Just bought this same model and adjusted the chain and suspension. I agree 100% with your chain advice, I thought my chain was ridiculously tight from new. Thanks for posting, great how to’s, suspension video was excellent!
I got myself a tool that goes over the top of the chain for alignment. I highly advise anyone who doesn't have one to get one. It makes the alignment super easy!
My chain was also set like a guitar string from the dealer. I now have it at one inch. I noticed the chain has a lot of downwards slack too if you push down on it firmly, so I have it set to where it’s total range is one inch, so it roughly pushes down half an inch and pushes up half an inch
Thanks for the very helpful video on the process! It's funny to read in the comments at the people that think manufacturers are omnipotent. Manufactures make machines for a purpose and not universally perfect ones at that. Its not wrong to want to change a machines purpose (mod/tune it) and manufactures are most definitely not right by default.
Go with the manual specs, try the upper limit (15mm) if its does not seem right to you. Even Yamaha confirmed its correct, dont try to argue with the maker :). Also, running Yamaha specs slack makes the bike feels much better when on/off throttle, contribute better to the bike hooligan nature :)
@@shaundisch2020 my chain did go out a lot sooner. I had to replace the whole final drive when the bike was around 18k km when it started making very weird noise
@donkeizluv Mine is at 15k miles and the chain and sprockets look great. Have it at 20mm, measured without pushing the chain very hard so maybe more like 25mm. Local Yami shop mechanics told me 25-35mm.
The nut is on the left side because of the left side mudguard? Is there any diffrecene where is the nut? I bought givi left side mudguard, but left the bolt on the right side, is that wrong?
so, apparently all these fz-09 chains come tight. I just bought a new one last week and mine was very tight as well. the specs are (0..20-0.59 in) as you probably know. I. agree that seems tight, but how do you decide an inch is better vs. the official specs from Yamaha?
Stick with the manual measurements Mike... they design it that way and I have several friends who own MT-09s and I myself have one also and have been using OEM specs since and no problems as one would expect. Also, no recalls have been made in 7 years...
Go with the manual, even Yamaha confirmed its correct, dont try to argue with the maker :). Also, running Yamaha specs slack (15mm) makes the bike feels much better when on/off throttle, contribute better to the bike hooligan nature :)
Everybody struggling to loosen the axle nut with a wrench: get a breaker bar. I had the struggle too, went and bought an 18" breaker bar, then the axle nut came loose very easily.
Given the owners manual for our bikes (I have the same one was you) states 0.20 to 0.59 inches for the slack, how is given it 1.0 inches of slack safe given manufactures specs.. I really respect your knowledge and video's and I'm seeking clarity.
Sometimes there are certain manufacturer specs that are simply a poor choice proven by actual use. This is one of them. The book spec for these models is smaller than the vast majority of all the other bike out there over decades.
If you know anything about how that front sprocket drive shaft ( that transfers power through the gearbox) you would realize that bearing the shaft runs on cannot take the tension a tight chain causes. When the rear wheel rises with the compression of the rear shock the chain tightens further. In 57 years of riding/maintaining motorbikes I have never heard of a chain that tight. Forget the manual and use your head.
My 18' my 09 is brand new got it last week. I'm hearing a rapid clicking noise coming from the chain. I know some noise is normal. Could this be from being to loose?
You said in this video or another that the factory spec for front tire pressure was too low at 36 psi. Why do you say that? Everything else I've read from other riders is that the factory pressure spec is too high, particularly for best traction. Good for tire life and economy, but not as good if you like to ride spirited in the twisties. You're the first I've ever heard say it wasn't high enough.
I replaced my chain with a brand new chain and sprocket kit and the tick marks are equal on both sides.BUT my chain is on the loose side and the reading is not marking on the “new chain” or blue mark. It’s reading near the “replace chain” mark. WHY? It’s a brand new kit. Please help.
Hi Bryan, first of all thank you for all your videos. In your opinion, is it correct to adjust the slack only using the side stand? I usually do the same procedure that you do in this video, but when I'm out for a long journey, with a motorbike that has only the side stand, I am always in doubt between adjusting the slack on the side stand or leave it as is.
Hi, hope you can answer this question for me. I have a 2019 MT-09 with 8.4k miles on it. Just did the oil change (same oil as previous oil changes), and adjusted the chain. My chain has about 0.75in play, so not very tight. I aligned the wheel properly, matches measurements on both sides and even used a chain aligner tool, everything is as straight as can be. I took the bike for a test drive, and now on deceleration (no matter what gear, or neutral, or in gear with clutch pressed) the bike makes this strange sound.... It's hard to describe it but sounds something like "Wwwhhhrrr". And it only happens on deceleration between about 28mph to 20mph and then stops. Doesnt make this noise on acceleration... Only deceleration and doesnt matter if you are in gear or not. I'm super confused what it could be.. Any thought?
