HELP with chain on 350X

**2sprman2** · 03-06-2007, 11:10 AM

Hey guys, I am new to this site and just wanted to tell ya'll that it is bad ass! It's awesome to see that so many people still share the love for 3 wheelers like I do! I'm trying to tighten the chain on my 350X. I finally figured out how to do it but I can't find anything to turn that sprocket looking thing that tightens it. I was told to try a

and a punch but it won't budge with that! Any ideas on what else I could use? Is there a special tool that they make for it? Any ideas and help would be most appreciated!

**kb200x** · 03-06-2007, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by 2sprman2

Hey guys, I am new to this site and just wanted to tell ya'll that it is bad ass! It's awesome to see that so many people still share the love for 3 wheelers like I do! I'm trying to tighten the chain on my 350X. I finally figured out how to do it but I can't find anything to turn that sprocket looking thing that tightens it. I was told to try a

and a punch but it won't budge with that! Any ideas on what else I could use? Is there a special tool that they make for it? Any ideas and help would be most appreciated!

Make sure you have both bolts loose on the bottom of the swingarm. The bearing carrier (the part your trying to turn) should move back towards the rear to tighten the chain. A slight tap with a

and a screw driver should do the trick. If not I would suggest taking apart the rear end removing the axle and getting the carrier out and replace the rear bearings. If its that froze up in there your bearings are probably shot. Good luck.. and

**Bryan Raffa** · 03-06-2007, 11:51 AM

to the site!!!!!

**2sprman2** · 03-06-2007, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by kb200x

Make sure you have both bolts loose on the bottom of the swingarm. The bearing carrier (the part your trying to turn) should move back towards the rear to tighten the chain. A slight tap with a

and a screw driver should do the trick. If not I would suggest taking apart the rear end removing the axle and getting the carrier out and replace the rear bearings. If its that froze up in there your bearings are probably shot. Good luck.. and

Are you talking about the 2 bolts with the alan heads.

**kb200x** · 03-06-2007, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by 2sprman2

Are you talking about the 2 bolts with the alan heads.

Yes thats the ones! They need to be loose they hold the Carrier in place. Loosen those and turn the carrier to the rear and that will tighten the chain.

**2sprman2** · 03-06-2007, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by kb200x

Yes thats the ones! They need to be loose they hold the Carrier in place. Loosen those and turn the carrier to the rear and that will tighten the chain.

Oh ok. What is that 3rd bolt for between the other 2 a little bit further down?

**tyman** · 03-06-2007, 04:14 PM

it keeps the carrier from turning too far...

**ATCnut** · 03-06-2007, 11:13 PM

The other way to move the carrier is to stick a pry bar through the sprocket into one of the notches in the carrier adjuster part. Then slowly roll the trike and it will move the carrier.

I have to give credit for this method to Kasey (Richard). He showed me this method and it is the only one I use.

Something to check is that the brake assembly is moving on the carrier. The big piece on the other side slides on the end of the carrier. Mine got stick there and would not let me adjust the chain

**2sprman2** · 03-07-2007, 10:39 AM

Sweet, thanks! I think I might need to just replace the whole carrier. Are there any berrings in there or anything special that I need to know before I attempt this?

**Vealmonkey** · 03-07-2007, 10:48 AM

Welcome to the site. Not trying to give you a hard time, but it would be in your best interest to buy a manual for your 350x. Alot of time the pictures will help explain what people are trying to tell you if you are not real familiar with your trike. The honda shop manuals are the best in my opinion and the other manuals aren't too bad but sometimes a little too general. I believe every trike should have a manual.

**2sprman2** · 03-07-2007, 10:53 AM

Oh I agree. I actually ordered one yesterday but didn't get it yet. I just started digging in without it. Couldn't wait to get dirty! Thanks though.

**bigred1981** · 03-07-2007, 01:40 PM

Hey man.. just to clear a couple things up, the allen bolts pinch the bearing carrier down to secure it.. they must be loose and the bolt in the middle must be loose also. The bearings in the carrier have nothing to do with the carrier not rotating when you try to tighten the chain. The bearings are totally seperate from the pinch bolts to keep the carrier secure. Take it apart and it will all make more sense about how it works.

**2sprman2** · 03-07-2007, 03:56 PM

Awesome. Thanks bro, I really appreciate all the help I'm getting on here. I was told that I didn't have to loosen that 3rd bolt but it didn't make any sence to me not to. Thanks for your help!

**kb200x** · 03-07-2007, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by 2sprman2

Awesome. Thanks bro, I really appreciate all the help I'm getting on here. I was told that I didn't have to loosen that 3rd bolt but it didn't make any sence to me not to. Thanks for your help!

How it works is the carrier is offset from the swingarm where the three bolts are. So when you rotate the carrier it pushes the axle back farther from the front sprocket which tightens the chain. The middle bolt is just used for a stop so the carrier wont turn too far around. I am not sure If that has to be loosened on a stock carrier? I have an after market carrier. It won't hurt to loosen it regardless? I don't think it has to be loosened that kind of defeats the purpose of it being there.

As BigRed was saying the bearings are not the problem. I should have made that a little clearer. The bearings are inside the carrier which you are trying to rotate backwards. You will want to check those out and make sure there are is not alot of play in the rear end. It's common for those to be wore out. Which will cause the chain to pop off and you don't want that.

**2sprman2** · 03-08-2007, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by bigred1981

Hey man.. just to clear a couple things up, the allen bolts pinch the bearing carrier down to secure it.. they must be loose and the bolt in the middle must be loose also. The bearings in the carrier have nothing to do with the carrier not rotating when you try to tighten the chain. The bearings are totally seperate from the pinch bolts to keep the carrier secure. Take it apart and it will all make more sense about how it works.

Hey bigred, I just wanted to say thanks for your help. I loosened that middle bolt like you had said and it worked like a charm. Chain is all tightened up. Thanks again!

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HELP with chain on 350X