My rear sproket is loose... any sugestions

[kens97sto171]

Was adjusting the chain tension.. and discovered that all 4 bolts are loose on the rear sproket. The nuts have not come loose.. the stud pulls in and out of the hub assembly.. Are they pressed in from the front.. or are they bolts that come thru from the back and stick out thru the front. I checked the parts diaghram but it is not detailed enough.. Just thought I would ask before pulling the rear wheel and disassembling it to find out.

Thanks..

Ken

[red2003]

The studs just set in the hub assembly. It has to be the nuts that are loose. You should be able to just tighten them up. If they just spin round and round, you'll have to take the rear wheel assembly apart to tighten them up. When / if you do, put the red locktite right to them and they'll stay tight then.

[kens97sto171]

Well, we pulled it apart. You are right. the studs just sit in the hub, they are set into rubber isolated steel holes. But the nuts were not loose. The "C" clip that hold the thing together had SOMEHOW been rotating around, and has worn the channel that the clip goes into to the thickness of almost 2 of the clips. So the sporcket and the studs can wiggle.

At this point I am thinking the only way to fix it, is to shim it with another "c"clip, or replace the entire hub or the wheel alltogether. It is probably safe to ride.. since even if the clip failed altogether.. the sprocket can't really come off entirely.. but I am not really willing to risk my life on it.

Thanks for the help.

Ken

[fatboy250]

Originally Posted by kens97sto171

At this point I am thinking the only way to fix it, is to shim it ...Ken

That's what we did with a thin brass washer the same inner diameter as the sprocket. Everything is snug now.

Jason

[kens97sto171]

Thanks.... where did you get a washer that big? did you split it to get into the C clip channel.. or just find one that would sit begind the C clip.

I wonder why the hell they designed it this way.. why not have the sprocket just bolt directly to the wheel hub... without the rubber isolated crap... Only reason I was able to come up with was it allows some "slop" in the driveline. If you have noticed the front procket can also wiggle behinds its retaining clip... most chains dont have much sideways motion.. so slop on both ends of the drivline would allow for misalignment between the swing arm and frame/engine to be manageable.

I think I am going to run with my chain less tight... It was fairly tight from the factory... and I noticed some wear on the front and rear sprockets but on oposite sides, that would indicate the chain was not straight relative to the front and rear sprockets, that it was pulling sideways on the sprockets. This may be what caused the C clip to wear into the hub channel.

Thanks again for the help in fixing this.

Ken

[fatboy250]

Originally Posted by kens97sto171

Thanks.... where did you get a washer that big? did you split it to get into the C clip channel.. or just find one that would sit begind the C clip.

This was another one of Dad's creations. He's a machinist / tool and die maker. It did not go into the channel. It's just the same i.d. as the sprocket i.d.

The "slush" drive I would guess is to keep some of the forces off of the trans. It's been the only real thing that I've heard about with these engines that have been an issue. In fact, I think those who had trans issues may have modified this slush drive at the hub making it more rigid.

[kens97sto171]

Thanks, for the info. I called EJ Cycles today to order a 45t rear sprocket, while talking I asked him about my problem.. he suggested to do just as you said... to get a washer, or nother C clip.

He also said that the rubber isolated sprocket is required by Federal Law on any road going bike, its a "Saftey" issue... Not really sure how it could be "SAFER" but i guess there is some reason that only a government bureaucrat could dream up.

Anyway.. thanks again for the help, and suggestions..

Ken

[czowner]

The "slush" drive I would guess is to keep some of the forces off of the trans. It's been the only real thing that I've heard about with these engines that have been an issue. In fact, I think those who had trans issues may have modified this slush drive at the hub making it more rigid.

Do you mean me Jason? LOL.. There's not a great deal of "give" in the rear drive, the main "crush" drive is in the back of the clutch basket, which is what I've modified, as the buffers disintergrated. I now have broken gear teeth!!

Jonathan.