rear tire and chain

i just got my wheel balanced at my cycle shop and went to put it on my 2006 f4i i put the axel through no problem and got the rotor into the brake pads.  when i tried to put the chain on and tighten it the chain got tighter and i made sure both sides where even but the chain seems to hit the swingarm where the chain gard is.  how do i fix this problem??????
 
 
 
thanks
 
chris

It sounds like your chain is 1 link too long (new chain) or stratched out (old chain). Did you changed your sprockets and chain as well. Or have you not inspected your chain in a while and perhaps it was already touching the chain gaurd and you did not notice? If it's a new chain, i would cut a link. If its and old chain, it sounds like you need a new chain and sprocket set. If it is an old chain, how many miles do you have on it?

Yea mine does the same thing but im guessing its normal. I think once your sitting on it doesnt hit the chain guard anymore since theres no tension on the chain right now.

Mine only has 10,300mi so i doubt it needs replacing but who knows.

its the original chain and sprocket.  the bike only has about 5000 miles on it i bought in brand new in 06.  the chain seemed fine when i took it off before i changed the tire.  it just hits the chain guard when u rotate the wheel.

Make sure you didnt kink any links or anything like that and make sure the chain tension is between 1 and 1 3/8 inch i believe. I set mine to an inch and it still hits the chain guard but it used to do it when i rode so.

is it okay for the chain to hit the guard???? i never noticed it before.  i set the chain tensioner but the chain still hits the guard.

Do you have a kink or tight spot in your chain? A poorly treated chain might be kinked with only 5k. Is your Chain guard bent or cracked, loose mounting bolt?

I think he is referring to the part that is ontop of the swing arm it self, it's a block of plastic or something that looks designed to have the chain ride on it somewhat. To keep chain from slappin the swing arm. I noticed it on mine and thought it was normal. I'm pretty sure he isn't talkin about the top gaurd with the stickers on it.

which way are you turning the tire when you rotate it?  remember when you are actually riding the bike, the tension is on the top of the chain, keeping it off the swingarm.
 
if you are rotating the tire by hand, you have to turn the wheel backward(as if backing the bike) to keep the top of the chain tensioned. 

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ruftags

I think he is referring to the part that is ontop of the swing arm it self, it's a block of plastic or something that looks designed to have the chain ride on it somewhat. To keep chain from slappin the swing arm. I noticed it on mine and thought it was normal. I'm pretty sure he isn't talkin about the top gaurd with the stickers on it.

Wow, if OP means the chain is barely touching the plastic block on top of the swingarm, then that chain would be too tight. The chain mainly just lays on that block when parked.

Mine just touched the plastic guard on the swingarm. I do have a question though i jsut came back from a ride and decided to look at my chain. Is it supposed to move smoothly? Because when i spin mine either way it like oscillates up and down or vibrates. Anyone know whats up with that?

Stop confusing people with the lingo, guys.

The chain guard is the individual plastic piece held onto the swingarm by two screws.  Most of them have ugly safety stickers on them.

The chain guide is the slender black piece mounted directly on top of the swing arm that the chain my run against when you are not on the bike.  It is typical for the chain to slouch down and rest on it when parked.  If it doesn't, then your chain needs adjusting (likely too tight).

anybody lol?

Your chain is supposed to have around an 1 - 1.5 inches of slack.  By slack I mean you can hold the chain (top or bottom) and move it up and down approximately 1 - 1.5".  While riding it will bounce around a little when you hit cracks and potholes and shit, but any looser than that and you can have issues.

Well my slack is right at an inch but the chain looks like it moves up and down and side to side while on the rear stand. I can also move the chain left and right a bit on the rear sprocket well before the rear sprocket anyways. Idk i should compare it with another f4i

I'd go test on mine but it's in a bunch of pieces soooooo yeah.