Fletch
Member
Hi,
I'm really having some issues with the wheel/sprocket/chain/alignment and I've read quite a few threads and tried the usual fixes with no luck so far and I'm really getting discouraged because I really want to get this bike up and running.
Here's the quick summary so far (I can post pictures later if need be):
*initial issues with **** coaster break. bent the arm and added washers per Spookytooth instructions. Opened up hub and figured out how the coaster works. Got past that.
*Had bike running for 2 minutes when chain tensioner was pulled into wheel and took out 2 spokes.
*Fixed spokes, read up on tensioners... determined sprocket wasn't true and was pulling. I had trued it pretty well I thought. There is left to right movement of the chain on the tension wheel, and you can see as the sprocket rotates where the teeth start to go out of alignment with chain.
*Re-trued the sprocket as best I could (for hours), up and down (centering) and left to right wobble. Not perfect but as close as I could get.
*Same problem with chain left to right movement and jumping while just pushing the bike. Noticed that there was about 3-4mm up and down movement of sprocket despite centering it (measuring) and adjusting it before tightening bolts.
*I read that sharpening the teeth can help keep chain from jumping so I got careless and impatient - bust out the Dremel and start grinding away at teeth. End up ruining the sprocket.
*My conclusion/observation is that the angle of the wheel sprocket just doesn't match the angle of the engine sprocket well enough. The bottom of the chain is slightly off-centered with the top as you look down on it.
So now my dilemma or question is how to fix this? I can't just change the angle of the wheel obviously, it needs to be straight. There doesn't appear to be any way to move the engine left or right because of the mounts. the engine looks like it is mounted perfectly BTW.
I've tried adding the extra 3 metal mounting brackets for the sprocket to push it out some from the wheel, but that doesn't change the angle.
I'm thinking about ordering one of those pineapple sprocket mounts from spooky so I don't have to mess with sprocket truing at all and i can be certain that isn't the problem, but i really don't think it is.
I decided to try not using a tensioner at all after bending it so it lined up and seeing I was having the same problem. Unfortunately my wheel slides in at an angle and not horizontally so I can't just pull it back to add tension. Even without a tensioner I still want the chain to be aligned.
Sorry for the long post... I just want to be sure I've communicated what I've tried already. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help me, and I have the worlds sharpest sprocket/ninja star now as a 'thank you gift'
I'm really having some issues with the wheel/sprocket/chain/alignment and I've read quite a few threads and tried the usual fixes with no luck so far and I'm really getting discouraged because I really want to get this bike up and running.
Here's the quick summary so far (I can post pictures later if need be):
*initial issues with **** coaster break. bent the arm and added washers per Spookytooth instructions. Opened up hub and figured out how the coaster works. Got past that.
*Had bike running for 2 minutes when chain tensioner was pulled into wheel and took out 2 spokes.
*Fixed spokes, read up on tensioners... determined sprocket wasn't true and was pulling. I had trued it pretty well I thought. There is left to right movement of the chain on the tension wheel, and you can see as the sprocket rotates where the teeth start to go out of alignment with chain.
*Re-trued the sprocket as best I could (for hours), up and down (centering) and left to right wobble. Not perfect but as close as I could get.
*Same problem with chain left to right movement and jumping while just pushing the bike. Noticed that there was about 3-4mm up and down movement of sprocket despite centering it (measuring) and adjusting it before tightening bolts.
*I read that sharpening the teeth can help keep chain from jumping so I got careless and impatient - bust out the Dremel and start grinding away at teeth. End up ruining the sprocket.
*My conclusion/observation is that the angle of the wheel sprocket just doesn't match the angle of the engine sprocket well enough. The bottom of the chain is slightly off-centered with the top as you look down on it.
So now my dilemma or question is how to fix this? I can't just change the angle of the wheel obviously, it needs to be straight. There doesn't appear to be any way to move the engine left or right because of the mounts. the engine looks like it is mounted perfectly BTW.
I've tried adding the extra 3 metal mounting brackets for the sprocket to push it out some from the wheel, but that doesn't change the angle.
I'm thinking about ordering one of those pineapple sprocket mounts from spooky so I don't have to mess with sprocket truing at all and i can be certain that isn't the problem, but i really don't think it is.
I decided to try not using a tensioner at all after bending it so it lined up and seeing I was having the same problem. Unfortunately my wheel slides in at an angle and not horizontally so I can't just pull it back to add tension. Even without a tensioner I still want the chain to be aligned.
Sorry for the long post... I just want to be sure I've communicated what I've tried already. Thanks in advance to anyone willing to help me, and I have the worlds sharpest sprocket/ninja star now as a 'thank you gift'
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