BIG DRIVECHAIN PROBLEMS!!!!

l3uddha · April 21, 2006, 07:35:15 AM

I've adjusted my chain myself a few times without too much trouble, but as of recently it won't maintain tension at all. I adjusted my chain 3 times yesterday, and each time I returned home & checked it; it was at full slack. I even tightened it, went for a 2 minute ride around the neighborhood to test it, and when I got home to check it it was at full slack again.

hopefully you guys can help- here are my symptoms (2004 F):

1) on the left (chain) side, the little metal plate between the end of the swingarm and the tension nut is slightly bent. I took it off & hammered it flat... it didnt help as far as I know.

2) the threaded nut used to align the wheel (that runs through that little metal plate) is slightly bent on the inside of the swingarm. again this is still the left (chain) side and I can see the bend in the bolt- it isnt deep inside the assembly. and it is only slightly bent. I should say I have no idea how it happened; I only noticed it yesterday.... and it isnt bent to the point where the nut will slip off the threads. the nut doesnt even reach the bend when I tighten the chain.

3) there is a ticking noise coming from (I think) the FRONT sprocket as I roll the bike back & forth. It ticks with each link on the chain. I was told this is a sure symptom of too much chain slack; however, It ticks BOTH right after I tighten the chain to proper slack and when I pull it in my garage and find it at full slack (as of yesterday).

4) each time I pull the bike into the garage & find the chain at full slack, It seems to be only the LEFT (chain) side that is coming loose. I'll try to tighten the nut on the RIGHT side I it won't turn easily. I try the LEFT side & there is quite a bit of play between the nut and the metal plate it rests against.

I think that's about it for now; I'm gonna give it a go this weekend and see if I can figure out the problem.... hopefully this wont be a costly repair. ANY HELP IS MUCH APPRECIATED!!!!!

TragicImage · April 21, 2006, 09:55:31 AM

take it to a shop.

scratch · April 21, 2006, 09:56:51 AM

How many miles on the chain? Maybe it's nearing the end of it's life.

leo · April 21, 2006, 11:04:13 AM

Quote from: l3uddha on April 21, 2006, 07:35:15 AM
I've adjusted my chain myself a few times without too much trouble, but as of recently it won't maintain tension at all. I adjusted my chain 3 times yesterday, and each time I returned home & checked it; it was at full slack. I even tightened it, went for a 2 minute ride around the neighborhood to test it, and when I got home to check it it was at full slack again.

hopefully you guys can help- here are my symptoms (2004 F):

1) on the left (chain) side, the little metal plate between the end of the swingarm and the tension nut is slightly bent. I took it off & hammered it flat... it didnt help as far as I know.

This was just happening to me recently. I took that off quite a few times, hammered it straight. It was always on the sprocket side too and actually on the left side of the metal plate. I also swapped metal plates from the other side.

So now it's been fine for almost two weeks. Since it kept caving in on the same side, I took off that metal piece again and I hammered in the opening of the swing arm. Not much, maybe a couple of mm or so, but now when you put that metal piece back on the swing end, that metal piece actually sticks out around it by a couple of mm. I have a feeling this solved it for me.

RVertigo · April 21, 2006, 11:35:11 AM

How tight are you setting the rear axle nut when you're done adjusting it? It's supposed to be ~50 Ft Lbs...

Something sounds pretty screwed up in there... You can also check the stretch of the chain, if the distance of 21 pins is over 12.5 inches, it's pretty much a toasted chain.

3imo · April 21, 2006, 12:12:51 PM

weird. you have any pics of the damage?

MarkusN · April 21, 2006, 01:15:41 PM

Could it be that something is messed up with the spacers and you actually loosen the axle when driving?

3imo · April 21, 2006, 01:34:01 PM

That would do it.

if the chain side spacer is missing, you could think everything was alright.
(although you probably had a Buddha Loves You of a time aligning it)

Then getting on the road would cant the wheel to the left causing major chain slack.

i bet you got this one MArkusN

stephan · April 21, 2006, 01:36:42 PM

Okay - well here are my thoughts . . .

You want to be careful about adjusting only one side of those bolts. I'm thinking that can mess up your rear wheel alignment. If the chain is not square from front sprocket to rear sprocket that would add to chain wear. Personally I measure from the nut to the end of the bolt to ensure that both sides are even. Not sure if it's required but it makes sense to me.

You may want to check your axle nut to make sure its tight. Having that too loose could allow the rear wheel to move which would effect chain tension.

Lastly it may be possible that your chain is simiply about worn out. Was it lubricated well (every 600 miles)? How many miles have you put on it?

Not sure if this helps or not - good luck to you!

