Using a Chain Monkey for setting a motorcycle chain for touring
Touring by motorcycle is a brilliant way to take a break (we would argue there’s no better holiday!).
To optimise your chances of avoiding problems and making the most out of your available time, preparation and research is key. So far so good – you’re in the right place for advice on setting your motorcycle chain for touring!
When setting the chain, you are likely to require slightly more slack to achieve your motorcycle’s optimum setting once the bike is fully laden with luggage. Even more so if you’re thinking of taking a pillion AND luggage, especially if you’re camping.
Here’s our Best Practice example for setting your motorcycle chain for touring using Chain Monkey:
- Load the bike with the filled panniers, bags, tank bags etc that you intend on taking away with you
- Sit on the bike (with your passenger if applicable)
- Get a second (or third) person to to set the chain to the required setting while all load is applied (using the setting specified by the manufacturer) in the normal method.
- Once the chain is set, remove all weight and reapply the chain monkey until all slack is removed. This will give you the setting you require for the future (for that weight) without the need for another person to be present.
- Remember to recheck the chain tension if you are going to ride for a significant amount of time with much less weight on the bike (for example, off loading your panniers at the hotel and taking a ride around the local mountain passes)
Tips
- Practice adjusting your chain, unloading and loading the bike. It sounds obvious, and some of you may be experienced bikers, but a set process saves you a significant amount of time each day you move to a new destination. A “place for everything and everything in its place” policy is particularly valuable and helps keep frustration at bay if things go wrong.
- Take a small travel can of chain lube (we find Wurth’s Dry chain lube or WD-40 Specialist Motorbike Chain Lubricant to be a good choices, and come in at around £4 for a small can)
- The Chain Monkey fits nicely under most motorcycle seat, which is handy, considering most bikes can only just about fit a jam sandwich underneath it!
Although…
Remember to keep it accessible once the bike is loaded up! If you’ve got a big Tiger Sport with a full pannier set, you will probably be able to remove the seat no problem when you’re fully laden. However if you’re strapping extras over the seat or using some Oxford velcro panniers, be mindful of tools you need occasionally and where you pack them.
Heavy loads can change the optimum setting to reduce chain and sprocket wear and optimise motorcycle performance while touring.
Talking from experience, there’s nothing worse than pulling over to adjust your chain and having to completely remove your neatly packed panniers and bungies – keep the tools you need to adjust it and the lube near the top.
If you’re making your way to somewhere to track your bike, such as the Nurburgring, it can be tempting to throw your panniers off the bike and get on as soon as possible. However, such a massive weight change will affect the bike’s chain tension set up. Take your time, remove your panniers, and reset the chain tension using your Chain Monkey.
Consult your motorcycle’s manual for pillions and luggage – you may be able to adjust the suspension preload and it may suggest different tyre pressures for heavy luggage.
Before you leave, check for excessive tight spots or noise from the chain as this could indicate the need for a new chain and sprocket. Always keep up with your service schedule and contact a trusted mechanic if you are in any doubt.
Have you taken your Chain Monkey on tour? Post a photo on our Facebook page or send us an email.