2022 Kawasaki Vulcan S Drive Chain
Drive Chain
Drive Chain Lubrication
Lubrication is necessary after riding through rain or on wet roads, or any 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 following 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.
A. 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: 10 20 mm (0.4 0.8 in.)
Drive Chain Slack Adjustment
- Remove the cap from the rear axle nut.
- Loosen the left and right chain adjuster locknuts.
- Remove the cotter pin, and loosen the axle nut.
A. Axle Nut
B. Cotter Pin
C. Adjuster
D. Locknut
- 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 indicator notch aligns with.
A. Marks
B. Notch
C. Indicator
D. Adjuster
E. Locknut
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 unsafe riding conditions. Align the rear wheel using the marks on the swingarm or measuring the distance between the center of the axle and the swingarm pivot.
- Tighten both chain adjuster locknuts.
- Tighten the axle nut to the specified torque.
Tightening Torque
Axle Nut: 108 (11 .O kgf•m, 79.7 ft•lb)
NOTE
- lf 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.
A. Cotter Pin
NOTE
- When inserting the cotter pin, if the slots in the nut do not align with the cotter pin hole in the axle shaft, tighten the nut clockwise up to the next alignment.
- It should be within 30 degrees.
- Loosen once and tighten again when the slot goes past the nearest hole
A. Turn Clockwise
WARNING
A loose axle nut can lead to an accident resulting in serious injury or death. Tighten the axle nut to the proper torque and install a new cotter pin.
- Install the cap to the rear axle nut.
- Check the rear brake (see the Brakes section).