Seized Chain Adjusters (New XJ6 etc.)

[bobh]

Most bikes now seem to have push-type chain adjuster bolts screwed directly into the swing arm. Simpler and neater than the older pull-type with a yoke, as fitted to the older XJ600's etc.

BUT leave them for any length of time and the exposed thread inside the swing arm rusts and the adjuster seizes. Or if it doesn't seize solid, the range of adjustment will be severely limited. And because the swing arm is usually aluminium, there's a good chance that forcing it will strip the thread (if the bolt doesn't shear off, that is).

Either way, the swing arm will probably have to come out to drill out the remains and Helicoil the thread - a real pain, particularly if the bike doesn't have a centre stand.

It's not just older bikes where this can happen - I've just found one on my 18-month-old MT-03, and that's only been through a single British winter (I was told it had been used for commuting into London, and its condition was certainly in line with that).

SO, every time you have the back wheel out to change the tyre, it's worth whipping out the adjusters and giving them a good old greasing to keep corrosion at bay.

[m40man]

Yep - same happened on the Fazer Thou a couple of years ago.

One snapped - can't get in with a drill to drill out (access - no way to line up the drill.)

Replaced the swing-arm instead.

....... anyone want a slightly used Fazer Thou swing arm, complete with half a chain adjuster ?

[bobh]

Phew - managed to rescue it, by spraying WD40 in through a hole in the swing arm, and gradually easing it out.

Part of the problem seems to be that the arms have these big elongated holes on the inside, but the only drain holes I can see are at the front - so any water/salt solution that gets in (and it does) can only get out again when braking hard or going down a steep hill. Hmm.... I think that's going to come off in the spring and be made a bit more holy.

[CD]

The reaction between carbon steel and aluminum will always chew away the steel. Apart from drain holes and anti seize paste, stainless threads might help.

[m40man]

Nov 10, 2012 22:24:06 GMT CD said:

The reaction between carbon steel and aluminum will always chew away the steel.

Can't speak for the new XJ6, but the Fazer 1000 chain adjusters screw into threaded steel sleeves in the ally swingarm, no steel/ally contact. Still snapped though .

[CD]

They are seriously cunning, those Japanese engineers.

Edit: I was wrong. The aluminium gets oxidised not the steel and stainless might be worse than mild steel.

www.zygology.com/productcart/pc/Galvanic-Corrosion-Chart.html