Chain tension adjustment

 
'87 Honda Hurricane (CBR600), 20k mi.

I gotta be doing something wrong, but I don't know what ...

Chain was too loose, so I loosen the big axle nut and the lock nuts
that hold the axle positioner. Adjust until there's about 1" of play
in the chain (per manual). Tighten all nuts, re-check chain play (still
OK), add a little chain lube, ride bike.

After a bit, I get this RRRRRrrrrrrRRRRRrrrrr sound thats proportional
to wheel speed. Check the chain: it's tight as the proverbial cats ass.
But so are the axle nut and the lock nuts.

So I re-adjust per above. Test ride, get same result.

It's got to be something silly ...

Any ideas?

  Thx,
  Puddin'

"Law Without Equity Is No Law At All. It Is A Form Of Jungle Rule."

 Puddin' Man wrote:

Sounds like the chain has some tight and loose spots.  Chains don't wear
evenly.  Always check the chain when it is at its tightest spot.  This
is a bit of a pain on a bike w/o a centerstand.  If there's a big
difference in tension between the tightest and loosest spot on a chain,
replace it.  One more thing: running a new chain on excessively worn
sprockets will quickly wear out the chain.

 Mark Olson wrote:

Just a couple of further thoughts 1) the way I was taught is before
adjusting make sure the imaginary line from the drive sprocket centre
through the swingarm pivot bisects the imaginary triangle that the
chain forms, I think that is the 'tightest spot' 2) loosen loosen rear
axle nut, 3) loosen adjusters and shift axle until there's 3/4 to 1
inch play (both up and down, eg., closer to 2 inches total play) on
the bottom of the chain about half-way along its length 4) make sure
each adjuster is positioned on the same hash mark, 5) torque axle nut
- some people make a mark before loosening when they don't have a
torque wrench.


I found it's pretty easy to botch it by putting the wheel out of line
which can really twist the chain at speed or as Mark O says to adjust
it when it's not at its tightest position, which will put a lot of
stress on it at any speed.

 Here's an illustrated how-to:

http://community.livejournal.com/motorcycles/2302750.html

 
Recalling the OP's initial comment(s):
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.motorcycles.tech/browse_thread/thread/fc4210bc77682b72?hl=en#

Could it be that the adjustment is done using some
kind of lift to elevate the rear wheel? Then, the adj-
ustment is done correctly.

But, simply returning the bike to it's rolling profile
causes the chain to tighten. The OP rides the bike,
and then returns with an overtight chain.

The whole process repeats etc., etc., etc.