Before beginning, ensure you have all the tools and supplies needed to adjust the slack of your motorcycle chain. The specific sizes and materials depend on your motorcycle and personal preference. Generally, you’ll need chain cleaners, torque wrenches, socket wrenches to loosen the rear axle nut, a way to measure chain slack, wrenches to adjust chain tension, and chain lube. Verify socket and wrench sizes on your motorcycle. You’ll want shop towels to clean up oily messes and gloves for at least the chain cleaning part of the project.
Select a location with a solid, flat, level floor for adjusting your motorcycle chain slack. While you can do this task outside in nice weather, it’s best to avoid working in extreme temperatures. Freezing temperatures increase oil and grease viscosity, making them harder to remove and apply, and uncomfortable temperatures, hot or cold, could make you rush the process, potentially missing something important.
