Royal Enfield Classic 500, Chain adjustment and Lubrication. A trip to the TWIGHLIGHT ZONE!

[@themechanic2036]

LOL It must be so frustrating filming a vid like this and hitting that sort of snag. People are relying on you giving correct information, so you need to get it right! I know people have made suggestions here but at the end of the day RE leaving that section in the book incomplete does create and has created enormous doubt for people tackling this system for the first time. This video is invaluable for those people because you have highlighted this issue and dealt with it instead of pretending it never happened. Thats why I watch this channel!

[@whatsstefon]

You should read the service manual. As a former bike mechanic, it’s the most horrid thing I’ve seen.

[@leakedzebra]

Thank you Mr Fillingham! I'm a new motorcycle owner and these are valuable skills that nobody seems to teach anymore.

[@KO-pk7df]

I come from a US Navy aircraft maint. background, and I am always bothered by bolt/nut heads not having washers backing them up. It is always use a washer and turn only the nut to tighten (unless instructed otherwise). We always used water displacement anti-corrosion compound when putting screws & bolts in. I would want to put washers on all the ones I see missing on these bikes, it's just one of those things that drive me crazy and others to roll their eyes at me. It's just me but I thought it was worth saying.... so others could share in rolling their eyes! Love the videos and thanks!

[@ahalassy7421]

Stuart, I have a 2012 Bullet which has a different swing arm chain adjustment (cam) but no worries this video and all your videos are making me love my classic 500, so easy to work on a pure pleasure to ride, also doing some modifications. I first came across the royal Enfield 350 classic in India in 1990 when I was 24 years old and I always thought I would love to have one and I never could imagine I would own one in Canada years later; a young man’s dream come true I suppose. I love the vintage technology over anything new these days, do it yourself and as you mentioned “a pure gentleman‘s bike with nothing to prove“. It’s almost April in Canada 2022 and the bike will be out in May can’t wait! New Brunswick, Canada.

[@whatsstefon]

You haven’t broken anything. This is, as others have said the design of the axle. At 10:45 you can see the larger “axle” nut is in fact on a separate threaded hollow shaft. This is a “leftover” design from the drum brake days as others have said. No voodoo, just an unusual design that makes rear wheel removal easy without having to remove the chain and sprocket. You do in fact have to loosen it in order for chain adjustment to allow the entire rear wheel assembly to shift further back. The old drum brake models have three nuts. The two that you have plus an additional one that locates and acts as a torque bar for the drum. I recently replaced my drum plate that the shoes mount to due to a slow speed lockup from lack of maintenance from the previous owners mechanic. My fault for not looking at it sooner. I posted a video of it recently on my channel, so I hope it helps anyone here who’s watching and curious. That OEM manual is an abomination.

[@willf1175]

Thanks Stuart. My wife is now calculating the shoe and handbag debt over 27 years of careless floor mucification. I owe you!

[@matheusedwardbloom4323]

Hello Mr. Stuart! Sus videos fueron excelentes para realizar el cambio de aceite, filtro, limpieza y ajuste de cadena. Gracias y esperamos siga con su contenido! Saludos desde Bariloche, Patagonia Argentina.

[@michaelking7499]

Good information for adjusting a motorcycle chain, The only thing you didn't say was to check for any tight spots on the chain! As 40 years ago I had my Kawssaki 750E 4 serviced and the chain adjusted, ( I now service all my motorbikes myself ) I was riding my kawasaki on the M5 motorway when the chain snaped & the chain went through the clutch push rod &I was stranded , So every time I adjust my chain now I check for tight spots , Thanks for the video,s I like the old School approach!

[@fernandomagalhaes2957]

I think I never had a so clean micro fibber wipper, after cleaning a chain. What a immaculate work.!!!!

[@tylerfameli1282]

Stuart i just commented on your valves video for the 350, you are a godsend! I followed along this video on my classic 350 2023 version and they seem to have altered a decent amount of stuff. There is only one axle nut now, not a separate sprocket nut as there are in this. Loosening this doesnt have any direct bearing on the alignment of the swingarm besides loosening it obviously. The chain adjusters are now only one nut, with no locking nut in front. These directly change the swingarm alignment and the chain tension. Still an 8 mm allen key required, no need to take the silencer off either since the axle bolt only needs to be loosened with a spanner to allow the chain adjusters to have an effect. Definitely a lot easier!

