Ask South East Biker Pete
Dear Pete,
The chain adjusters on my Bandit 600 are as far back as I can get them, but the chain is still too loose. Will it be okay to shorten the chain by taking a link out?
Bandit Rider - via email.
Dear Bandit Rider,
Removing a link will shorten the chain, but it won’t cure the problem! The reason why your chain is too long is that it has worn and stretched to the point where it will no longer fit properly on the sprockets. As a chain wears, the distance between the rivets gets longer. If you then compare the gap between the teeth of your rear sprocket, you will see the two do not match. You will also, I expect, see signs of wear on the sprocket as well like excessive wear on the driven side of the teeth which gives them a “dog tooth” appearance. My advice is, replace your chain and sprockets as a set. You will then notice a reduction in noise, vibration - and it’ll be a lot safer!
Dear Pete,
I have a friend who rides a VFR 400. When helping him check the oil recently, it was on the very bottom edge of the dipstick but he said it was okay as the dipsticks are too short on these bikes. The engine seems to be running okay, so maybe he’s right. Do Honda make a longer dipstick for this bike?
Gary, Haywards Heath.
Dear Gary,
I suspect your friend may have misread his owner’s handbook… The dipstick is made to a very specific length and has to be used with the bike in an upright and level position. My advice to your friend is that there is only room for one dipstick on a bike, and to check his oil level more thoroughly!