Chain ?? How loose is too loose?

[Bill Hilly]

When I got my standard fork ,carbed Hawk, it had the stock rear shock, and it was pretty spongy from full extension to initial compression. I noticed after riding it that my chain had been scuffing the outside knobs on the tire. I did adjust the chain, but I can't remember if I had the rear tire in the air, or not. It did seem to help it though. I have since replaced the chain, studs, and both sprockets. I also replaced the rear shock with an XPro adjustable one. I used the rear sprocket from my old Brozz which even has a very small amount of dish to it, which I think may keep the chain just a frog's hair further from the tire's knobs. I had been running the 46/17 combo with no problem, but I realized it was a little taller gearing than I needed, so I put a 16 front on it, and at the same time, I backed the adjustment ring out a good bit on my rear shock, because it was too stiff. I probably went a little too far, because the bike's rear suspension is back to wanting to stretch out while leaning on it's kickstand, and compressing some under its own weight while standing it up. I noticed that if I stand the bike up, it's chain is actually pretty tight, But if I lean it on the kickstand, or put the wheel in the air, it's exceptionally loose. I have also noticed that my outside knobs on the chain side of the tire are always too black, and clean because the chain must be lightly scuffing it at times. I even unbolted the lower shock bolt, and manually positioned the swing arm to were both sprockets were as far away from each other as possible, and the chain pulls tight when I do, but is extremely loose with the shock bolt back in, and the wheel hanging.. I do intend to tighten the preload adjustment back up some in my rear shock, but I am still a little worried about possibly throwing the chain. Any suggestions ???

[buzz]

For one thing a dished sprocket will not work,as for chain adjust it on kick stand.Never had any problems,get rid of that sprocket.

[Bill Hilly]

Originally Posted by buzz

For one thing a dished sprocket will not work,as for chain adjust it on kick stand.Never had any problems,get rid of that sprocket.

The sprocket is just barely dished, and wasn't causing any issues before. I tinkered with the bike today, but didn't adjust my chain. I notice that the outer link plates were polished up just about 1/8 inch up each plate, and I realized that it was because they had been running up against that ridge on top of the chain slider. I messed around with the slider, and got it repositioned so the chains rollers were running on top of it. I did also tighten the preload if my shock. I went for a good ride on various types of roads with a good bit of dips, and evy some washboard hills, and it seems like the issue is taken care of for now. I am posting a picture of the rear sprocket, and you can also see what I mean about the chain's link plates being a little polished. http://

[buzz]

Maybe alright, Not sure on a hawk. Ihave 2021 TBR7 and its flat. Hope you got it all worked out.

[Megadan]

Normal issue with knobbies on the Hawk. On my first bike the groove in the counter-shaft for the front sprocket retainer was machined too far inward and made my chain rub like that. My chain alignment was also always a bit wonky.

My simple solution was to flip the front sprocket to sit on the outside of the groove and it worked great, but getting the bolts on and tight was a chore.

My advanced solution was to take my stock 15t front sprocket, grind the teeth off of it, put it on the countershaft, put the retainer on next in the groove, and then I took my actual sprocket, drilled the holes out just big enough for the bolts to pass through, and tighten it into the stock sprocket with the retainer sandwiched between. It worked great, and having double the contact area on the counter shaft took a lot of the slop out of the sprocket too.

[Bill Hilly]

Originally Posted by buzz

Maybe alright, Not sure on a hawk. Ihave 2021 TBR7 and its flat. Hope you got it all worked out.

I think it's all worked out now. The Hawk did come with a flat sprocket, but I don't think the little bit of dish( probably no more than 3/16",)hurts anything, and possibly may help. Either way the issue is solve for now. I don't think it was my rear shock being too soft. I'm pretty sure it was the chain slider. I know that when I replaced the stock rear sprocket on my Brozz , I had to go with a flat one, and I was a little worried, and posted here on China Riders about it, and was told it would be alright, and it never gave me trouble. I think that the 46/17 was keeping my chain off the slider a little better, and when I dropped to the 16, my chain was making more contact with it, and in a bad way. I don't have the rubber caps on my foot pegs, and could feel a little shudder every once in a while, which I assume was my knobs and chain touching. It's gone . It was scuffed the knobs in a pattern of 3 . They are still scuffed fresh black, but I think they are starting to get a little less fresh looking. I've probably put 25, or so miles on it since fixing it, but only been on dry roads.I may paint a few scuffed knobs, and see if I scuff the paint off.