[@peterlamont1533]

Once of a day I used to remove the chain, wash it in paraffin, then boil it up in a bubbling cauldron of "Lynklife". This is a black, solid grease that needs melting and was popular for chains. Now I know how a chain should be cleaned properly! As mentioned, the double nut is a hang-over from a quick release that does not quite function now, especially with pannier frames and a pillion seat. My Classic 500 ('Tribute') has large washers on each side that are different diameters, the swingarm slots each side are different lengths, the vertical lines on the adjusters are not numbered, so cannot be matched from one side to the other. There is a punch mark on each adjuster but I could not tie those to anything significant so I ended up measuring each side from the axle centre to the centre of the swingarm pivot to make sure the wheel was aligned. Next time the back wheel is out I shall match up and number the adjuster marks!

[@alanbriggs7177]

I remember knocking over a tin of hot lynklife. It set very quickly on dad's cold garage floor and took quite a while to clean off.

[@peterlamont1533]

@@alanbriggs7177 Yes Alan, been there, done that! Even if I did not knock the tin over, there would be a splatter zone of Lynklife splots on the garage floor and my clothing after every greasing that went normally.

[@craigfaman]

Thanks for this really helpful video. The markings on my RE classic swing arm were only visible in slanting light. I used the end of the end of the aperture and a ruler as you suggested , and added a micrometer as a check. The left hand side drifts a lot So pushing the wheel as you said was essential. Without that tip the back plate and adjusting nut would have been flapping in the wind. Thanks again . Great stuff.

[@TheKRU251]

As usual, another very informative video from 'Uncle Stu'. Excellent. Interesting sprocket/axle nut issue. I can only think the sprocket nut had bottomed out on the actual axles threaded section? Obviously a washer under the sprocket nut as a spacer would eleviate that. The fact that the axle locking nut at present tightens it up defies logic! My old 2003 Bullet 500 uses snail cams and the marks on these certainly don't line up correctly. No suprise there then!!! Keep up the great work Stuart. You were very instrumental in me buying my RE 650 Interceptor.

[@stevedix2973]

The forward thinking RE quick release rear wheel , dead handy if you get a puncture , your chain stays adjusted and in place if you have to remove the rear wheel, RE have used this for decades , my Super meteor has it as does my iron barrel , seeing as my bikes have the dredded snail cam adjusters I find it easier to adjust the chain first , locking of the sprocket nut and drum brake stay which keeps the chain inline , then true up the wheel before tightening the axle nut , once your used to it I find it as quick if not quicker than some other types of adjuster , certainly a lot easier when it comes to tyre changes , sprocket and chain changes , just undo the axle nut , slide out the axle , pop the wheel out , then all you have left is the sprocket and chain to deal with , easier than fiddling about with whole wheels , sprocket and chain in one go , strange isn`t it when you think , a forward thinking company like RE who pioneered Anti-lock braking on bikes (although it never went into production bikes) , quick release rear wheels and swing arm suspension , ended up going bust and for many years ended up being regarded as a quaint 2nd rate has been built in India.

[@kentishman5698]

What we have here is what's called a QD rear wheel. QD means quickly detachable, enables the wheel to be removed, leaving the rear sprocket/chain in situ. I have only seen it on old Triumphs (mine was a 1963 5TA speed twin) and my two Royal Enfields (2007 & 2018).

[@EggPottsKnock]

BSA had QD rear wheel's in the 40/50s.

[@notumang]

Sir, its always a great pleasure to watch you taking care of motorcycles. You complete individual task with good details and its soothing to eyes. I really loved the way you cleaned and lubed chain. Now I can add few more steps in my process. As far as chain adjustment is concerned, you did everything correctly (I had confirmed this from RE service center). Owner's manual from RE is not upto the mark, missing details, here and there. Mine displayed incorrect level upto which the gas tank should be filled.

[@quentingazziola]

Hi Stuart! Thank you very much for this video! It is full of pieces of information that will clearly help me for the next chain maintenance of my RE A few days before this video had been uploaded I did part of the chain maintenance: degreasing, cleaning and lubing the chain, and also clean the different parts receiving grease projections. It was a real nightmare and took me the whole afternoon because the old grease on my chain was difficult to remove (a big thanks to the local newspapers for providing me enough protection for the garage floor). For the chain slack, since I did not had the right tools for that, I brought my bike to a local motorcycle garage and the mechanic told me this bike was very hard for chain maintenance. Moreover, I really love the original big exhaust pipe on the RE, but it's a real nightmare when it comes to chain maintenance: hard to access the nuts on the rear wheel axle, but also to clean and lube the chain and to check the tension of the chain Now I have a video to refer to for the next time! Again, thank you! I'm not an expert in bike maintenance (it was the first time for me to do that), but in a sense I am quite glad to see that I did most of things you have done in your video (I inspired myself with your video on the maintenance of the Interceptor) Ride safely!😄

[@John-km2uw]

Brilliant teaching video. 'Lots of practical logic and obvious experience, spiced with humor and an enjoyable Englishman accent for good measure. Thank you.

