hi barry

indeed there is only very little space left in order to fix the chain (as long as you do not use the "halfrings" from the netherlands, cf. thread above. In this case you have much more freedom in this respect).

Indeed, vee2duc (cf. thread aboce) and I are using the avon azaro with the 15 / 40 combination.
I put the excenter in a three o'clock position if you look on the bikke from the left hand side (cf. pics of the bike). This is not the usual position, but mr. liedman from ducati germany recommended this as it leads to the same "lift" of the bike on both axes (about 12 mm for the front and the rear wheel). I mentioned that in my thread at the beginning of this topic.

Giving this situation, I bought a 520 DID chain with 110 parts. The only way I was able to thighten the chain was with a 15 front and a 40 rear. Before the conversion, I was using 14 / 40 but I ran into the same problems as you describe with the 15 / 40 combination. I also thried 15 / 41 but it did not work too. I have not an answer here, I am sorry, because 15 / 40 with 108 links on the 520 DID chain did work for me and for vee2duc as well. Maybe there is some variance here because the bikes are not new anymore and used to have some variance in producation as well. However, my bike is certainly in original condition in respect to swingarm etc., I am sure that no changes had been made.

I am sure you will find some combination that will work, but indeed, since there is very little room left because of the larger radius of the tire, this is one disadvantage of this conversion (I mentioned that at the beginning of this thread).

Please let us know if you could solve the problem, if you need closer pics of these parts / swingarm etc. please let me know. I can make additional fotos.

all the best, hardo

"Quote" Bought a new chain today 108 x 520 Still to slack and it will only get longing, I will try 106 and a 14 x 40,

strange that you got yours chain right using 108 with 15 x 40 , I have just no more adjustment left to tighten chain, 106 on the 15 x 40 jams tyre and will not clear , any help most welcome "quote"


Barry I had the same problem, my sollution was to put a "half link" into the chain. This is not ideal because you then need 2 split links to join the chain but i took things easy and now after just a few hundred miles the chain has just stretched enough to take the half link out.

hi barry

it is still a nice bike and already getting exotic with a lot of fun to drive.

the tire problem is really a pain, but going back to the michelin tires is - at least in my mind - no option anymore.

e.g., the avon tires perform so much better than the michelin, even in the state the michelins were brandnew.

the michelin still have a tire design from the 1980th, no real modification had been done.

you are still able to get some nos (e.g., at ebay; i can also get some here in switzerland), but they had been produced in 2004 or earlier. it is for me no option, the tires are no good under normal driving conditions, don't buy such expensive old tires made of wood

as described in this thread, I had no problems in changing the tires and I also got an approval for 20 swiss francs from the vehicle inspection. the paso behaves like a new bike, the avon tires perform in my opinion very well on the paso.

all the best, hardo

Hi Hardo,

You have me with the michelins, I did not ride the bike with the old tyres on.

So I do not know what it was like with the Michelins on, so when its on the road , I will let you know what the avons are like,

Today I fitted the 14 tooth x 40 rear, with the 106 chain old and new , still to tight but nearer than last time, I am waiting for two half links that are on order from holland, should be here this week , so we will see if this helps allowing the chain to fit with correct adjustment, My old chain was only about 3m away from allowing the rear wheel and tyre freedom within the swinging arm so near but not right. The half link should do the trick, both new and old chain will stretch with use and the tyre will get smaller so I should in a 1000 miles be able to remove the half link,

Will let you both know the outcome, hopefully soon.

best regards to both Barry

Hi Barry

maybe it is only me but I could not really understand where the problem you have to face is exactly. As described I was only able to tighten the chain with the 15 / 40 combination and using a chain with 108 units. Does the chain touch other elements of the bike, for instance the swingarm or the tire? Clearly the halfrings should help to have more freedom in tightening the chain - in particular whenever the chain gets longer after using. I have very little space left to adjust the chain (it is less severe with a 180 / 60 / 16 because the radius of such a tire is a bit smaller). However, I am not aware of any other problem here. Maybe we can help with some additional information.

All the best, Hardo

Hi, Your combination worked 15 x 40 x 108 but the chain was hanging off and would not adjust tight, all other items were fine no touching of chain on wheel etc it was far to loose new or old chain made no difference.

Then tried the following .....106 was far to tight and jamming the tyre.

I then tried 106 x 14 x 40 far to tight, even with a smaller gearbox sprockit.

today I fitted an half link to both chains old and new perfect with both, approximatly still 50 % of additional adjustment left to tighten when needed , I should in time be able to remove half link when tyre gets worn and chain gets longer. I fitted chain with a soft end pin link instead of a split link , time will tell but its back together.

thanks everybody for your posting on the matter.


regards Barry.

Hi Berry

Before you used the half rings, with excenter position did you choose / try? For instance, you can see on my pics in this thread that I am using the 2 o'clock position (if you look from the left side to the bike). With the chain getting longer by using, I have very little space to adjust the chain (I did not see this as a very severe point as I had not to adjust the chain used before for a very long time - one just needs to use a good one).

However, if it really gets much longer, I may buy the halfrings because you need to move the excenter in the rear direction to adjust the chain. Hence I did not really unterstand why you thing of geeting rid of the halfrings if the chain gets longer by wearing. Am I wrong here?

Thanks, Hardo

Hi Hardo

I tried every position possible with no joy, with a full 106 chain to tight., the 108 was just to big on all positions.

The reason for the half ring removal is simple the chain is weak at that point due to the half ring being much lighter in steel than the rest of the chain ,they are made that way without the support of a side plate.( side plate fits one end only) Its alink that reduces in wall size to fit between supporting plates....

when the chain gets longer and the tyre wears, I should be able to fit the chain at 106 without the half link, this being the weak link.

Then the chain will be the same thoughout with side plates on all links and no split pin link.. solid chain right through.



regards Barry

thanks berry for the clarification. now I got the point here.

are you sure you use a 520 DID chain? differences could come from the intervall setting (perhaps not the right word here) of different chains (like 525 or 530). Vee2duc and I are using 520 with the 15 / 40 sprocket combination.

all the best and keep on riding, hardo

Hi Hardo.

Old chain DID 520 x 108 or-ring.

new chain DID 520 or-ring now 106 x 520


Looking at your bike you have no adjustment left, on the chain tensioners, you may also have to reduce your chain in time to gain tension.

regards Barry

Another point thay "may" have made a slight difference between bikes is the welding on the inside of the swingarm at the front.
Some welds may be higher especially at the start or finish, this may be a few mill difference but it all adds up and sanding the welds flat will give a bit more space.

Barry when your up and running we'll have a meet at Southport or Rivvy pike sometime

@barry

thanks for the clarification.

yes, you are right, I have almost no freedom left to adjust the chain. However, with the old chain I was able to do 8.000 km withount any adjustment. I do not know how that is possible (all other bikes I have / had before needed regular adjustment). Whenever the chain gets too long I will check the next steps (buy new chain, change sprockets / buy halfrings ....). In any case, I am very happy that the tire problem is solved - at least for some time - and I really hated the Michelin tires and are very happy how the Avons perform on the bike.

@barry and @ukizook

this must be the answer, there must be some variance in the production in respect to the length of the swingarm. Maybe also the condition / adjustment of the shock absorber may has an (smal) influence.

@barry

please show pics whenever you got the bike back

Will do for both a photo or 2 and a ride out, The weld is proud but only about 2 m , it was not the weld,

otherwise I would have dressed it flush. I was about 8m to tight on tyre with the 106 x 14 x 50 the half link did the trick now about 14m clearence with 50% adjustment left on chain tensioner.

thanks Both Barry