutch cable and throttle cable it would be much appreciated!My throttle cable seems to be loose on my rebel

[@Gromtrooper6189]

I will add those to the list of things to film! there is some slop in the throttle from the factory but it hasn't been bad enough to bug me yet. The paddock stand I'm using is the Trackside Rear Wheel Stand which can be found here: www.amazon.com/TRACKSIDE-Rear-Paddock-Stand/dp/B00C4YND5E as well as at most cycle gear stores if you have one of those near you.

[@rolltide09ful]

Hey I have a 2017 cb500f. Once I was done with my chain adjustment and after bringing the used I used back to owner somehow my chain is tighter than I originally thought. It doesn’t have much play in it. I’d say bout a inch. U think I’ll be ok or will I need to adjust it

[@rolltide09ful]

Used tools I borrowed *

[@Gromtrooper6189]

I dont know the spec for the cb500's off the top of my head, but I know the rebel is 1.25" and if your bike is the same if you're at 1" you'll be fine. Anything less than that and I would give it a bit more slack.

[@rolltide09ful]

Gromtrooper6189 unfortunately I’m goin to have to let some slack out... i decided to put it around the neighborhood and it’s making this type of winding noise when I had it at 3rd gear.. not a load noise but I’m pretty sure if I went to 4th and behind it would have.. sucks... lol..

[@Gromtrooper6189]

Sad! Having to re-do work is the worst but it happens to all of us at some point.

[@mang3139]

Great video! I think I read in my Rebel owners manual that you should adjust the chain with the bike on the ground. New rider here, the bike is new too so I haven’t messed with the chain yet. Am I imagining I read that? Is this a better method? Also how many miles were on your bike when you made that first adjustment? Thanks brother

[@Gromtrooper6189]

Thank you!. I'll have to go back and check. Sometimes the manufacturer will have you check the tension spec with the bike on the ground but it's pretty much impossible to adjust it evenly without putting it on a stand. I was only at around 300 miles but that's certainly not the norm for you first adjustment. I think my situation was a combination of the dealer rushing the bike together and a few really nasty pot holes I found. That's why it's important to check your chain before every ride though!

[@alexsp7086]

Yes don’t do that :))

[@marcvanartevelde5586]

The slack is measured with the bike supporting it's own weight, but you can't adjust it decently that way. However. I've owned bikes for over a quarter century and although I love my Rebel to bits, this is by far the worst chain adjustment setup I've ever come across. Sadly.

[@rws53]

yes the owners manual for the Rebel 500 specifies the bike be on the sidestand when measuring chain slack

[@daviddraper6240]

Great video..Thanks for posting. ..Would belts be better?

[@Gromtrooper6189]

The belts v. Chains argument is a bit beyond the scope of this video but I'm my opinion on a bike this size there is no justification for a belt drive

[@floboboman]

I'm doing mine for first time. Only way to access the 24 mm locking nut for me was to pull off exhaust. Looks like you do the same?

[@Gromtrooper6189]

I have a short shot exhaust on mine (Great upgrade, would recommend) so I dont have to worry about pulling the muffler to do chain adjustments.

[@Phil_Goodman]

do i need spools or anything with this bike stand? I just got a rebel and iam totally new to everything

[@Gromtrooper6189]

First congrats on the bike! Second, the stand I use has interchangeable arm ends so you can use it with or without spools. Personally none of the bikes I own or work on have spools and I've successfully used this stand with all of them. Hope that helps and if you have any more questions don't hesitate to reach out. Ride safe!

[@cameronervin2019]

What stand is this

[@Tonympiotrowski]

you gotta luv you tube, I learned how to do so many things watching YT, don't know how we ever lived without it, thanks for the info. btw, do you if the procedure is the same on a 2021?

[@TheGorillaBiker]

The horse has now bolted you'll be addicted :) Nice video, good info and well explained. Interesting system to be fair. I've been meaning to do a video for this on the Fazer for ages. I like the Rebel too nice bike, you still liking it so far?

[@Gromtrooper6189]

You should totally do it! As much as I am biased to you working on the Magna I'm sure plenty of people out there want more Fazer wrenching.

[@TheGorillaBiker]

@@Gromtrooper6189 Quite possibly :D The thing is I'm also biased towards the Magna :P

[@keelansquire]

Great video. Might be an idea to put tools needed in the description? So people can come back and double check what they'll need🤷🏽‍♂️ not necessary, would be nice.

[@Gromtrooper6189]

I'll have to do this at some point! I am going to likely be making a chain change video for the rebel here soon as well so I'll be sure to do the same on that.

[@keelansquire]

Thanks🙂 appreciate it

[@deshavetalkwithkit8935]

Something you did not mention if you have the stock pipe on the bike you need to take it off to get a breaker bar and the torque wrench. There is not enough clearance with the stock pipe ....Bummer .. Kit

[@elcahorro]

How did you know when the chain has been adjusted to the correct spec? I’ve watched many videos and they all say the same thing, “ once you’ve adjusted one side you’ll see the indication marks. Ensure you adjust the other side to the same marks”. How do you know you adjusted the first side to the correct spec? I’m sorry for the stupid question. I’m totally new at this....

[@Gromtrooper6189]

Never a stupid question! The process I use is to adjust both sides a little (making sure to keep them as even as possible. you dont want to just adjust one all the way but instead adjust them both the same amount.) and then check the slack in the chain with a ruler. I repeat small adjustments and measuring the slack until it is within spec. The spec is always in the owners manual and most bikes these days have it listed on the swingarm so you dont have to look it up. Hopefully that answers your question and if not let me know and I'll do my best to help.