I keep throwing the chain - 86250R

[Micahdogg]

I purchased a new chain/sprocket kit, installed, tightened the chain and again...after riding a few hours I stretched and threw the chain.

I'm guessing at this point that the axle is just tweaked....which would also explain why the bars kinda slap back and forth a little bit if I let go of my grip.

I'm aware of Durablue and Lonestar....but does anyone else offer an aftermarket extended axle? I think a +2 would be ideal for me. I've got +4 now via wheel spacers and it's just a little tight for woods stuff.

Micah

[Jason Hall]

Are the carrier bearings bad??

[1BFC]

RPM Dominator II is another choice (a bit pricey).

You'd want a 1986 Fourtrax 250R axle from them. It 100% for sure fits with zero modifications.

[atctim]

set the trike on level ground. Stand beside it/. Grab a hand grip and rock the bike back and forth. Is it tight?

[Russell 350X]

Sounds like axle bearings. Check em.

[Micahdogg]

The bearings are tight. I had it up in the air and the carrier feels solid...so do the swing arm pivot bearings.

[Dirtcrasher]

Is the sprocket bent? Sprocket hub bent or sloppy? Is there any other misalignment anywhere?? Is it the right axle??

Chains are either too loose or there is an issue somewhere when they fall off repeatedly.....

[Micahdogg]

Here is the thing. When I investigated the bearings and spun the axle while the trike was in the air, everything looked A-ok. My chains are not rubber band tight, but not loose....about 1-1.5 inches of slack.

I finally put a straight edge on the sprocket and sure enough...it was tweaked a bit. So I ordered a brand new chain and sprocket set. As soon as I installed the sprocket I noticed it was also showing up a little tweaked after tighted all the way down. So I assume the sprocket hub is tweaked....or the axle is tweaked or both.

With the new sprocket it looked less tweaked than with the old sprocket, so I installed the chain "rubber band" tight. After an hour of hard riding, I noticed the chain getting fairly loose. After two more hours of hard riding, it finally threw the chain.

My buddy said the left rear looked tweaked....but he couldn't tell if it was the rim or the axle. So I really don't know WTF is going on. The thing doesn't really shake around bad like a typical bent axle.....but I dunno. My old chain stretched out bad and the new chain is also stretching out bad.

[tanks350x]

Here's a thought, check the frame, maybe that is bent in some way.. could be the cause of the alignment problems

[Dirtcrasher]

Time to bust out the dial indicators and see how bad it really is out of whack. Everyone should have themselves a cheap set of dial indicators with a magnetic base.....

I'll just add that if the chain got that stretched in a couple of hours, it sounds like a cheap chain? Did you buy a 59.99$ EBAY kit??

[atctim]

Also - having the chain "Rubber Band" tight will prematurely wear it out.

[johnny's X]

Is the carrier tight in the swinger. Sometimes the carrier can actually sping in the swinger. It might be tight when you leave for you ride but loosen quickly. Make sure you have it really tight. Dont buy a cheap chain. Spend the money and buy a good chain it will save you alot of money in the long run. Make sure you have your case saver on to. Lessons well learned from me. $$$$$

[fabiodriven]

Sounds like you could have swinagarm bearing/bushing problems too.

[Micahdogg]

Looks like I'm back to everything could be bad :)

[Jason Hall]

I would check the axle carrier bearings again. If they are coming apart, the axle might not wiggle one bit. When you ride It, the bearings will roll from one side to the other causing the chain to run crooked, and be loose at one point, then roll the machine 5 feet & It will be tight again. I would pull the axle out & Inspect the bearings, then check the axle & sprocket hub to see If they are bent.

[Micahdogg]

Sounds like a good start. Can you, or someone, confirm that if the sprocket hub is bent, then the whole axle needs replaced?

I already know for a fact that the sprocket hub is a tad tweaked. One of the tabs is about 1/8th inch out from the others. I thought surely this would not be enough to toss the chain though.

[tanks350x]

Sounds like a good start. Can you, or someone, confirm that if the sprocket hub is bent, then the whole axle needs replaced?

I already know for a fact that the sprocket hub is a tad tweaked. One of the tabs is about 1/8th inch out from the others. I thought surely this would not be enough to toss the chain though.

If that's the case, shim it, if you want to fix it half-assed just to ride of course :lol:

[Micahdogg]

Ok, I've got some updates:

The axle looks pretty damn straight. I cannot see any tweaks. The brake hub and rotor are straight as an arrow. The sprocket hub is tweaked though. So I made some shims out of a soda can have the sprocket running much straighter.

The carrier bearings are decent. The rotor side is rock solid, but the sprocket side has very very slight play. If it was any less play, it wouldn't have any play. While I'm a little concerned, I still didn't understand how that small of a movement could cause my problems. The axle also spins pretty nicely.

SO I put the chain back on just to see how everything tracks, and when I pulled the slack from the chain I noticed more movement..............and it's the swingarm pivot bolt. The sprocket side definitely has some play....moreso than the slight play in the carrier. SO I think this is/was my biggest problem with throwing chains. I think I'm going to monitor the carrier, buy a DID X ring chain to replace my cheapo china chain and replace the pivot bearings.

BUT.............................I'm having trouble getting the swingarm pivot bolt out. I'm swinging pretty damn hard at the thing with a brass hammer and not getting it to budge. It spins freely, but must be frozen to a sleeve or something. Any tips?

Thanks, as always....you guys have been a big help.

Micah

[fabiodriven]

Sounds like you could have swinagarm bearing/bushing problems too.

Don't listen to me, I don't know what I'm talking about...

[tanks350x]

if you can, tilt the whole bike on one of it's sides and spray the pivot bolt with some penetrating oil or something, such as PB Blaster, or WD 40, let it sit and then beat the crap out of it

[Micahdogg]

that's funny, I actually did that. Didn't seem to work out too well. I ended up removing the motor, tank, rads, etc.... so that I could get some big powerful swings of a 10lbs sledge. Even that isn't budging it, so I guess I'll be cutting the damn thing out.

OH well, one of these days I planned on painting the frame, engine and pegs/controls nicely. Looks like that day showed up today.

Oh, and thanks fabiodriven for diagnosing my problem.

[fabiodriven]

Oh, and thanks fabiodriven for diagnosing my problem.

10-4 good buddy!:D

[Micahdogg]

Here are some progress pics for everyone.

Think this hammer is big enough?
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z84/Micahdogg/100_5672.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z84/Micahdogg/100_5673.jpg

Thank you 3 wheeler world!
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z84/Micahdogg/100_5676.jpg

[fabiodriven]

Hey, there's my post!!!!!!!:w00t:

[riverrat]

How did you make out?

[Micahdogg]

Made out pretty well. I had to chop the swingarm bolt out in order to replace it. Got into a full restoration (as full as I wanted to go and still be able to ride it). Rode about 6 times now and no more throwing the chain!

http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php?97861-1986-ATC250R-restoration-pics&highlight=

[oldskool83]

maybe you wacked a rock or somthing since i dont see a skid plate.