[@andreVE4BK]

Another very humorous and informative, level-headed video Uncle Stu! Always welcome and appreciated. 👍

[@antonionorbertopetti3081]

Muy bueno tu vídeo. Tengo una Royal Enfield Classic 500 Pegasus 2018 y estoy encantado con mi moto. No la cambio por ninguna. ¡Adelante con tus vídeos! Un saludo desde Argentina. El Paracaidista.

[@geoffadams8912]

Nahthen from Lincoln! I don't have a RE, but just for chain cleaning and lubing I've found this video really helpful and learned a few useful things.This is one of the reasons I never miss one of your vids even if it looks like it may not be relevant to me. There is always SOMETHING in there for me. That's why I subscribe to to your channel Stu 👍

[@MilosMalinic]

You published the video 3 days after I solved by myself the rear wheel bolts mistery, while changing my 9.000 km rusty chain :DDD Great channel, btw!

[@volksdeutschewaffenss9670]

thank you stuart ,your video, hands on makes more sense to me than the work shop manual, i appreciate all your thumper videos cheers mate

[@ronaldevans7944]

Hi uncle Stu. Hopefully I can explain this right. The small nut tightens the axel. The big nut tightens onto the sprocket carrier. When removing the rear wheel the rear sprocket stays in place. I hope this helps . Ride and be safe. Ron.

[@sirgalah561]

Hey Ronald.. Im the proud owner of a 2021 RE Classic 500.. Adjusting the chain is an absolute nightmare for me.. I understand the two axle nuts.. Its the chain adjusting I can't work out.. The slots on each swingarm are different sizes, and I was told to ignore that, and instead line up the punched mark in the adjuster with the lines in the swingarm on both sides.. Is that right?? Also when looking down at the steering head, the frame isnt 90° with the bars.. Whats causing that?? And lastly.. Looking at the back of the bike.. One arm of the swingarm is lower than the other, and the mudguard looks twisted.. Is this just a build quality thing, or is it all just a Royal Enfield quirk.. I mean, the bike runs perfectly well, but when I'm on a group ride I get comments from riders that have been following me that the wheel looks like its crooked or out of alignment..

[@ianaspey472]

I replaced my original chain with an IWIS chain and over the years of using these have found them to be long-lasting and reliable .

[@ArnoldsDesign]

Thanks for the guide on adjusting, and oiling the chain. Saved me a lot of time.

[@Roastbeef01]

As other people have mentioned, the larger "sprocket nut" secures a stub axle that runs through the sprocket hub only. This secures the chain side of the wheel. The axle spindle runs through the whole of the wheel (entering from the lhs) and passes through the sprocket stub shift before being secured by its own smaller threaded axle nut. Thus the whole wheel is tight. On my bullet trials 500, due to a complete vacuum of decent info from the handbook, I tighten first the large nut to 70nm and then the smaller axle nut again to 70nm. All seems to work OK. I note that you adjusted your chain to 27mm with the bike ON the mainstand. On my bike this always results in a very tight chain indeed when the bike is back on its wheels and with a rider sat on it. Premature chain stretch will be the result plus it won't be doing the gearbox bearing much good either. Maybe your bike is OK....such are the foibles of bullet ownership. Happy days though cos they are such a fun bike to ride.

[@stuartfillingham]

yeah its the only bike I've owned where its recommended in the book to check the chain on the stand. I've found it doesn't alter much on or off the stand. I know this has been a hot topic on the RE forums for decades but the general consensus is to stick to RE instructions.

[@michaelburgess2993]

Thanks for a very well explained video on cleaning and adjusting the chain. Going to now do my Meteor today.

[@micheleporcu2287]

Once again Stuart, THANKS.

