I hurt my bike today :(

[Raydr]

So, when I got two packages today, the LEDs and the new 15T sprocket, I rushed to get them both put on.

I spent about an hour today reading the forum about the "shoulder vs no shoulder" thing (my sprocket came WITHOUT while the current sprocket has it), and after reading that the few people who put the new sprocket on without a spacer/shoulder had no problems, I went that route. So far no problems or weird noises.

So, after I put the sprocket on, my chain was VERY loose. I had it on the center stand and tightened it up to about 1 1/4" of play. I hate to admit it but the main reason I put this sprocket on was to assist me in popping wheelies...

Well, it worked. Much easier and faster acceleration too. I do dislike how fast the RPMs go up but I'll adjust...

Anyway, I go to pop another wheelie and the front goes up and I hear a "pop". This scares me so I stop the bike and notice the chain has like 3" of play now. I'm thinking some how I stretched the hell out of it or shifted the engine or something, so I push it back home and take the cover off and everything looks perfectly fine. It doesn't make sense...

So I figure, well, maybe I need to tighten it up again, then I realize what I'd done.

This:


(I took the picture AFTER loosening the bolt)


That metal plate is bent inward into the arm. I pulled the plate off and hammered it back to it's original shape. I came here to reread the tightening thing and realize my mistake was relying on the tightness while it was on the center stand. So, I did it properly this time and put it back together.

The bike runs fine but after my extended test run I noticed that the plate has become bent inward again and the chain has a lot of play again. It's not a dangerous amount of play but I think I'm going to have to replace the plate. I guess it's also possible I didn't tighten the axle enough since I did it by hand...

[Alphamazing]

Hammer out the plate and put it back on and make sure to tighten your rear axle nut to proper torque specs since you're doing wheelies.

Also, you need to adjust your chain tension on the SIDE stand.

Chain tension is between .8" and 1.2". Shoot for an even 1.0"

[Egaeus]

What do you mean you tightened it by hand?

[Raydr]

What do you mean you tightened it by hand?

Sorry, by "hand" i meant with a wrench, as I didn't have a proper socket size or an extra person to hold the nut on the other side.

I have a question about the "even 1.0" though...

Does that mean that I should pick a spot on the chain (like the center?), and make sure it doesn't move more than 1.0 inches up and down?

Or does it mean that from the highest point of the top of the chain, to the bottom point of the bottom of the chain should move 1 inch?

[Alphamazing]

I have a question about the "even 1.0" though...

Does that mean that I should pick a spot on the chain (like the center?), and make sure it doesn't move more than 1.0 inches up and down?

Or does it mean that from the highest point of the top of the chain, to the bottom point of the bottom of the chain should move 1 inch?

It means you pick a point about half way between the sprockets and make sure the chain doesn't move UP an inch from where it sits (which is as far down as it can go).

[Raydr]

It means you pick a point about half way between the sprockets and make sure the chain doesn't move UP an inch from where it sits (which is as far down as it can go).

Thanks!

[Wondertwin]

I wouldn't think you need another person to hold a wrench on the head of the axle while you tighten the nut.  Unless you only have one wrench...

[ashman]

how tight do ya'll make the axle nut? i normally make it what i'd call snug. i kinda worry its too loose sometimes. too tight and the rear wheel doesnt turn too freely

-ash

[Jace009gs]

should be cranking that rear axle down to about 65ft/lbs....that's more than snug up there past tight....NE-ways

bend it back by hitting it with a hammer on the concrete floor then re-adjust the chain and tighten the rear axle all they way down and put a cotterpin in the nut.