Thanks for the video... My new TST block is at 7.2mm length (inside the nuts) and the right side is at 10.2mm so I really need to adjust the left block LOL chain is making a lot of noise
Old comment but if it might help anybody else: I was struggling to undo it with a socket wrench. Bought an 18" breaker bar, came loose very easily. That's what you need
Yeah 108 ft lbs is too high. My R1 is 80 so that’s what i go with on my fz09. Many people including myself have stripped the factory axle blocks by going with the factory torque spec. I went with Gilles tooling chain adjusters and 80 ft lbs
There is a discussion about chain slack in germany too. Yamaha officials in germany and yamaha engineers das that the tight slack Causes no damage ! Nevertheless i am operating mine with 25mm to30mm roughly 1 inch. It works fine. My opinion is that the nut of the rear axle is with 150nm tightened too much. I do around 120nm.
This is the best tutorial I've found on UA-cam. Thanks for this post.
As a noob, I’d be screwed without this channel
Just make sure you wear shoes when working on your bike. :)
Just bought this same model and adjusted the chain and suspension. I agree 100% with your chain advice, I thought my chain was ridiculously tight from new. Thanks for posting, great how to’s, suspension video was excellent!
I got myself a tool that goes over the top of the chain for alignment. I highly advise anyone who doesn't have one to get one. It makes the alignment super easy!
whats the name of the tool?
Motion Pro Chain Alignment Tool.
Or a block of wood cut to the correct length ?
For the sake of around £12 it's a no brainer.
Aren't you supposed to check the slack with the ruler perpendicular to the chain?
My chain was also set like a guitar string from the dealer. I now have it at one inch. I noticed the chain has a lot of downwards slack too if you push down on it firmly, so I have it set to where it’s total range is one inch, so it roughly pushes down half an inch and pushes up half an inch
Thanks for the very helpful video on the process! It's funny to read in the comments at the people that think manufacturers are omnipotent. Manufactures make machines for a purpose and not universally perfect ones at that. Its not wrong to want to change a machines purpose (mod/tune it) and manufactures are most definitely not right by default.
Go with the manual specs, try the upper limit (15mm) if its does not seem right to you. Even Yamaha confirmed its correct, dont try to argue with the maker :). Also, running Yamaha specs slack makes the bike feels much better when on/off throttle, contribute better to the bike hooligan nature :)
I agree with you about the feel!!! Have you had any problems? I heard some have had engine bearings go bad from that spec.
@@shaundisch2020 my chain did go out a lot sooner. I had to replace the whole final drive when the bike was around 18k km when it started making very weird noise
@donkeizluv Mine is at 15k miles and the chain and sprockets look great. Have it at 20mm, measured without pushing the chain very hard so maybe more like 25mm. Local Yami shop mechanics told me 25-35mm.
@@shaundisch2020 I ran 5mm-10mm. It was a big mistake but luckily counter shaft was fine
I've got the '15 FZ09. Your vids are great. Well recorded and explained. You really know your stuff. I just subscribed.
The nut is on the left side because of the left side mudguard? Is there any diffrecene where is the nut? I bought givi left side mudguard, but left the bolt on the right side, is that wrong?
I know this isn't about the fz09 but I'm trying to find out what size the fjr1300 o2 sensor is it 12mm or 18mm?
so, apparently all these fz-09 chains come tight. I just bought a new one last week and mine was very tight as well. the specs are (0..20-0.59 in) as you probably know. I. agree that seems tight, but how do you decide an inch is better vs. the official specs from Yamaha?
+Mike from years of people's experience and feedback that the stock specs stretch the chin and wear out the sprockets.
Stick with the manual measurements Mike... they design it that way and I have several friends who own MT-09s and I myself have one also and have been using OEM specs since and no problems as one would expect. Also, no recalls have been made in 7 years...
Go with the manual, even Yamaha confirmed its correct, dont try to argue with the maker :). Also, running Yamaha specs slack (15mm) makes the bike feels much better when on/off throttle, contribute better to the bike hooligan nature :)
donkeizluv yup i went with 1/2 imch
Damn, that chain is clean
But the manual calles for .2 to .59 inches of slack, isnt that super tight?
I do exactly what you did in this video. However when I torque the axle but the slack ALWAYS gets tighter.... WTF?
You should torque axle with bike off the stand for this reason
That's normal
Everybody struggling to loosen the axle nut with a wrench: get a breaker bar. I had the struggle too, went and bought an 18" breaker bar, then the axle nut came loose very easily.
Hey mate I cannot loosen the lock nuts for the life of me on either side, do you have any idea what might be wrong?
150nm torque...they are tight
Long torque bar, or maybe a impact.
when checking the tension do you put bike in neutral?
Ideally, you don’t want to be riding the bike
new bike chain from the dealer they tend to stretch.thats is why installed it tight.
No. It’s book spec nothing to do with install.
@@TwoWheelObsession owners manual says drive chain slack is 5.0-15.0mm (0.20-0.59 inches) which mean less than 1.00 inches.
Given the owners manual for our bikes (I have the same one was you) states 0.20 to 0.59 inches for the slack, how is given it 1.0 inches of slack safe given manufactures specs.. I really respect your knowledge and video's and I'm seeking clarity.
Sometimes there are certain manufacturer specs that are simply a poor choice proven by actual use. This is one of them. The book spec for these models is smaller than the vast majority of all the other bike out there over decades.