[@tinks43]

Well that’s just Nuts! 🤣 got there in the end & great tutorial for those that don’t know. Now go and enjoy the sunshine 😎🏍💨

[@simonmurphy8875]

Great video. One thing I've noticed on my 2019 Classic 500 is the route of the rear hydraulic brake line. It's very tight below the lower shock absorber nut. As the wheel goes back with further adjustment, I'm less happy with it.

[@neilfields5914]

The bigger nut doesn’t tighten the wheel up it holds the sprocket and chain in place while you remove the rear wheel. I had the same mither after years of adjusting chains couldn’t get the wheel equal both sides so I thought I’d try and knock the axel through to see if it was being held and no it wasn’t hope this helps.

[@hansbachtold1966]

Another great explanation by Stuart, thank `s so much.

[@quentinbush]

Thank you once again for another informative video, these must take ages to make. Due to my first puncture in 12 years I picked up a nail in the rear tyre, I am going to have to remove the back wheel of my HNTR. I have never done this before. I noticed a bit of weaving on cornering but it's reassuring that when the tyre looses all its pressure that the bike will still get you home riding slower.

[@ironcast]

Yes, Stuart, I often align mine by measuring the amount of threaded bolt sticking past the lock nut on the adjuster. And yup, I often use Chain Wax (probably the same as yours) and I always oil on the inside run of the chain and not the outside.

[@lauriecremore5601]

Hi, the information that you give are pretty priceless... All the best to you.

[@russparker71]

Great video as usual and I can certainly empathise with you Stuart! I had the misfortune to have a flat rear tyre on my bullet just a few weeks after I bought it. I must admit to experiencing your confusion when I was removing and refitting the wheel in a local shopping centre car park where I'd managed to push the bike in order to get off the roadside. I scratched my head for quite a while looking at the set-up (mine's a 2017 so has the drum brake and snail cam adjusters as well) and wondering how in the hell it all worked. It's quite an ingenious design in that it allows you to leave the chain and sprockets in place, and up out of the dirt. The wheel can then be removed and refitted without disturbing the chain tension etc. Love it, and love my bullet!

[@JamEWalsh]

This is an excellent, thoroughly informative, video! Thank you so much!

[@petew2771]

Great topic . I have learned a lot about the bike from watching this. Thanks for making the video.

[@stevecambers3190]

Same sprocket system as on the 1970s Suzuki T500s. A good idea which I only realised was there, after about 40 years of owning these bikes...

[@pikebobstar2033]

Mines up at 1300 but had to adjust around 1000. Painstakingly aligned rear wheel so that in future, moving the adjuster nuts a flat at a time ensures alignment. I did invest in 30 and 24 mm ring spanners which means torque is industry standard 2 grunts tight. It was a unnecessary faff as you describe working out how the axle is secured. I use my bike dryer, small nozzle to help dry out the chain etc. Like anything, proper maintenance and adjustment should ensure long life. Though I guess most in UK will only ride in dry conditions so wear should be minimal. Use wurth dry lube. No noticeable fling. Ride safe👍

[@KarlTheDingbat]

The hub nut holds the sprocket hub on, the axle goes through the sprocket hub, they are both different threads. When you tighten the hub nut all you are doing is tightening the hub onto the right hand side, tightening the axle nut tightens up the rest. You can remove the axle and wheel and leave the hub connected to the swing arm. I found this out when I had to do a tube change after a puncture.

[@lastairbender_883]

This is correct. The two nuts aren't on the same thread. They just look like they are.

[@luisperez-kt2hc]

thanks for your advice mr filligham, great explanation. If you want to come to Colombia you are welcome.

[@darklordofbarnet]

I was (not so) surprised to find the first time I tried to adjust the chain on my 2020 Bullet Trials that the tool kit Royal Enfield supplied with the bike didn't even have all the spanners required to do the job! Fortunately my own tool kit I have built up over many years filled in the missing tools required to do the job

[@briansture4353]

It is a very old system in fact my 1934/5 BSA Blue Star had it and it was a godsend if you needed to remove the wheel for a puncture on the road. A long-ago memory. I sold it for eighteen pounds and I have regretted it ever since. Upswept exhaust I went everywhere on that bike. Purred like a kitten. Girder forks and rigid frame but held the road well.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thanks for the info

[@assessor1276]

Excellent video - very thorough (including Uncle Stu-approved procedure for making amends with SWMBO for tracking bike crud inside). FWIW, I am a mechanical engineer and based on my experience and a brief observation of the R-E Bullet, I’d say that they may have undersized the chain a tad. That may account for the reputation for rapid wear on the bikes.

