Banshee Pilot Posted March 14, 2006 Report Posted March 14, 2006 I bought a Sidewinder chain quite some time ago and have been forced to keep re-tightening it for a couple years now. Last summer, I finally bottomed out the tensioning screws on the carrier and decided I'd have to take a link out of the chain and start all over again . . . WRONG!. I took a link out, but then my chain was too short and I couldn't get the master link to connect. I figured I messed something up, so I decided to buy a new chain. After I installed it, I found the tension screws had to be in a little more than halfway to get the chain tightened properly. After two trips to the dunes, the screws are bottomed out again. I decided to measure this time instead of taking a link out, and found that if I do take a link out, my chain will once again be too short. I've called various shops and no one seems to have an answer for me. Have any of you had this problem before? Aside from buying a new swingarm with a round carrier, which is very tempting, what the hell can I do?! Any help is appreciated. -Craig Quote
BigRed350x Posted March 14, 2006 Report Posted March 14, 2006 I had that problem all the time. Drop a tooth on your rear sprocket, then take the link out and it will reach. Dunno why it happens, just one of those stupid things. You might be better off buying new front, rear, and new chain all at once though. That's what I usually do. Quote
odaen Posted March 14, 2006 Report Posted March 14, 2006 I bought a Sidewinder chain quite some time ago and have been forced to keep re-tightening it for a couple years now. Last summer, I finally bottomed out the tensioning screws on the carrier and decided I'd have to take a link out of the chain and start all over again . . . WRONG!. I took a link out, but then my chain was too short and I couldn't get the master link to connect. I figured I messed something up, so I decided to buy a new chain. After I installed it, I found the tension screws had to be in a little more than halfway to get the chain tightened properly. After two trips to the dunes, the screws are bottomed out again. I decided to measure this time instead of taking a link out, and found that if I do take a link out, my chain will once again be too short. I've called various shops and no one seems to have an answer for me. Have any of you had this problem before? Aside from buying a new swingarm with a round carrier, which is very tempting, what the hell can I do?! Any help is appreciated. -Craig 486526[/snapback] do you have the stock length chain tensioner screws in your carrier? pretty confident you can adjust more than a full link with the stock carrier. if you have the jingle for a sidewinder chain, you might wanna look into getting a round housing swingarm and carrier setup. it makes it so much nicer for adjusting chain tension.... no scuffed up knuckles either Quote
Banshee Pilot Posted March 14, 2006 Author Report Posted March 14, 2006 do you have the stock length chain tensioner screws in your carrier? pretty confident you can adjust more than a full link with the stock carrier. if you have the jingle for a sidewinder chain, you might wanna look into getting a round housing swingarm and carrier setup. it makes it so much nicer for adjusting chain tension.... no scuffed up knuckles either 486530[/snapback] Yeah, I do have the stock tensioner screws. Can I put longer ones in and get additional travel? In fact, I think I stripped them out the last time I tried to tighten my chain, so I need to get new ones anyway. -Craig Quote
Wicked98Shee Posted March 14, 2006 Report Posted March 14, 2006 (edited) those krouse chains are some tough mofo's. are ya sure ur not gettin the chain to tight and causing it to stretch from that??? just a thought, we put a sidewinder setup on a poked and stroked rapturd 2 years ago and its still good to go ... we only had adjust it twice so far Edited March 14, 2006 by Wicked98Shee Quote
Banshee Pilot Posted March 14, 2006 Author Report Posted March 14, 2006 those krouse chains are some tough mofo's. are ya sure ur not gettin the chain to tight and causing it to stretch from that??? just a thought, we put a sidewinder setup on a poked and stroked rapturd 2 years ago and its still good to go ... we only had adjust it twice so far 486633[/snapback] Yeah, I'm positive the chain wasn't too tight. It's like the thing just continually stretched. Even when the chain loosened up from riding, if I didn't tighten it again, it would get even looser as I kept riding. The same thing happened on the second chain I bought, but that one was a much cheaper chain. Aside form buying a new swingarm, I'm at a loss for what to do. I can assure you that I'm sick of adjusting that damn chain everytime I ride though. -Craig Quote
digger Posted March 14, 2006 Report Posted March 14, 2006 are u sure that the chain is actually stretchin and not u'r adjustment comming un adjusted? just a thought. Quote
Banshee Pilot Posted March 14, 2006 Author Report Posted March 14, 2006 are u sure that the chain is actually stretchin and not u'r adjustment comming un adjusted? just a thought. 486776[/snapback] I'm pretty sure the chain is stretching, although I have thought of your point on several occasions. In order for the chain to become unadjusted, wouldn't the tensioning screws have to back out somehow? Is there any other way the adjustments would get messed up? Throw me a bone here fellas . . . I'm desperate. -Craig Quote
Hollister_Hitman Posted March 14, 2006 Report Posted March 14, 2006 I believe the adjustments can be tight but if the 2 housing bolts are loose the chain can get loose Quote
Toytrk85 Posted March 15, 2006 Report Posted March 15, 2006 Have you checked the bearings in the carrier and the swingarm? I had a problem once where the carrier bearings were ruined and caused the chain to stretch due to the excessive play. Eventually started throwing the chain before I realized the problem. Just another item to look into. I would just get a larger sprocket in front or a smaller rear (just a tooth up or down should give you the room you need to fit the chain). Nick Quote
Banshee Pilot Posted March 15, 2006 Author Report Posted March 15, 2006 Have you checked the bearings in the carrier and the swingarm? I had a problem once where the carrier bearings were ruined and caused the chain to stretch due to the excessive play. Eventually started throwing the chain before I realized the problem. Just another item to look into. I would just get a larger sprocket in front or a smaller rear (just a tooth up or down should give you the room you need to fit the chain). Nick 486995[/snapback] I hadn't thought about that. I think that may be the next thing I check before I do anything. Thanks. -Craig Quote
Cotton eyed Joe Posted March 15, 2006 Report Posted March 15, 2006 Do you just need to grind out the adjustment slots on the stock swinger? When I ran a stock swinger I needed an additional 1/4" or so because of the larger rear sprocket I was running. I was either too loose or too tight with my chains. Quote
Banshee Pilot Posted March 15, 2006 Author Report Posted March 15, 2006 Do you just need to grind out the adjustment slots on the stock swinger? When I ran a stock swinger I needed an additional 1/4" or so because of the larger rear sprocket I was running. I was either too loose or too tight with my chains. 487096[/snapback] Also a very good point. I've thought about doing this before, but I wasn't sure if it would mess something up. I think this may be the best solution to my problem. Thanks Cotton Eye. -Craig Quote
Cotton eyed Joe Posted March 15, 2006 Report Posted March 15, 2006 Also a very good point. I've thought about doing this before, but I wasn't sure if it would mess something up. I think this may be the best solution to my problem. Thanks Cotton Eye. -Craig 487147[/snapback] You're welcome Quote
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