If I check the position of my axle block marks versus the alignment marks on the swing arm. It appears the swing arm marks are off. I triple checked with a caliper from multiple positions and it appears that the marks on my axle for aligning the chain are slightly off. Anyone else find this? So what do we trust, the marks or the caliper? Is there an offset I don't know about?

So what do we trust, the marks or the caliper? Is there an offset I don't know about?

Place straight edge on rear sprocket. The longer the better. This will show you the point between front and rear. End of ruler should come up inside of link. This make sense ? Help lol. Sorry I'm not the best with words.

* Last updated by: Romans on 6/10/2013 @ 2:31 PM *

Checked the measurement on both sides going from the center of the swing arm pivot to the center of the axle, and it appears my marks are off by almost 1/16".

* Last updated by: Cblast on 6/10/2013 @ 2:38 PM *

How are they 'off'..the axle mark(block hash mark)is right there under the hash mark on the swingarm.If you look at the 'lineup' at an angle....it WILL look off.You have to look straight through the axle...and look at the marks now while doing that.It can't be off if you're doing it like that.You also have to kick the rear wheel forward before you do any turning on the adjuster bolts...to make sure it's fully against the bolts there.

Right grn, got all that. The center line tick marks on my adjuster blocks are fine. The actual marks on my swingarm are not the same when checked with a caliper on both sides. The actual marks I am supposed to align with are off.

If I align my axle exactly straight according to that dr no dude as well as double check by measuring the distance between swingarm pivot center and axle center, then triple check by using calipers to distance the center axle marks from the first front side flat on the swingarm, then the marks on my swingarm are incorrect.

Thank you Romans! That guy is goofy but good! I used both the straightedge and center point method to verify. My alignment marks on my swingarm are incorrectly scribed. By 1/16th" . No problem, now I know, I won't trust em. I would check that shit fellas.

* Last updated by: Cblast on 6/10/2013 @ 3:09 PM *

Never had this problem on my duc, she's only got one stem!

* Last updated by: Cblast on 6/10/2013 @ 3:10 PM *

" supposed to align with are off"...IDK what you mean..."supposed to".It's very simple...if you are 3 lines 'adjusted"...and have that on both sides....doing it the way I suggested...it will be fine.Kawasaki did not screw this up...IDK where this deal actually came from...some troll probably a long time ago.

Forget the 'caliper reads'...and go with the factory instructions on this.You can look at your sprocket and see if there's a strange wear pattern on it anyway...if you're unsure about your settings.It's very simple.If I can do it...anyone can;)

I've heard this thing several times....if Kawasaki 'misaligned' the hash marks...think of the lawsuits she would get concerning premature sprocket failure or chain wear issues.Fer God's sake..it's a 'performance' bike..not a mopedLOL!I'm 'pretty sure' they don't want a chain gouging into the nice sprockets(or chain) they supply,not so good for customer feedback...ya think?This 'measurement' deal can get way koo koo....they want guys to have reliable setups...NOT longevity problems.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 6/10/2013 @ 3:34 PM *

The marks on my axle are not in the same position on either side. That is a fact I verified several different ways. 'Forget what the caliper says'. I don't think so! I am not an internet troll. I never heard this shit anywhere. I have been working on bikes my whole life. When I went to pre ride check my bike today, the chain needed a slight adjustment. This led to me putting the bike on the stand and inspecting everything. During that inspection I realized that it kinda looked like my axle blocks were not in the same position despite the centerline marks being lined up with the swingarm ticks. So out comes the caliper and I have found that by indexing off of several points and measuring the position of the marks on my swingarm. That those marks are not even by 1/16" all the way down. I am not some retard with a piece of string trying to attach a playing card to my tire. I used a vernier caliper. A Lyman electric caliper and a straight edge. My marks are off. Ignore your caliper all you want. I don't do that.

* Last updated by: Cblast on 6/10/2013 @ 3:43 PM *

1. Run the adjuster bolts into the swing arm.
2. Grab a fingernail polish bottle with a bright color to it.
3. Paint one flat of the bolt head.
4. Since you can measure the thread's turns and they equal as in spiral pitch, we have even movement.
5. So count each flat and run them out to the axle blocks.
6. By hand, loosely tighten the axle nut.
7. By hand, press down on the lower rung of the chain.
8. If that axle bolt was loose enough, the axle now lands equally onto the adjuster bolts.
9. Find the high spot on the chain by pulling the upper rung to check slack and taught movements.
10. Set the chain to the tightest position and adjust the slack 1.3 to 1.5" from there.
11. Torque axle to 92 ft.lbs.
12. Line up the cotter pin hole either way to drop in a new cotter. Spread the cotter's legs out like a V.
13. Take more fingernail polish, paint the axle's lower inner hole so you can see it next time its position.
13. Without stressing threads at both swing and bolt, run a flat till it bottoms, but not too tight. Same on the other side. Which should have even flats when done tightening lock nut by hand. And those are not bolted too tight either, meaning, to the point of having the thread pitch pointed north is now 3 degrees NE and she won't free spin now.
15. Paint the nut's side with the polish where the cotter drops in between those sides. You now line up the cotter painted sides withe the lower painted position of the axle where the torque is now there @ 92 pounds.

* Last updated by: Hub on 6/10/2013 @ 3:48 PM *

I did exactly that hub! My adjuster screws, when adjusted to exactly the same number of turns out from in, and I adjust my chain and make sure all is square and in spec, tighten all down, them marks on the swingarm are still off.

" By hand, press down on the lower rung of the chain".....okay..do it HUB's way if ya please.If I may say...what a crock of shitLOL!What if he's not got a rear stand?Luv ya!

C'mon bro...just do it like I said...it'll be fine....honestly.Check that wear pattern at 500 miles(or less).(inside and outside that sprocket)...then say"it aint so"....;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 6/10/2013 @ 3:51 PM *

Geez.....c'mon Cblast...use yer head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just try 'pushing' the bike forward or backward on the kickstandLOL!This is 'why' guys 'can't' get it right.You need to tighten the axle bolt (snug it up as Hub said)..and then go from there.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 6/10/2013 @ 3:58 PM *

Grn, I mean you absolutely no disrespect sir! I did it both your way and then checked it several ways and my rear axle ain't straight when adjusted by the marks. So, I get my axle straight via centerline measurement and then I adjust either by counting threads (hubs method), or measuring with a caliper and using a visual straight edge guide (dr know method + my method), when all is square and in spec, those marks are off.

* Last updated by: Cblast on 6/10/2013 @ 4:35 PM *

I have a perfectly fine center stand grn

You're putting TOO MUCH into this.Align it with the marks.It's Kosher.Oil yer chain....Clean it as necessary...and ride!!!!!!!

And I know you mean me no dispect...ride on Bro,ride on.
';
love my 14R...I really do.If I can offer any way to make this 'ride more enjoying...I will;)

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 6/10/2013 @ 4:08 PM *

Thank you bud!

Wow I'm tired from reading. I don't have money to burn but I am so getting professional help with mine!
Mad love to the nation,
W

Don't need professional help. All a professional is gonna do is use hubs method to verify those marks or just measure from centerline of front swingarm pivot to centerline of axle. Even the manual says to use this method. Both methods will tell ya if your marks are correct or not. More importantly, both methods will get your chain adjusted without trusting those unreliable marks.

* Last updated by: Cblast on 6/10/2013 @ 4:33 PM *

And yes, the manual says to use the marks, but I checked em, and thy are off. Can't help that.