3imo · April 21, 2006, 01:37:08 PM

Quote from: l3uddha on April 21, 2006, 07:35:15 AM
2) the threaded nut used to align the wheel (that runs through that little metal plate) is slightly bent on the inside of the swingarm. again this is still the left (chain) side and I can see the bend in the bolt- it isnt deep inside the assembly. and it is only slightly bent. I should say I have no idea how it happened; I only noticed it yesterday.... and it isnt bent to the point where the nut will slip off the threads. the nut doesnt even reach the bend when I tighten the chain.

except it doesn't explain this. i am having trouble visualizing what he discribes. thats why I asked for pics. from the sound of it, the damn thing is stripped. which would also cause severe slack in the chain.

but wadda I know?

3imo · April 21, 2006, 01:47:22 PM

if he's talking about part #20. I just don't understand what he is saying.

if part # 10 is missing then MARKUSN is right.

Blueknyt · April 21, 2006, 08:38:34 PM

some times its the spacer between the carrior and the hub, yeah, did the same things bent both rear backing plates for the adjusters, chain would loosen. no matter how tight i locked down the axle nut it shifted. CHEWED UP THE REAR TIRE FAST TOO. then i noticed that a spacer from the sprocket carrior fell out when i wasnt looking and i stuck the carrior onto the wheel and installed it. From the outside it looks normal, untill you apply the power to it. then the carrior cocks alittle bit putting extra strain on the axle. this really happens when wheelies are done or hard downshifts with braking. Ive since found the spacer and even welded some small bed frame angle Iron onto the backing plates and drilled holes for the bolts to protrude through. the biggest thing is that all the CORRECT spacers are in when the axle is tightend.

l3uddha · April 22, 2006, 01:10:53 PM

thanks for all the great feedback people! I wasn't expecting so much so soon.

It's saturday afternoon & I FINALLY have some time to go tinker with my bike. I just got soooo much going on right now & it's SUCKS that my "therapy" is on hold till this is fixed. I'm sure some of u know what I mean....

anyways; here are some questions answered:

1) I have about 4500 miles on this chain; lubricated about every 600 miles give or take 100 maybe. lately I'm very good about it; almost every time I ride. & I would think if a chain was worn out it would be a slow process.... not all the sudden just shaZam! the bed. hopefully.

2) I dont have a torq wrench; so I dont know exactly how tight I'm turning the axle nut. I tighten it enough, but let off on the last cotter-pin hole before the whole thing starts to spin with the bolt. Tight enough; but I dunno if it should be looser?

3) I'm pretty sure I havent lost that spacer ur talking about. I havent disassembled the rear wheel at all so that couldnt have come out.

4) 3imo when looking at your parts diagram the bent part IS the bolt on sticking out of part #20. But the slight bend is on the INSIDE of the swingarm when everything is assembled.

5) leo & Blueknyt I'm gonna go try your solutions right now & see if it helps. I'm actually pretty optomistic that the metal backing plate will turn out to be the big problem. all the mess is on the chain side, and my backing plate has bent in again; actually on the left side like u said leo. I can see how if that backing plate bent in, it would put a lot of pressure on that bolt and actually bend it some. It's not that the nut is slipping off the threads, but it's never actually tightening into place even though it feels that way with the wheel on the ground.

I'm gonna give it a go now; hopefully I'll get that dang thing solved. If not I'll post some pics.... and hope for the best. ANYWAYS; THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP SO FAR!!!!!

l3uddha · April 22, 2006, 02:46:44 PM

HALLELEUYAH!!!!!!!!

problem solved.
it WAS just those little metal backing plate bastards. I took 'em off, banged the left one flat again, and swapped sides with them. I also banged in the end of the swingarm (very) slightly to keep either of them from caving in again. Tested my results a few times & to my suprise IT WORKED !!!!!! THANKS EVERYBODY!!!!

P.S: any chance this thread could be moved to GS F.A.Q.? it was a HUGE help & I'd hate for it to get lost....

Blueknyt · April 22, 2006, 06:51:40 PM

Quotethe metal backing plate will turn out to be the big problem

this is a result of a problem not the problem itself. the onlything to bend those plates is the wheel/axle shifting, perhaps your not missing the spacer i was, but thats what My problem was. Yours may be another just as simple. properly setup and tightend those plates shouldnt see any of that kind of pressure. dont stop looking

3imo · April 24, 2006, 06:16:19 AM

well, he said the screw was bent too. was it hit by something? oh well, I just gotta see the damage.

I hope it works out for you.

l3uddha · April 24, 2006, 06:40:35 PM

seems to be fine so far, but I'm still waiting for a real test. I tweaked it saturday & it was 40 degrees out and has rained since. first chance I get I'll take it for a goooood ride in some sharp turns. yes the bolt is slightly bent, but I believe it was caused by the left side of the metal backing plate bending slightly into the swingarm. the bolt is bent to the left as well. no it couldnt have been hit by something.

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BIG DRIVECHAIN PROBLEMS!!!!