I have a 1995 polaris 300 4x4 and I just picked up a new rear chain. I know how to make the tension adjustments, but I'm still unsure of how much tension it should have. I have searched the site for answers but they are a bit unclear. I read that anywhere between 3/8" and 1" of play is suitable, but the threads never say if the rear suspension should be bottomed out or not .Can someone help me out with this? I'm taking a long trip next weekend and I want to make sure I don't pop a chain in the middle of the woods, or worse yet, damage the transmission due to over tightening. As always, your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot
-Elliot

 

I have someone sit on the quad close to my weight. I then adjust the tension to about 1/2 inch. Hope this helps and where you going.

 

That helps a lot man, thanks. We are hitting some trails in a little town called Harmarville. It's about 15 miles outside of Pittsburgh. From what I hear, there are 40 miles of trails that run through the hills along side RT. 28. It should be a blast.

 

JMO: You are better off having a drive chain "too loose" rather than too tight (to a limit, of course). If you have it too tight, you will wear your sprockets faster and your chain will stretch sooner.

 

Yeah, I'm trying to avoid over tightening it. I have it just a hair over 1/2" when I'm sitting on it. When I was adjusting it, I collapsed the suspension with tie down straps. It looks kind of loose when no one is on it, but it's spot on. Thanks again for your help.

 

Understand why you want slack with the chain, but how exactly do you measure it? I mean, is slack measured by the amount of vertical play in the chain, or by other means? Thanks.

JG

 

JG: GENERALLY you would measure the vertical play about midway between the sprockets.