I have read many posts regarding chain adjustment on the Z/KFX, however, I seem to be having trouble determining when my chain is loose, go figure! Chain adjustment on this machine is a real pain! I have the KFX and the owners manual is useless. It states that there should be 1.2" - 1.6" of slack in the center of the chain guard. Well when I first got it about 2 months ago, it had about 1 1/8" of play before I rode it. As I rode it for about a week it eventually loosened up to about 1 1/2". Everything was fine until this last weekend. I went for a few hour ride, then ran it down the road for a bout 2 miles and I noticed a "whirring" sound coming from the chain, precisely around the front sprocket/roller. Well I checked the slack in the chain and it was about 1 3/4 ", so I assumed that the chain was a little loose. I proceeded to do my first chain adjustment on this machine. The owners manual states that the "hash" marks need to be aligned so that the axle is aligned, made sense to me. Well to my surprise, the marks were NOT aligned, about a half a mark off. Well I proceeded to adjust the chain and align the marks, and I have about 1 1/4" of slack now. The chain seems too tight. I putted around the yard in first gear a few laps and I am really getting "chain" noise now, if you guys know what that means. When I push it forward it "clicks", backward it does not. Everything looks fine, sprockets look good. So here is my dumb question, how do you determine the proper slack in your chain? I really feel like a fool, being that I have been riding dirtbikes for 17 years! Have any of you guys had trouble like this, and what about the "hash" marks, anyone's not aligned from the factory? This is really driving me nuts, so if anyone has some information, I would be very grateful.
Thank You, James

 

When I measure the chain on mine I hold a tape measure against the frame under the seat and push the chain down against the end of the tape and then pull it back up to see how much play I have, if that makes sense. I have only had to adjust my chain once so far and right now it's on the high side of spec about 1.6" so i'll be doing it again soon. As far as the hash marks go, mine not perfect but it's very close, it is kind of a dificult process. I've heard people say to check the slack with a person sitting on the bike, but i'm not sure how this would change the slack in the chain it only compresses the suspension doesn't it?

 

Yes, weight on the suspension will indeed tighten your chain. I used to have someone sit on my old 250R when I adjusted the chain, however, that machine was easy! I don't think that it would be easy on the Z/KFX just because of the axle alignment issue. This is the reason that I am concerned that my chain may be too tight now, because I couldn't compress the spring. Does your machine make any noise when pushing it forward? I just don't want to destroy my chain and sprockets, I thought that some of you might have a quick "trick" to measure chain slack other than the not-to-accurate measuring tape method. Thanks again.

 

That was the same problem I had with my stock swingarm on my Quadracers. Not trying to bash anything here, but I knew the minute the Z400/KFX were introduced that this was going to be a problem simply from my past experiances. Do yourself a favor and buy a round housing style swingarm. It will save lots of headaches! I also noticed that many Z/KFX frames are cracking arount the front top shock mount. That too seems to be a genetic trait carried over from Quadracers. These problems can be fixed though. Best of luck to you.

 

The clicking you are hearing sounds like the axle may be out running at an angle causing the chain to crawl up on the teeth of the sprocket then drop back on. I've heard of 2 different ways to adjust the chain on the Z/KFX, one is to take a tie down strap and compress the rear shock then adjust for minimal slack like 1/4". Note this is fully compressed, when the suspension compresses the chain will get tighter. If you have it too tight it can cause major problems while going through the suspension cycle. The other is like described in the owners manual. This is the way I use. The marks aren't off but the bolts are of different diameter. When you adjust the slack make sure the axle is straight by putting a straight edge across the CENTER of the bolts then adjust to the marks on the swingarm. The plate will not give an accurate reading since the bolts are of a different size. I admit it could be easier, but once you figure it out it really isn't that bad. Make sure to remove the rear brake caliper and use a torque wrench for tightening the bolts. After I finish the adjustment described above I will then compress my suspension with a tie down strap to make sure I still have slack in my chain.
I've had my KFX for about 3 months now and adjusted my chain 2 times no big deal. I have had none of the supposed frame or axle problem either. I jump quite regular and yes bottom my front shocks sometimes. Still no flaking paint or cracked frame. Go figure.

 

Use a ratchet style tie down and draw it down until the chain is at it's tightest, then adjust as needed.

KFXBob

 

I really appreciate the helpful information you guys are giving me. I have 2 new questions now. First, I have thought of using a tiedown to compress the suspension, however, where are you guys hooking it up exactly? The other question I have is about the hash marks again. You stated that I should put a straight edge on the bolts to line it up, are you telling me that the hash marks DO NOT line up then? The marks are lined up exactly right now, I just went and looked again, but I still get some "click click" when I push it forward. This is really confusing. I am sure that once I get through this once, it won't be a big deal, but my old 250r was cake compared to this!
Thanks again everyone.

 

Yes, there is a slim possibility that the hash marks can be misaligned, but usually they are correct. You may want to make some measurements to see if your axle is lined up with the front sproket. You can use a straight edge placed against the rear sprocket to see if it is aligned or not.

 

SleZuki's Quads have always been a pain to adjust chains. almost as bad as my OLD Honda 200X.
Loop the tie down(Ratchet style) from the rear grab bar under the axel and back to the grab bar.
Hope that helps!!
KFXBob

 

The only noises mine makes when rolling it back and forth are the rear disc squeaking and there is something inside of one of my rear tires, sound like a rock rolling around inside of it, don't know how that got in there though? Mine doesn't have any chain noise, i'll have to try the tie strap on the rear deal, that's a good idea.