[@stuartv-e8161]

Very informative Stuart. I have the older style of Bullet with a drum brake and that too was a nightmare when tightening the back wheel up after adjusting the chain...So much so I won't do it again as it took me all day and I still don't think I did it correctly... Thanks for your video as I don't feel so stupid now.🤗😊 Bye Stuart 🙂

[@frankysworld]

Nice one Stu, I got a bit of a different approach because I don't have to worry about 0-rings after I replaced my original chain with a 5/8 x 3/8 Elite 530 chain which has no o-rings. I get about the same mileage out of them, but cleaning has become one of those jobs I can do quickly and thoroughly by dunking it in diesel - i got a little fuel pump set up to rinse the chain and I brush it clean, then I use an air compressor to blow it off dry an then soak it in a tin of heated Putoline Chain Wax an then leave it to set/drip for about 15 minutes before the jobby goes back on. I saw you were mesmerized by the RE twilight zone - that had me stumped the first time as well, but I figured it out that the sprocket nut actually runs on a different thread :)

[@geoffballe8766]

Always a pleasure Stu, thank you

[@martinowl]

I vaguely recall my gt185 having something similar on the axle. The sprocket was actually on a small stub axle that the wheel axle passed through. So you needed to loosen both to adjust the chain. The nut on the stub axle ( the inner one) did not tighten the wheel at all. The second nut tightened the axle. The purpose of this arrangement was allegedly for quick wheel removal without disturbing the chain & sprocket.

[@stuartfillingham]

mine was just a standard axle with a castellated nut, but I suppose they may have changed it over the years.

[@42gentian]

@@stuartfillingham Yes, the 'sprocket nut' retains the sprocket on an outer sleeve on that side, and is not on the same thread as the axle nut, so that the axle may be removed independently - see rear wheel removal for the last series of 350/500 bullets.

[@Tubespoet]

I too have a vague recall of something similar, maybe my GT125 or maybe the family Ariel Red Hunter but it was 40 odd years ago so it could have been anything!

[@viswasrujith8426]

Next year hope you are getting ready to buy the Meteor to add to your stable.

[@axelhamlington2235]

great tips ❤️...Love from Nepal 🇳🇵

[@clearprop]

Great stuff - well filmed, informative and delivered well. Thanks! :-)

[@damiendooley861]

Thank you Stuart , I enjoy your videos both informative and humorous😁 keep up the great work you do 👍👍

[@andrewhayes4246]

Just a suggestion: on low powered bikes that have a spring-link, buy a spare chain and have it ready cleaned and lubed in its tin. Remove the spring link, draw the new chain on using the dirty one and replace the spring-link. Bike and sprockets can be easily cleanedwithout mess on the garage floor or rest of bike. Also I noticed a lack of large washers on the swinging arm. I would fit a pair to minimise damage to paintwork. HTH Stuart.

[@Roastbeef01]

This is just an observation....I don't know how widespread it is on euro 4 bikes. You mention fitting of large washers to protect the swing arm. My bike, a 2020 Bullet 500 Trials, HAS large washers factory fitted behind both the larger outer sprocket nut ((RHS) and also underneath the axle spindle "head" (LHS). However, my friend has a 2020 Euro 4 Classic 500 and the washer under the large sprocket nut (RHS) on his bike is also missing ...in similar fashion to that on Stuart Fillingham's bike. Looking at my mate's bike I can see that there does not appear to be as much threaded shaft protruding out from the swing arm as there is on my bike (not enough to even to accommodate full the thickness of nut). Fitting a washer would shorten the effective thread length even further. I just wonder whether this a factory clanger and removing the washer was a quick fix to remedy the problem. I might be totally wrong so like I say 'just an observation' .

[@robertadams4415]

Thanks again uncle Stu for the trip to the Twilight zone

[@georgecurtis6463]

Loooong ago I stopped adjusting chains by measuring play. I read something from some pros in the later part of the 70s. I adjusted them by putting the rear axle level with the drive sprocket. Then adjusted the chain to be tight enough to have just a bit of movement. That's it. Chain becomes the tightest when the rear and drive gear are straight across from each other. If you tighten by measuring the play, you can make it to tight and increase wear, etc. I found this to be done by others to often. So be carefull.

[@GSwton]

thanks for a fantastic and informative video

[@louisfairbrother]

Thank you for making this video mate. It was really helpful for me! Cheers.

