Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 999 / 749 > First chain adjustment '03 749S!! Help

[Hannibal]

Went to adjust the chain tension on Sun only to find i didn't have the right tools - think some must be missing from my kit.
does anyone have advice on what i need and the best way of doing it without "taking it to an authorised ducati service centre"!

looking forward to a ride to Weymouth from Exeter on Sun!

[guest1]

big socket +big bar + big mate to hold the bike still. Nothing missing from your kit
Other than that, it's straight forward.

[JPM]

I guess you need a large socket to undo spindle, and on mine it's a 12mm open spanner and a 10mm open spanner to adjust and lock chain adjusters?

[clint]

Originally posted by Hannibal
Went to adjust the chain tension on Sun only to find i didn't have the right tools - think some must be missing from my kit.
does anyone have advice on what i need and the best way of doing it without "taking it to an authorised ducati service centre"!

looking forward to a ride to Weymouth from Exeter on Sun!

You will need a 36mm socket and a torque wrench. Torque setting is 180nm.

[Hannibal]

cheers Clint et al, I will get amongst it tomorrow!

[HW]

I was amused to find the owners manual said I had to take it to an authorised dealer to have the chain adjusted. I phoned my dealer and asked what the hell that ws all about and they said not to worry ( I was only worried aout the warranty, it was my first new bike). They also said that they used an allen key to stick in the holes in the adjuster to turn it as they didn't have the tool for it. Brilliant eh?

[Hannibal]

i'm the same... too much of a bafoon to trust my own handy work!

i'll have a go tomorrow

[HW]

I did find that it needs to be looser than you think. If you sit on the bike and compress the rear suspension after you have done it and then try for some slack to make sure it doesn't tighten up too much. The other thing if it's done a few miles is make sure there are no tight spots by moving the wheel and testing along the length of the chain for slack. I had one on an ST4s that had such bad tight spots that I binned it and replaced it (and sprockets at same time of course). In one place it was like a steel bar and in another it was slapping the swing arm. Almost makes you hanker for shaft drive ... almost. Well .. maybe not! Anyone for belts?

[KeefyB]

Are you sure the chain needs re-tensioning?My hand book says the correct chain tension should be 25mm on the lower run.This has since been revised to 30-35mm.This is on the slack side of tight!If you get my drift!
It really is a doddle to do.You just need a big socket and torque wrench for the rear wheel nut and I use a couple of pin punches for the adjusters.('02-'04 bikes)
If you are really not that confident or mechanically incompetent,then take the bike to someone who is.A badly adjusted chain will wear itself and the sprockets out quicker or worse,snap and leave you stranded somewhere.