my oil chain is very slack on my virago xv 1100 in the bike manuel it shows a tensioner on the side of the chain guard but on my bike nothing do i get a new chain or is this the norm

Hi William, usually best if you say "Hi" in new members section before you ask a "how do I fix my bike" question, just so everyone knows your not a one hit wonder. Just sayin.

You're sure ther is no way to tighten the chain? Maybe take another look just to be sure. If the slack really is enough you could also remove a link form your chain. With most chains this is easily done. But I would definitely only do this as a tempory measure as your pushing the chain over its specs. A chain that did lengthen too much should be replaced anyway. 

1 hour ago, william jenkins said:

my oil chain is very slack on my virago xv 1100 in the bike manuel it shows a tensioner on the side of the chain guard but on my bike nothing do i get a new chain or is this the norm

Isnt the 1100 a shaftie.

I think he means 'oil pump chain' (?)

On 02/08/2016 at 3:15 PM, Cynic said:

Isnt the 1100 a shaftie.

Yes. Not quite sure what he means by oil chain/chain guard/tensioner. Methinks more info reqd

yeah but a quick google does seem to imply that indeed the oil pump on that bike is chain driven. So he's probably is talking about that.

Fit the chain cover loosely, push it agianst the chain to apply tension to the chain, then torque the cover bolts up to spec (10Nm)

The arm on the chain cover acts as a tensioner