[@stevec-b6214]

after cleaning the chain, i just coat it in ep90 with a stiff bristle brush, slightly messy (have some old rags to catch drippage), but cheaper and better than spray cans, some of which are like some devil glue concoction that holds road grit to your chain like sh to a blanket

[@ianjohnson4753]

Great video Stuart This job is coming up on my bullet Your video is a great help for me. Thankyou so much.

[@scottboettcher]

I got spoilt owning bikes like Honda NT650 Hawk and VFR with single sided swing arms. At least the adjustments on the Royal Enfield Classic 350 are much better than this setup in the 500. Just did ours last weekend and it was pretty easy - even using the pot metal tools in the side panel. I use Honda chain cleaner and moly chain lube. Great stuff, easy to find. The chain cleaner is also great for cleaning the oil basket and exterior gunk from the road that accumulates on the bottom of the engine cases. Ride Safe 🙏🏼

[@utharaptortrex]

On my euro 3 bullet 500 the chain adjustment is super easy: It's one of those stepped eccentric adjusters that used to come on classic bikes. On a side note, I can't bothered to clean the chain on my bike more than once a year, so every couple aplications of chain lube I'll use 90 weight gear oil that helps to break up the caked up chain lube. Most of it just flings off while riding and I just wipe off whatever gets on the bike when I get home.

[@stevec-b6214]

I would like to add my easy way of tightening nuts from the opposite side, like you were doing with the footrest, I simply tell myself to slacken it when i want to tighten it! re: the sprocket carrier nut on its little stub axle, well its all part of the learning fun!

[@KRAM-zb2vc]

Brilliant video as always Stuart and after watching this, I feel confident of adjusting my chain 😃👍🏻

[@glenpillinger2234]

Great vid Stu. I noticed the large nut appears to be on a different thread to the small nut or so it seems while watching. Mines only done 500 miles so don't need to adjust yet. But thanks for the info buddy.

[@stuartfillingham]

No both are on the same thread Glen as far as I can see.

[@diversionbob8482]

@@stuartfillingham Stuart what does the manual say about taking the back wheel out to put a new tire on?

[@John-gw3xl]

@@stuartfillingham Hi Stuart, great video again. The large nut is on a different thread called as the "Spindle Short" through which the axle slides in. This mechanism is one the oldest in Bullets and were never modernized.

[@paulfowell5253]

Glen is correct. The large nut acts on the part that only locks the right hand "sprocket side", whereas the smaller locknut acts on a smaller diameter "through bolt" which goes through the centre of the whole axle. Regards Paul Fowell.

[@lastairbender_883]

@@stuartfillingham Glen is correct. They just look like they are on the same thread. Additionally, I had a very difficult time getting slack correct on my C5. It turns out that one (or perhaps both) of the sprockets is not actually round. It's egg-shaped. I have to rotate the wheel until I find the point where the chain is the tightest and set the slack at that point. These are fun bikes to work on.

[@rahulreddy2868]

There are two different axle threads one is on the axle rod and another with the big nut those two are different, until you tighten the locknot axle rod is free to play. You once remove wheel you will come to know the mechanism ( I came to know this when I was working as an intern engineer in Royal Enfield)

[@momoansari1195]

Great video, very useful

[@brucewood7865]

Another excellent video.

[@rollingthunder45]

I don't worry too much over torque settings to the axel nuts, usually just sogg them up by "feel", it's only putting 27 horse through the drive train, Enfields are somewhat of a blunt instrument compared to 180mph rice rockets dripping in technology. Basic spannering is all you need.

[@kevindaly5093]

This double nut system is a holdover from the drum brake days and is actually rather clever. Go to the chapter in the book on removing the rear wheel and it will all make sense.

[@883WAYNE]

How to keep the rear wheel tight against the adjusters whilst torquing the axle nut. ...Put a dirty shop rag in the lower run of the chain near the rear sprocket, then turn the wheel forward. Leave it there and tighten the axle nut... Take the rag out. Job done. Try it... Works every time.

[@stuartfillingham]

Good tip! I shall try that thanks!

[@883WAYNE]

@@stuartfillingham no worries Stuart. Love your channel

[@rhonda-my_honda_cb500x3]

This is apparent at 13:50-1357 thereabouts where Stu is nipping up the LH/brake side adjuster. You can see it's still moving about slightly 'cos it's not absolutely hard abutted up against the end of the swingarm. At this point, my approach has been to give the very end of the adjuster's threaded bolt a moderate tap with a soft-faced (hide, plastic or rubber) hammer/mallet. Combining your rag-jam tip followed by my hammer-tap tip will give the perfect belt & braces solution to keeping the wheel bang-on in place while doing final torque-up.

