Rear-Wheel Socket / Drive Chain Misaligned

BirthNight

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Hey guys, I meant sprocket not "socket" in the title :(

I'm about 75% finished with the installation of my 66cc HT 2 stroke (www.everydaymotors.com). I just ran into my first major problem - the drive-chain seems to not fit correctly with the rear wheel sprocket. It is a 44 tooth 9-hole sprocket and it is a "415" chain (not sure what that means). Anyway, this is the chain and sprocket that came in the kit so I don't know why its not fitting. The chain will sit on the sprocket and turn a few rotations but then it wants to jump off. After closer examination I saw that I cannot wrap the drive-chain completely around the rear-wheel sprocket. For example, on the pedal chain, if I give it slack, it will wrap perfectly (360 degrees) around the socket. ---When I try to do this with the engine side, the drive-chain will wrap around about 3/4 of the way and then the teeth wind up getting misaligned and hitting the portion where the links connect (not the space where the sprocket tooth should be...) The drive-chain will, however, wrap 360 degrees perfectly around the little clutch sprocket. So this leads me to believe that I just have a faulty rear-wheel sprocket.

Oh also, should the little clutch sprocket be able to free-wheel? It's really tight and I cannot turn it by hand, I have to use a screwdriver to get it to move...

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
 
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It sounds like your rear wheel is not aligned properly with the engine sprocket. Loosen the rear wheel axle and make sure both sprockets are in line....You can not turn the engine sprocket unless the clutch is disengaged..the best way I've found to turn the engine sprocket is to remove the sparkplug and use a socket wrench on the sprocket.
 
zip tie clutch handle closed, remove plug. most kits come with a plug wrench. it is the 2 1/2 inch tube.The ends are six sided,four small holes in the sides. The small end will fit the nut. The small holes on sides hold/ use a leverage bar (not included ) to turn the tube. Don't use sharp objects as it may slip. You need to line up the sprockets. This sometimes is done using washers placed behind the sprocket. If your chain has slack use the tension bar to correct. Line the pully on it with the bottom of rear sproket. Go SLOW so nothing gets stuck at either end. When posting you might wait for a response or do some searching of the site. For the most part there is more than one way to do anything. You don't know if it is right for you untill you try. Just my thought on the matter. Good luck. Hang in there it is worth it.
 
you state that you may have a faulty rear sproket
I have read around here regarding fileing said sprokets out a little
is this what you need to do -- not sure -- careful

once it's done -- it's done

ride the motor bike thing
 
Hmmm....

you state that you may have a faulty rear sproket
I have read around here regarding fileing said sprokets out a little
is this what you need to do -- not sure -- careful

Good thinking mountainman - However, the chain and sprocket become so misaligned about 3/4 of the way around that I don't even think filing would help... :( I guess I'll try taking the bike into a local lawnmower repairman and see if he can figure it out... As of now, I don't even know what kind of replacement sprocket I would need to order. :confused:
 
You say out of line do you mean warped ? If so get it on something flat and strike it with a hammer (flaten it ) wear goggles.Work it from center out as it is worked around. If you have money for shop repair,save it . Get a #41 chain and 36 tooth sprocket. Would get a #41 chain any way master links are every where. Some one said it was the size used for garage door openers but havent checked. Hang in there !
PS..TY4PM.
 
Some kit sellers recommend doing what Mountainman suggested, it will allow the chain to sit lower on the teeth. I think I read that the chrome plating makes it to thick. It would be interesting to see a pic though. You also asked about the front sprocket, it is hard to turn and should only turn with the clutch pulled in, otherwise you are trying to turn the engine over.
 
Have someone hold the bike up.
First loosen the wheel nuts.
Evenly pull on the wheel engine drive train side until the chain is tight and the wheel is centered in the rear wheelstays.
Tighten the nuts.
Visually check that the rear wheel is centered in the rear wheel supports.
Using a small piece of wire twisted around a rear wheel support with one end almost touching the rear driven 44 tooth sprocket slowly spin the wear wheel.rotate the wheel.
With the rear wheel correctly installed the pointer will indicate how much out of true your rear sprocket is .
 
Out-of-Sync

I guess we should get this out of the way

is it out of line side to side or up and down

each to be dealed with in a different way

as we ride the motor bike thing

When I begin to lay the drive-chain onto the rear-wheel sprocket, it fits as it should. I continue laying the chain on/around the sprocket and about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way around, the teeth become misaligned with the chain. The teeth begin to want to set at the point which connects the links together (sort of hitting the pin in the middle you know) instead of the little spaces where they should go. There is no way around this. I cannot position it any differently to fix this. The sprocket's teeth and the spaces on the chain where those teeth should be eventually become "out of sync". That might be a better way to phrase it.

I hope this helps explain what is going on. Unfortunately I cannot take a picture - I live in Los Angeles and the bike is with my Dad in another city (where we are building it). I might be able to get him to take a picture for me.
THANKS GUYS!
 
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