Chain tension and tensioning a chain

i think this says it all ... a picture tells ....... etc

although this might be for a chainsaw chain the principle remains a little bit similar

http://www.motorcycleinfo.co.uk/resources/6795/assets/images/Ducati_MTS1200/how_to_faq/chain/multistrada_1200_adjusting_chain_tension_1.jpg

^ that tight and here's the science behind why

where n = the number of bikes you own and ln = when riding on london streets p = power of your left leg and a squared = the size of your arse

Publish a photo on lfgss and wait to see if anyone calls 'slack chain'. If not you are good to go.

Oh, by the way. You can't stretch a chain. The bearings wear down making it longer but it doesn't stretch.

Bearings you say?

I set mine up merge-tight.

so hippy can one stretch a chain ?

Only God can stretch a chain... but I promised the children of Earth not to do it again.

One can stretch a daisy chain.

Bearings you say?

Bearings, bushes, same sort of thing....

http://sheldonbrown.com/chains.html#stretch

not if we're being pedantic... (:

Oh, by the way. You can't stretch a chain. The bearings wear down making it longer but it doesn't stretch.

Depends on the type of chain. Half link chains stretch, standard chains don't

Depends on the type of chain. Half link chains stretch, standard chains don't

either way (bearinings, links etc`) this way does work pretty well and gives the bike a clean look. I used to always run single speed this way on a road conversion. I found those KMC single speed or Sram PC1 chains worked well, I'd measure so it was just a tad tight, then put the chain on a bmx cruiser, messenger on it for a day and by night time I had the chain perfect, then every week I'd replace about 4 links to take the slack out. I found those QBP or TA chainrings worked well with a shimano freewheel or dura ace fixed

If you can wiggle it up and down about an inch, you're doinitright...

Is this correct? Because mine's somewhat like this but given the sarcastic nature of a lot of the comments on this page I have no idea what to expect...

maybe 1-2cm movement up down should suffice
not too loose not too tight

Other way is seeing if the chain is nice and straight but lots of play.