Hey my buddy has a 400 EX with a loose chain, we can't figure out how to tighten the chain. It's a 2003 i think if that makes a difference

 

Honda has always had the best chain adjusters in the industry. Other manufacturers have had some absolutely pathetic adjusters in the past (like the Warrior or early Z400), but lately I see them copying Honda on most models....

The rear bearing carrier is excentric (like a cam), so as you turn it it will tighten or loosen the chain. There are 4 hex head bolts at the rear of the swingarm. Loosen these. Just next to the sprocket to the inside, there is a ring with a hole drilled in it. By putting some kind of tool (like the hex head wrench from the tool kit you used to lossen the bolts) in the hole, you can rotate the ring forward to make the chain looser, or back to make the chain tighter. Slack should be 20-30 mm of play, as I recall. Then retighten the 4 bolts.

The procedure is outlined in the owner's manual...if your friend even has one???? Somebody who doesn't even have an owner's manual probably doesen't even realize that they need to adjust their valves either...I am guessing...

 

thanksfor the help. we're fine on engine maintance. I ride yamaha so i was looking for a adjuster like one on a yamaha

 

I said that the adjuster ring has a hole drilled in it....but I now realize that my EX has a Lonestar aftermarket bearing carrier that is a little different from stock.

The stock carrier has slots in it, and I find that a C-wrench intended for adjusting shock preload collars works great for turning the ring on a stock carrier.....

 

Much apprecitated