[@robinputman5619]

Very informative video and a topic rarely covered properly. 👍

[@davidutting7822]

The sprocket is mounted on its own bearing on a hollow stub axle which is secured by the sprocket nut. The wheel spindle or axle as you call it, passes through the stub axle and is not threaded to it it merely slides through and is secured by the wheel spindle nut which is NOT a lock nut but secures the wheel spindle on the opposite side to the Sprocket nut. This is common practice on bikes with cush drives in the rear hub. It enables the wheel to be removed easily without disturbing the chain adjustment.

[@stuartfillingham]

Thanks David, pretty much confirms what others familiar with this set up have said. I would point out though that the axle nut most definitely is an aircraft type lock nut! You can clearly see the stainless locking collar in the images contained in this video.

[@davidutting7822]

@@stuartfillingham Point taken Stuart one of my bikes, a Jawa has exactly the same arrangement but with a plain nut and lockwasher.

[@grahamebradford1028]

Hi. I don't think I missed it in the video, but did you test the tension at various places around the chain to take account of any tight spots?

[@davideverett838]

Really helpful, thanks Stuart.

[@morrisminor56]

I never had any trouble with the classic chain in 2 years. Had the last of the rear drum brake ones.

[@whatsstefon]

I’m pretty good at chain maintenance. My 2010 model Classic 500 original chain didn’t last long. But the aftermarket one has not only lasted the last 40,000km… I am also only half way on the adjustment cam and Curren sitting at almost 50,000km. I have one little tight spot that only makes 1mm difference to the tension. I use heavy 90W oil on mine. Maybe clean it once a year.

[@christopherwhite5210]

Hi Stu. Re the two nuts on the axle. Not sure about the unit construction engines but on my 2006 bullet it's to make the wheel easier to remove. By just removing the smaller nut the back wheel can come away leaving the brake drum, rear sprocket and chain in place and still perfectly adjusted. In short despite appearances the big nut isn't threaded into the axle but a separate bracket holding just the brake drum that the axle passes through. Maybe it's a carry over...

[@paulhoughtonhhoughton9188]

Stu yea, if you haven't adjusted a chain which has a QD hub fitted and only use to a modern (1970's) wheel set up then a QD will seem odd. but the inner nut is for holing the QD hub in place, this is so the wheel can be removed without any re-adjustment of the chain after the wheel is replaced or re-adjusted. However if chain adjustment is required then the whole wheel needs to move, hence loosen both the nuts enough for the wheel to move forward/backwards (note is only one nut on the wheel spindle the other is on the QD backplate) Other bikes which have QD hubs which i can think of is a 1971 Triumph 500 (Daytona) if there others makes (modern bikes) maybe someone can add to the Triumph T100. TNX

[@burtvhulberthyhbn7583]

Tightening the locknut over the larger nut pulls the axle a bit tighter depending on the precision of the larger nuts coincidence with the axle threads.

[@garylightning8740]

"CLASS" Thank you very much. Appreciate your time and effort. Respect. Regards Gareth Wiltshire UK. Gratitude. Quality. Respect.

[@michaelhenshaw258]

Thank you !

[@Trev350]

And... pause your video at 14:49 and you will see what’s going on with the double nut situation. Two different shafts / threads involved here.

[@stuartfillingham]

You may be right Trev Ill have to investigate at some stage. much easier to see in 4k when the image of the shaft is 3 inches across at eye level as opposed to actually deciphering the situation in the real world.

[@Trev350]

@@stuartfillingham youre right Stu; I scratched my head for quite a while before I figured out what was going on. And I'm wondering whether the thickness of the missing plain washer could actually be quite important to get the nuts sitting in the correct place, being mindful of the two threads involved?

[@stuartfillingham]

@@Trev350 possibly but the manual shows the nut fitted without a washer so I'm presuming that's how it should be?

[@tombailey6342]

All nuts on their threads have slack, some more than others. Course threads tend to have more. They need this to run properly. When you tightened the the 'sprocket' nut it was hard up against its threads falling away from the centre of the axle, respectively. The tightening of the axle nut upon the sprocket nut takes the sprocket nut to the other side of its slack on the thread and therefore tightens a little more axle play. Hope that makes sense?

