chain issues

[Scott Heavin]

[Bernie Baldus]

I agree with Marshall and John.

Try a different sprocket and/or chain. Chains stretch and don't match the sprocket. Sprockets wear out. Particularly with TaG. Running 0-ring chain will promote life of both.

If your axle turns over fine before the motor is tightened, the chain is probably gaining tension when you tighten the motor.
This is common.
It happens to me daily, I loosen it back up and slide the motor back until the chain is right when the motor is tight.
On a Leopard, I run it loose enough that it won't quite flop up and hit the chain guard. 3/4-1" sounds about right. I also wiggle the chain sideways to see what kind of play that chain has and factor that into the equation.

Remember, the chain, as it heats up over the course of a race, will tighten up anyway. As long as you don't hang wheels off regularly, you can run it fairly loose without a problem and it will certainly make the kart freer throughout the event.

If these simple things don't work, then you have something bent or crooked.

ps.
Sometimes eye balling sprocket is difficult. Watch where the chain runs on the sprocket and see if the gap is the same on both side of the sprocket.

[Craig Vesely]

[Pete Muller]

Fix it.

[jim wirtz]

Craig,
Start by making sure there is no debris built up between the tubes and your mount.

We've gone as far as removing all the paint/powdercoat from the area the mount rests on. If your motor still rocks, lay a straight edge across the frame with one side crossing where the mount would be. The straight edge SHOULD touch all three rails, if not, depending on how much its off, you may need to have it straightened.

OR,

It is possible that you could have crushed one or more of the tubes by over tightening the clamps, or even by a particularily hard bottoming out and hitting the clamp.

Both scenarios are fixable with a little effort and some patience.
good luck
_________________
Jim Wirtz


http://www.wirtzswoodworks.com/

[Craig Vesely]

[Adam Geczi]

I am writing this post to anyone who is trying to solve chain tension variance issues. I spent several days reading, measuring, and investigating the issue that I had and ended up figuring things out based on the collection of opinions in this thread. While its true that each individual post on this subject can be valuable by itself in trying to solve differing problems, I have reasons to believe that many people are running into the same issue that I was dealing with.

If you observe any of the following;

(a)with the chain tight and the engine mount loose, the engine rocks back and fourth as you spin the rear axle, and/or (b) the sprocket mounted to the axle appears to be eccentric when spun, but you are certain that it is concentric, and/or (c) you can see through between the chain and the sprocket teeth as the chain lifts off the sprocket while being turned at all times or at certain intervals,

than, you are likely to have a chain stretched in part or in whole.

In addition, if the chain is relatively new and it fit well before a few sessions, but now you are experiencing any of the above described symptoms, than you are also likely to have one or both sprocket(s) that is worn and is now contributing to the premature stretching of the chain. This is especially true with a 10 or fewer tooth sprocket on the engine side.

Tip: If you are experiencing tightening of the chain at the same clocking (or spot) of the rear sprocket every time, it is more likely to be an issue of eccentricity caused by a mounting issue to the hub, dirt and grime, bent axle, bent crank or other things described in this thread. However, if the chain tightens up at a different clocking every time as you turn the axle, than your chain is definitely the culprit. You can examine the play in each link to verify. In a partial stretch, you will find that where the chain engages poorly with the teeth on the sprocket, the chain will have a significantly greater play between the links (pins) than elsewhere. If the chain stretch is uniform, than you are less likely to encounter the above symptoms with an exception regrading item (c). If possible, always replace the sprockets when replacing the chain.
_________________
Adam Geczi, Skyforce Racing

[patrick slattery]