Yamaha YZF-R125 Quiz
Periodic maintenance and adjustment

Drive chain slack

In this manual: Periodic maintenance and adjustment
Introduction — 1Important manual information — 1Safety information — 9Description — 4Instrument and control functions — 16For your safety - pre-operation checks — 1Operation and important riding points — 6Periodic maintenance and adjustment — 43Motorcycle care and storage — 4Specifications — 1Consumer information — 2
9steps
~54min
2/5difficulty
03060901201508563N·mlb·ft
Tightening torque found on this page
Done 0 of 9

The drive chain slack should be checked before each ride and adjusted if necessary.

To check the drive chain slack
  1. Place the motorcycle on the sidestand.
TIP
When checking and adjusting the drive chain slack, there should be no weight on the motorcycle.
  1. Shift the transmission into the neutral position.
  2. Move the rear wheel by pushing the motorcycle to locate the tightest portion of the drive chain, and then measure the drive chain slack as shown.

Drive chain slack: 30.0-40.0 mm (1.18-1.57 in)


  1. Drive chain slack

  2. If the drive chain slack is incorrect, adjust it as follows.
To adjust the drive chain slack
  1. Loosen the axle nut and the locknut on each side of the swingarm.

  1. Axle nut

  2. Drive chain slack adjusting bolt

  3. Locknut

  4. Alignment marks

  5. To tighten the drive chain, turn the drive chain slack adjusting bolt on each side of the swingarm in direction (a). To loosen the drive chain, turn the adjusting bolt on each side of the swingarm in direction (b), and then push the rear wheel forward. NOTICE: Improper drive chain slack will overload the engine as well as other vital parts of the motorcycle and can lead to chain slippage or breakage. To prevent this from occurring, keep the drive chain slack within the specified limits.
TIP
Using the alignment marks on each side of the swingarm, make sure that both drive chain pullers are in the same position for proper wheel alignment.
  1. Tighten the axle nut, then the locknuts to their specified torques.
Tightening torques:

Axle nut:

85 N·m

Locknut:

16 N·m

Test yourself

A quick Yamaha YZF-R125 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.