2022 Kawasaki KLX300/KLX300SM Drive Chain
Drive Chain
Drive Chaín Lubrication
Lubrication is necessary after riding through rain or on wet roads, or anyy time that the chain appears dry. Use a lubricant for sealed chains to prevent deterioration of chain seals. If the chain is especially dirty, clean it using a cleaner for sealed chains fol- lowing the instructions supplied by the chain cleaner manufacturer.
- Apply lubricant to the sides of the rollers so that it will penetrate to the rollers and bushings. Apply lubricant to the seals so that the seals will be coated with lubricant. Wipe off any
excess lubricant.
- Wipe off any lubricant that gets on the tire surface.
- Drive Chain Slack Inspection
- Set the motorcycle up on its side stand.
- Clean the chain if it is dirty, and lubricate it if it appears dry.
- Rotate the rear wheel to find the position where the chain is tightest, and measure the maximum chain slack by pulling up and pushing down the chain midway between the engine sprocket and rear wheel sprocket.
- Chain Slack
- If the drive chain is too tight or too loose, adjust it so that the chain slack is within the standard value.
Drive Chain Slack
-
- Standard: 30-40 mm (1.2 1.6 in.)
Drive Chain Slack Adjustment
- Loosen the left and right chain ad- juster locknuts.
- Remove the cotter pin, and loosen the axle nut.
- Locknut
- Cotter Pin
- Axle Nut
- Adjuster
- If the chain is too loose, turn out the left and right chain adjusters evenly.
- If the chain is too tight, turn in the left and right chain adjusters evenly.
- Turn both chain adjusters evenly until the drive chain has the correct amount of slack. To keep the chain and wheel properly aligned, the notch on the left wheel alignment indicator should align with the same swingarm mark that the right wheel alignment indicator notch aligns with.
- Marks
- Notch
- Wheel Alignment Indicator
NOTE
-
- Wheel alignment can also be checked using the straightedge or string method.
WARNING
Misalignment of the wheel will result in abnormal wear and may result in an unsafe riding condition. Align the rear wheel using the marks on the swingarm or measure the distance between the center of the axle and the swingarm pivot.
- Visually inspect the axle nut for defor- mation or damage at the friction ring and caulking. If the axle nut is deformed or damaged, have it replaced by an authorized Kawasaki dealer.
- Friction Ring
- Caulking
- Tighten both chain adjuster locknuts.
- Tighten the axle nut to the specified torque.
Tightening Torque - Axle Nut: 110 Nm (11.2 kgfm, 81.1 ft:lb)
NOTE
-
- Olf a torque wrench is not available, this item should be serviced by an authorized Kawasaki dealer.
- Rotate the wheel, measure the chain slack again at the tightest position, and readjust if necessary.
- Install a new cotter pin through the axle nut and axle, and spread its ends.
- Cotter Pin
WARNING
A loose axle nut can lead to an accident resulting in serious in- jury or death. Tighten the axle nut to the proper torque and in- stall a new cotter pin.
- Check the rear brake (see Brakes section).