Cleaning air filter, Tightening chain help.

[Joerider07]

Ok im cleaning the air filter on my 08 yz450f im using simple green do i need to wash the solution off with water after i spray it on and squeeze it out or let it dry and then spray the oil on? Should i let the oil dry some after i spray it on? When i tighten my chain it says it should have 1.9-2.3 inches of slack in the chain from the little plastic peice to the chain when i hold it up while the tire is elevated, But it just feels too tight.

[grayracer513]

If you use Simple Green for anything, always rinse it out/off thoroughly.

To adjust chain tension, the bike needs to be on a stand with the rear wheel off the ground. Set it to at least 1.9" or as loose as 2.3" measured from the rearmost screw in the chain slider to the chain, with the chain raised as far as it can be. I use the maximum figure on this (2.2-2.4").

[Joerider07]

Ok thank you. Do i let the water dry before i put oil on the filter?

[grayracer513]

Absolutely.

[Joerider07]

Ok and let the oil dry some before i put it back on? What would happen if i had the chain too tight?

[KJ790]

Ok and let the oil dry some before i put it back on? What would happen if i had the chain too tight?

Yes let the oil dry before riding it. Air filter oil has solvents in it to make it watery and easier to apply to the filter. These then dry after the oil is on the filter and the oil becomes tackier.

If your chain it too tight you will destroy your hub.

[Joerider07]

Ok well i can i put the filter on today or should i leave it off to dry im not riding it today. How can i tell if its too tight besides measuring it? Is there a way?

[KJ790]

Ok well i can i put the filter on today or should i leave it off to dry im not riding it today. How can i tell if its too tight besides measuring it? Is there a way?

You can put the filter back in after oiling it, just wait at least an hour or two before starting it. I always oil my filters and put them in the night before I'm gonna ride.

The best way to tell if the chain is too tight is to measure it. Another option is to ride it and see if the hub explodes, but this method normally racks up parts bills and hospital bills pretty quickly.

[grayracer513]

Ok well i can i put the filter on today or should i leave it off to dry im not riding it today. How can i tell if its too tight besides measuring it? Is there a way?

I oil my filters and let them hang out for 24 hours before installing them. That way they don't drool in the air box.

There is a fool proof way to determine if your chain is set right.

>Remove the relay arm bolt from the swing arm

>Raise the swing arm to the point at which the centers of the output shaft, swing arm pivot, and rear axle are on the same line with each other

> Hold in that position, and set the chain to have 1/4" of free slack( up and down ) for each foot of distance between sprockets.

Or, since that's how Yamaha arrived at the numbers they use, you can just measure by the book and take their word for it.

Do be certain to check that your chain has no tight or loose spots in it, and if it does, set the chain tension at the tightest point.

[Joerider07]

Ok thanks guys.

[02YZFkid]

Hey guys,

while we are on the topic of filter oil... what do you guys like to use? I have some of the stuff in the spray can, but its hard to get even coverage with that. If thats what you use then do you have any pointers on how to spread it more evenly? Better yet do you have any pics of oiled filters... im curious just how much oil you guys use.

thanks!

-Rob

[grayracer513]

I use FFT by Maxima, because it's more economical than the Maxima FAB-1 spray I used to use, which is the same oil in a spray. Using a spray, you still have to accomplish the same thing, which is to get a coating of oil on the entire mass of the foam, both inside and out, through and through. Spraying it on the outside doesn't get it done; you have to work the oil in by hand anyway, so why not just use a liquid and save the money?

Read:

https://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5848220#post5848220

[KJ790]

I've used Bel Ray filter oil for many years. I have tried others and always go back to the Bel Ray. I'm not a fan of the spray on oils, it seems like I go through it way too fast and it costs me more. I just put the oil in an old water bottle with a pop top and then I can put it right where I want it on the filter and work it in.

[Ga426owner]

Joe get yourself a 2nd filter. This will help with the process of always having a freshly oiled filter ready. You can also store them oiled or non oiled in a Ziplock bag. I use Belray for Filteroil, and clean filters in Kerosene then rinse out with water. Make sure if using Simple Green that you get all SG residue out with water before letting the filter airdry. A 50/50 mix with water will help you do this also and gives plenty of cleaning power.

On the chain tightening issue. Measure your 3 middle fingers (#2,3 & 4) at the middle finger nuckles/hinge joints. Mine are equal to the 1.9 -2.2inch tolerances and that can be changed +/- by moving farther up or down while under the chain on the top of the swingarm. I place them on top of the swingarm under the chain at the rear of the top chain slider. This is how I measure chain tension and it has worked for me for over 20yrs. Most important make sure the chain adjuster on both sides is aligned correctly and evenly:thumbsup:

[Family Man]

Like grey suggests, the best method for cleaning filters is probley mineral spirits and the some of the best filter oil is

Maxima FFT. Cleaning your filters with Mineral Spirits is actually easier than No-toil and you get the benifit of using much better oil.

[1998YZ400F]

for cleaning i would rather not use something i dont want getting in my engine, i.e. simple green and especially water. i use gasoline to clean mine because it obviously doesnt hurt to get in the carb and motor plus it dries faster than water. for oil i use conventional motor oil, typically a heavy weight though and let that dry for a little bit.

[grayracer513]

If the filter is oiled properly, any water would be forced out during the process. Likewise, solvent residue is simply absorbed into the oil and carried off by the evaporation of the volatile components of the filter oil.

Gasoline should never be used as a cleaning solvent for any reason. It is too toxic in both liquid and vapor form, and ridiculously dangerous from a fire standpoint.

[corndog67]

I just bought a leftover, new 06 450F. I have 2 rides on it, neither over a couple of hours, and it seems that the chain is going away real fast. I know I don't ride that hard, and I am not anywhere near the rider I used to think I was, but are these chains just junk? It has a lot of side play, I keep it clean and lubed, but it sure feels like a chain that has been ridden on for a year. The sprocket doesn't seem to have any appreciable wear to it, but I bought a new steel one for it anyway. A new chain is coming next week, but I've never had to replace a chain in less than a month before. And this is after going through 35 bikes over the last 35 years. What kind of chain life have you guys gotten out of a new, stock chain on a 450?

[grayracer513]

What kind of chain life have you guys gotten out of a new, stock chain on a 450?

My first one lasted all the way around the block once. Then I threw it in the trash. My second one had two rides on it when I bought the bike, and I pitched it, too.

The trouble with tryng to get any life out of the stock chain is that it eats up two perfectly good sprockets. The OEM sprockets on the first one that got a good chain on day one lasted 22 months.