Primary chain

[Grayrider]

Looking to adjust the primary chain on my 97' heritage. Book says about 3/4" play.
I set that, but it seems to be pretty loose!  Thinking I may not be checking it right!
is there a right and wrong way to check and set? 
And does the chain expand and stretch when it gets hot? 
Too loose, it can rattle and hit the cover, too tight???
What's too tight? What will happen?

[Kirbo]

You check it cold and mid way between sprockets. hold chain downward and set a zero on your ruler, push all play upwards and check amount of travel. Should be in spec in your manual. If too loose it will start eating whatever it hits and be hard shifting at times. If too tight it'll put too much strain on bearings, shafts, pulleys whatever its connected to it.

[dave_9113]

You'd want to loosen up the adjusting shoe and check upper middle between the 2 sprockets.  My book '94 calls for 5/8-7/8 in cold and 3/8-5/8 hot.  Rotate to tighten spot then adjust from there.  Best if you can have the bike upright and rear wheel off the ground.

oh and....I had to do a double take at your sign on name.  Glad I'm not homophobic. :-)

dave

[ceduby]

Also if it's too tight you'll hear a whine when you're rolling down the road.

[Phu Cat]

Glad I'm not homophobic. :-)

Too funny, Dave.  I used to work with a guy by the name of Gaylord.  We called him Dean since that was his middle name.  Wouldn't ya know he had one of the foxiest OLs we'd ever seen?!

PC

[dave_9113]

Wouldn't ya know he had one of the foxiest OLs we'd ever seen?!

Obvious cover up!

dave