85 250r Chain Tension Problems

[Jaredkov]

Alright guys I'm having trouble keeping the chain on my 85 R to remain tensioned.

I adjust it out and snug the retaining bolts on the swingarm down good to lock it in, but after a few hours of riding it becomes loose or it will cause the chain to become overtightened.

Any ideas of what could be going on?


Thanks
Jared

[DeePa]

axle bearings? swinger bearings? possibilities

[Jaredkov]

How do i go about checking the axle bearings?

[Jaredkov]

Can anybody help me out with this?

[GPracer2500]

Is your bearing carrier actually moving? What I mean is, when you get the chain adjusted, go ride, and find the chain is too loose or too tight, is it because the carrier is moving from where you had set it?

Also, make sure your chain/sprockets don't have a drastic tight spot and loose spot. If your finding that sometimes your chain is too tight and other times it's too loose then this seems the likely cause. It can drive you crazy when adjusting the chain until you figure out what's going on. I haven't seen it so much on ATVs, but nearly all motorycles I've owned have had varying degrees of "tight" and "loose" spots depending on how the wheel was oriented. Tolerences in the chain, sprockets, and hub are responsible. I think its mostly the hub and rear sprocket--actually the mounting interface of the two.

Make sure you're adjusting your chain with it oriented in its tightest position. Then rotate the wheels around to the loosest postion and make sure it's not TOO loose in that spot.

[4cylinders]

hey, check your swing arm, and axle bearings. loose bearings can cause problems.

[Jaredkov]

Is your bearing carrier actually moving? What I mean is, when you get the chain adjusted, go ride, and find the chain is too loose or too tight, is it because the carrier is moving from where you had set it?

Also, make sure your chain/sprockets don't have a drastic tight spot and loose spot. If your finding that sometimes your chain is too tight and other times it's too loose then this seems the likely cause. It can drive you crazy when adjusting the chain until you figure out what's going on. I haven't seen it so much on ATVs, but nearly all motorycles I've owned have had varying degrees of "tight" and "loose" spots depending on how the wheel was oriented. Tolerences in the chain, sprockets, and hub are responsible. I think its mostly the hub and rear sprocket--actually the mounting interface of the two.

Make sure you're adjusting your chain with it oriented in its tightest position. Then rotate the wheels around to the loosest postion and make sure it's not TOO loose in that spot.

Yes the carrier is moving from where i had it set, I marked the carrier and swingarm with whiteout to make sure that is whats happening.

[Jaredkov]

No one else has ran into this before?

How do i check the rear wheel bearings? What should i be lookin for?

Jared

[nate b]

I had that same problem, bearings were fine, chain and sprockets were newer. Finaly just went and got a new swingarm. Dont know what caused it but I asume the end of the swingarm was just stretched.
NATE

[Jason Hall]

Check the bottom of the swingarm pinch point, I've seen them tear from being over tightened. This couuld cause your problem. The outer ends of the swinger Is where the carrier Is squeezed tight.