Chain Slop

[Popeye]

Went riding this weekend, but probably should have stayed at home instead. Hit a tree on my 200 and bent some really nice forks, pushed a mint fender back into my exhaust and melted it, threw my chain, and drove the most rusty, crusty nail I've ever seen into the side of my thumb and under the nail. (feels like my whole hand is gonna fall off). But had fun though lol.

Anyways, I had just put a new chain on the trike but didn't replace the sprockets. Noticed some slack in the top of the chain and it was scratching at the front sprocket on the bottom end. I'm thinking the rear end may be out of line because when I was replacing my brakes the rear end slid over a little bit in the carrier. I pulled it back and thought I had lined up. Might be off though. But what about the slack in the top of the chain. Will new sprockets fix this?

Thanks.

[Blown 331]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding but the chain being loose on top is no different than being loose on the bottom, just tighten it up.

[Popeye]

My bad, I meant to mention that the tensioner is all the way tight. I guess it is no different whether the slack is at the top or bottom, but I replaced it originally because it was kinda falling off the bottom. Now it just seems to be sagging at the top. You'll have to excuse my ignorance lol- been riding for a while, but not working on them.

[fabiodriven]

Take a link out of your chain.

[Blown 331]

You bought a new chain and its still loose with the axle adjusted all the way back? Sounds like the new chain might be too long.

Edit. Fabio just beat me.

[Popeye]

I'm looking at the manual and I think I am reading it right. If the adjusting nut is all the way tight on the bolt does that mean the axle is adjusted all the way back? If so, then yea I am gonna have to remove a link. Thanks for mentioning that. Why would that happen though. Just from being old? I bought a chain for a 200, so it shouldn't be too long.

Thank ya'll

[Blown 331]

Maybe your front sprocket is smaller than stock? That would make a stock replacement chain too long.

[fabiodriven]

Either sprocket could be a different size from stock.

[Popeye]

I can just count the teeth huh? I thank both of ya'll for walking me through it. Looking at it closely now I think my rear axle is off line. Is there an easier way to tell than just eye balling it?

[dougspcs]

I'm thinking the rear end may be out of line because when I was replacing my brakes the rear end slid over a little bit in the carrier. I pulled it back and thought I had lined up. Might be off though.

I got bit concerned by what you said in your 1st post, but everyone else is talking about your chain and sprockets. Have you checked the rear carrier bearings? A loose rear axle will mean you'll never get your chain tension right..plus alot more damage in the very near future!

With the chain off and machine supported yank on the rear axle in all directions..there should be no movement.

Sounds like you may more repairs in line beside your trashed forks!!

[fabiodriven]

I meant to come back and add what Doug just said. I was a bit busy when I posted earlier.

Just like he said though, you need to take a look at what's going on back there and find out why your axle isn't where it should be.

[Popeye]

I checked the rear axle before I replaced the chain and it had no movement. I've got the chain off now and I will check it again. It fell out when I was doing the brakes. Thought I had it lined up, then wasn't sure, but looking out it now it seems fine. There is a little less than a 1/4'' gap between the rear sprocket mount and the carrier. My chain sounded like it was scraping the bottom end, but I think it may have just been the chain rattling because it was loose because I don't have any scrape marks down there. The front sprocket did seem a little loose though, but the 3 bolts were tight. I'm gonna count my sprocket teeth, check the rear end for movement, and then if that is all okay take a link out of the chain. Probably need to replace the sprockets but I am short on funds.

Edit: The 1/4'' gap I mentioned is just between the flat part of the sprocket mount and the carrier. The tapered part of the mount is nearly flush with the carrier. Also there is absolutely no movement in the rear end. Bearings should be fine then right? Still don't explain why everything is tight and the chain is loose. Anybody else feel like the more you try to fix these machines the more damage you do lol? I month ago I had a raggedly looking trike that ran like a top- put $500 in it and it is falling apart lol. Kinda like a rusty radiator that don't leak- you flush it out and all the sudden it's pouring water lol.

Only thing left is to count the teeth on the sprockets. Anybody know the stock sizes for an 81 ATC 200?

[Popeye]

I think stock gearing is 11/47 and my rear sprocket is a 43 tooth. Chain is a 90 link like it is supposed to be. There's my problem I guess. Should I buy a sprocket or shorten the chain? Kinda relieved that it wasn't anything worse. I'll probably go ahead and get both sprockets when I get paid at the end of the month. Buddy's got a front end I can borrow until I get mine straightened. I'll start another thread to ask about that.

Thanks to all of ya'll for your patience and expertise- especially fabio. I know he doesn't have much time for ignorance lol.

[3wheelrider]

Cheaper to shorten the chain (free). You would gain more pulling power if you go back to a 47 tho -if you dont mind buying the sprocket. But you would lose a little top speed which you dont really need on that thing anyway. Your call........

[Popeye]

I was thinking shorten the chain too, but I'd be worried about having to guess and getting it too tight or not tight enough. Probably end up just buy new sprockets. Have to think on it. Thanks for your opinion and letting me know the difference. Pulling power is more important to me on this bike. But, right now I can smoke my buddy's 185s but he is having carb issues though.

[zzmegad]

yep buy the new sprockets, it is best to replace the sprockets and chain all at once anyways. I always go with steel sprockets.