[@concerned_citizens]

You are lucky that your bike has chain adjusters that work by turning a nut, my RE classic 500 has snail-type adjusters that move around when tightening the axle nut /locknut. It is a job that needs 3 hands :)

[@simonnormys496]

i think the sproket bigger nut is indipendant on its own bearing then the cush drives are inside, try taking the wheel off as if changing tyre all will become clear as beleive you can take the rear wheel out and leave the sproket on the swing arm..just remove the spacer/brake disc carrier on left hand side, or pull out the main spindel completley you will see the large nut is threaded on a bored out shaft..

[@stuartfillingham]

will check it out!

[@simonnormys496]

@@stuartfillingham check out Royal enfield classic rear wheel removal and fitment video all will become clear when the guy removes the rear wheel the sprocket and bearings remain on swing arm attached by the big nut, all best si

[@johnroberts2290]

Great video Stuart 👍👍🏍️

[@birbeck87]

Interesting videos some good point to be aware of there many thanks stu 👍

[@michaelevans1658]

Very informative uncle Stu, my local Enfield dealer got a 500 military version ,they want7 k for it .

[@stuartfillingham]

hell! that's expensive!

[@johnterry804]

Another great video very good 👍

[@renevanderkraats3811]

Both my bikes have a driveshaft. Saves me the chain adjustments, but where a chain dampens a bit of the gear change rev 'mismatches', with a driveshaft you really need to be pretty precise when it comes to rev-matching when going up or down the box, otherwise the lurching is much more pronounced :) Both bikes not having a slipper clutch doesn't help either ;)

[@stuartfillingham]

LOl yeah been there and done that. regular servicing of the shaft usually works out pretty expensive when its due though! I never found rev matching an issue, it all comes down to clutch control.

[@umeshhinge7903]

Great content

[@windmilljohn]

So.... you want a professional response on how to correctly adjust the chain... Well here goes... I have the Classic 500 and a 350 cast iron Bullet. Both have the most weird chain adjustment I've come across and I've adjusted chains on many bikes. I haven't checked yet on the 500, but normally on Bullets, you remove the outer nut and you can then remove the axle and rear wheel leaving the chain and sprocket in place. I think someone mentioned this further down. I know, I didn't really help, but hey 😊

[@westerhamflyer9575]

My dealer told me the chain was to tight using the centre stand as in the handbook.I was told to use paddock stands or with somebody sitting on it to compress the suspension as this tightend the chain🤔

[@peterwilson8797]

The sprocket nut holds the sprocket carrier to the arm. If you remove the axle nut you can extract the spindle and remove the wheel. This leaves the sprocket carrier behind. Then you can remove the sprocket carrier. Not an easy job. Got a rear puncture in my 2020 classic. Has to have 4" of wood under the stand.

[@stuartfillingham]

Ah Thanks peter. Torque values for both fasteners?

[@peterwilson8797]

@@stuartfillingham I was a little naughty and did them tight.

[@teddygonzalez87]

What size are the axel and sprocket nuts?

[@littlecente1133]

That’s what I’m thinking

[@subhodipchowdhury5292]

Want 2 see u buy a Himalayan..love from 🇮🇳😍

[@Trev350]

One observation Stu. I’ve got a 2020 model Trials 500. On mine, behind the 30mm nut, there is a large plain washer. This seems to be missing on yours? Other 500 Classics that I’ve seen also have the washer between the big nut and the swing arm leg. Might be worth checking whether you should have one.

[@stuartfillingham]

did consider that myself Trev. but manual shows it without a washer.

[@Trev350]

@@stuartfillingham the other classics I've seen so have a washer and without one I guess the nut will start to chew up the paint on your swing arm. Might be worth further investigation. Seems daft chatting about a simple plain washer, but sometimes the small things can be quite important I guess.

[@billgamble6224]

You would understand axle setup if you had, had a Honda cub, thanks for video cheers

[@davidcompton8525]

Yes. I remember removing the rear wheel from a Honda cd 90 back in the 70's. There was a spacer between the sprocket and hub which when removed allowed you to take off the rear wheel leaving the sprocket and hub in situ, and not interfering with the alignment of the wheel when replaced.

[@JLOSTAFF1]

I've never quite worked out why you can get the chain tension spot on but then tighten the adjuster nuts and axle nuts to fine the chain is too tight!!🤬

[@pjarvis845]

Another well presented useful video, and perfect timing as I was planning to clean and adjust my Classic’s chain this afternoon.