If you know anything about how that front sprocket drive shaft ( that transfers power through the gearbox) you would realize that bearing the shaft runs on cannot take the tension a tight chain causes. When the rear wheel rises with the compression of the rear shock the chain tightens further. In 57 years of riding/maintaining motorbikes I have never heard of a chain that tight. Forget the manual and use your head.
Thank you everyone - for the question and responses.
Both helped me.
Why do you think the manual spec is wrong?
My 18' my 09 is brand new got it last week. I'm hearing a rapid clicking noise coming from the chain. I know some noise is normal. Could this be from being to loose?
Just measure it and you'll know.
TwoWheelObsession ya I did it seems to be just a smidge loose a little over an inch. I'll tighten her up tomorrow see how she does.
The manual says the slack should be between .20-.59" while measured and adjusted on the side stand. Why are you adjusting it at 1" instead?
Thanks for the video, great help 🏍️
You said in this video or another that the factory spec for front tire pressure was too low at 36 psi. Why do you say that? Everything else I've read from other riders is that the factory pressure spec is too high, particularly for best traction. Good for tire life and economy, but not as good if you like to ride spirited in the twisties. You're the first I've ever heard say it wasn't high enough.
I replaced my chain with a brand new chain and sprocket kit and the tick marks are equal on both sides.BUT my chain is on the loose side and the reading is not marking on the “new chain” or blue mark. It’s reading near the “replace chain” mark. WHY? It’s a brand new kit. Please help.
Sounds like you have the wrong length chain or size sprocket
remove a link...
Hi Bryan, first of all thank you for all your videos.
In your opinion, is it correct to adjust the slack only using the side stand?
I usually do the same procedure that you do in this video, but when I'm out for a long journey, with a motorbike that has only the side stand, I am always in doubt between adjusting the slack on the side stand or leave it as is.
+giomas74 as long as you are only tightening you can count facets and adjust each side exactly the same and that's fine.
Thank you for this. I also wanna adjust the chain tension on my MT09 2019 It looks and feel really tight...
I love your videos, real easy explanation
Hi, hope you can answer this question for me. I have a 2019 MT-09 with 8.4k miles on it. Just did the oil change (same oil as previous oil changes), and adjusted the chain. My chain has about 0.75in play, so not very tight. I aligned the wheel properly, matches measurements on both sides and even used a chain aligner tool, everything is as straight as can be. I took the bike for a test drive, and now on deceleration (no matter what gear, or neutral, or in gear with clutch pressed) the bike makes this strange sound.... It's hard to describe it but sounds something like "Wwwhhhrrr". And it only happens on deceleration between about 28mph to 20mph and then stops. Doesnt make this noise on acceleration... Only deceleration and doesnt matter if you are in gear or not. I'm super confused what it could be.. Any thought?
Did you figure this out??
@@jamiepoole5193 nope... still happening, but not as pronounced.
How does the bike feel after properly adjusting the chain?
The same
hahahaha
What do you think of products like the Tru-Tension Chain Monkey?
It looks like a very cool product that works, but I have no problem just looking at a tape measure. However it would be great for travel!
Should you not measure the adjusted slack on the side stand too?
+Mike Martel sure, if yours is significantly different between the two. This isn't.
Is it okay to do this without rear stand?
Yes, the Fz09’s chain is adjusted on the side stand.
Thanks for the video... My new TST block is at 7.2mm length (inside the nuts) and the right side is at 10.2mm so I really need to adjust the left block LOL chain is making a lot of noise
Was it hard for you to get the axle nut off? I'm dying here. Help
150 NM are strong 😄
Old comment but if it might help anybody else: I was struggling to undo it with a socket wrench. Bought an 18" breaker bar, came loose very easily. That's what you need
@@assortedpov yeah ended up using my breaker bar with a 5ft galvanized pipe and it popped right off
Can someone find out why Yamaha ships these bikes with 0 slack in them?
How come when measuring chain your not pushing the chain all the way down. I see you go up to measure but not down? If that makes sense to you lol.
You measure it from rest, not stretched.
@@TwoWheelObsession sorry, this is incorrect information you are spreading here, it is total deflection.
Men what happened did you abandon the channel? Why you haven't post any more video?
Torque spec on the ‘21’s are 78 lb ft. Interesting
Yeah 108 ft lbs is too high. My R1 is 80 so that’s what i go with on my fz09. Many people including myself have stripped the factory axle blocks by going with the factory torque spec. I went with Gilles tooling chain adjusters and 80 ft lbs
Good vid
Nice video
Fantastic thanks
Welcome!
There is a discussion about chain slack in germany too. Yamaha officials in germany and yamaha engineers das that the tight slack Causes no damage ! Nevertheless i am operating mine with 25mm to30mm roughly 1 inch. It works fine. My opinion is that the nut of the rear axle is with 150nm tightened too much. I do around 120nm.
Mine chain got adjusted today when I got new tires and there is only 20 mm of play, is that ok? Thank you,
@@EEEBA1 20 is ok.
Sometimes common sense surpasses the books..... 108 ft. lbs. seems like a lot, like too much more like.
NO Yamaha Japan is right... U do not understand.