Chain drive (continued)

[audijunky]

Thanks guys, I think I'll pull it apart sometime soon to see about wear on the shaft and check the sprocket and bearings. Pggg how many Kms did you put on that first shaft that had the uneven wear?

[audijunky]

Allrighty then, took it all apart last night. Sprocket shaft did not appear to be wearing unevenly, actually looked really good except for a little rust(didnt grease it ) So opened bearings as Pggg suggested, packed them with grease, greased the splines on the shaft cleaned things up a bit, went to reinstall and my spacer tubes were too long. I am guessing that I didnt have the middle gear shaft fully inserted the first time around. So I made sure it was pushed all the way into the transfer case or whatever it is called, then remeasured and cut down my spacer tubes. Now my chain appears to be aligned better (wasnt perfect before) before when I would stand behind the bike and look down the chain it looke like this ). this is exagerated of course but you get the picture. And as Pggg said One side of my front sprocket was a little more worn than the other. Haven't gotten a chance to test it out yet, that is this afternoon. I will fill ya in on the results Mon.
Every one have a great weekend and get out a put some miles on.

[pggg]

Aud, I'd done over 5000 miles on that 'original' chaindrive setup, it was running 520 sprockets and chain back then, it was actually running smooth and trouble free, and when I stripped it down just for a curious check inside, was surprised to see some uneven wear on the drive spline. A couple of my bolt holes weren't aligned precise, talkin' only a couple of mm's, and also, with over- tall gearing(35 tooth rear sprocket!) first gear soon started doing the 'rattle of death' - which for a start I mistook for the 520 chain jumping on the small 520 front sprocket. So, like a dimwit I was running the system with a tight chain - which of course will only increase wear. Also the chain was offline just enough to polish one side of the sprocket, again, only talkin' 2 or 3 mm's . As ya know, there's lots of trial and error involved in rigging something new, but all the niggly problems soon get ironed out over time

[audijunky]

Took it on a short ride around the hood. Still makin noise so I am going to assume it is normal. Did notice however that my front sprocket looks to be kinda wobble when rolling with the chain on it. when ridin and lookin down at the chain tracking on the front sprocket???? I dont think this is normal but dont know why it would look like that. My front sprocket is tight and there is no play in it , and it is fully seated against the raised splines on the middle gear shaft. Is this normal? Could my spacer not being square (if you will) cause this? I am getting a new spacer machined (This time) just to make sure but figured I would ask as well. thanks for the help.

[pggg]

If it looks wobbly then there's something not right there, sounds like somethings not bolted down, the sprocket locks solid at right angles to the drive unit, then line up the chain casually to 1mm, pretty small measurement, then get it bolted there, when lined up, all smooth, mind you Audi it's a long chain on that stretched chopper, but it should still run smooth as silk

[audijunky]

When i pull on it or push on the housing everything feels real solid, even the sprocket on the shaft. I dont get it, when going about 20-30 mph and lookin down at it, it seems to just be wiggling like the sprocket is loose on the shaft.????? there is a tiny bit of play (side to side) for the chain when on the sprocket, but I wouldnt think it would be enough for it to wobble the way it does. Or maybe it is and when rolling that fast it exagerates the movement??? Anyway I've got a smaller sprocket coming for the rear 44 tooth vs the 48 tooth thats on it now. 4500 rpm in 5th going 55 mph is geared a little to low for my liking. But when I take it to the drag strip , gonna put the 48 tooth back on
DO you guys think that the 44 tooth will help alot or just a little. Its the smallest I can find so far.

[audijunky]

Hey Chop,
hows your project coming along? You get that rear fender built? How about that middle gear conversion(machined housing for the sprocket )?

[audijunky]

PGGG,
I noticed that my rear sprocket is not as thick as my front. The fronts teeth fit perfectly into the chain but the rear has some side to side play. Could that possibly cause the movement I am seeing. I think I am going to make a video so you guys can get a better idea what I am talking about.

[pggg]

Roll on the vid, sprocket's not a 525? 530 is 9.05mm so say my stainless steel calipers

[xschop]

Busy

Busy Riding that is, no shame here. The fender is coming along with the rest of the bodywork, frame. The sprocket housing is being set-up on my newly acquired CNC so I would be able to churn these out in a few hours as opposed to a few days doing it the old school way....will keep posted....cool bike you made there...

[audijunky]

All right!!!!

Pulled the outer bearing and replaced the old sprocket/bearing spacer with a new machined spacer and it is alot quieter and the wobbles are gone. I feel alot better about it now. All you can really hear now is the chain meshing with the sprocket. I also installed the 44 tooth rear sprocket. Haven't gotten it up to speed yet, still gotta install the speedo cable. However on the negative side( cause whenever I get 1 step forward I always seem to take 2 steps back) I had to remove my rear fender cause with the smaller sprocket my tire set back further in the swing arm. And the bracket I welded on to bolt the caliper holder to is now to far forward. Like I said 1 forward 2 back. Not a big deal cause I didn't really like that fender anyway. Looking for something plastic , or fiberglass to really hug the tire.
Thanks for the help fellas

[pggg]

Aud, 14x44 should give you a good all-round ratio, probably close to 3600 revs@62mph(100kph) depending on tyre profile. I've stuck with 14x45 on mine, gives 3700-3750 revs@100kph. Plus or minus one tooth on the front equals approximately plus or minus 3 teeth on the back

[audijunky]

Any idea what 13-44 would give me? If not I will let you all know as soon as I get the speedo hooked up.

[pggg]

Likely pretty close to stock gearing around 4000@ 62mph