APRILIA RS 50 - 1999 Manual page 66

Carefully read p. 55 (MAINTENANCE).
This motorcycle is equipped with a chain
and master link.
When the master link is installed, the clip
(1) must be installed with the closed end in
the direction of travel as shown above.
 
WARNING
An excessively loose chain can come
off the sprocket which can result in a
serious accident and serious damage to
the motorcycle from the upset and sub-
sequent serious injury or even death.
Do not ride your motorcycle with an im-
properly adjusted chain, see p. 67 (AD-
JUSTMENT).
To inspect the condition of the chain,
grasp the chain where it goes around
the sprocket and try to pull it away from
the sprocket. If you can move it more
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66 use and maintenance RS 50
than one-eighth of an inch away from
the sprocket, the chain is worn out and
the c hai n an d bo th front and rear
sprockets must be replaced. See your
Local Delear.
 
CAUTION
Lack of maintenance can cause prema-
ture wear of the chain and damage to
the sprockets.
Maintain your chain more often if your
motorcycle is used on dusty or muddy
roads.
CHECKING THE PLAY
To check the play:
Stop the engine.
Position the motorcycle on the stand.
Shift to neutral.
Check the chain play. It should be 0.98 –
1.38 in (25 – 35 mm) at mid-bottom span
as shown above.
Move the motorcycle forward or back-
ward, or support the rear wheel in the air
and turn the wheel to several positions,
to check the chain slack at several loca-
tions. If the slack is markedly different
with the wheel in different positions, the
chain and sprockets must be replaced.
 
WARNING
Do not ever operate your motorcycle
with a damaged chain. This could
cause wheel seizure which could lead to
an upset with subsequent serious injury
or death. Lubricate your chain fre-
quently to minimize the possibility of
this kind of damage, see p. 67 (CLEAN-
ING AND LUBRICATION).
If the play is the same at several locations,
but is more or less than 0.98 – 1.38 in (25
– 35 mm), adjust it, see p. 67 (ADJUST-
MENT).