Asymmetrical Chain
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2014 6:00 am
Having a serious issue with my chain. To start, the chain and front and rear sprockets were brand new late last summer. Recently, I removed 2 links because my adjustments were at the very end of the swing arm axle hole. Everything was fine until recently, when the chain began getting loose too often. I started to notice that even when I got it carefully aligned and properly tensioned, it would bind at one point in the revolution. I cleaned it with chain lube and in never seemed to be as flexible as when new. This is a non-Oring chain, by the way.
Coming out of work on the way home on Thursday, the chain came off the back sprocket, jamming the rear wheel, and putting the bike on the ground. It took a while to get it back in place and adjusted. That night I soaked it in kerosene, which really seemed to get rid of all the road crud and make the chain linkage flexible again. I also cleaned the sprockets and the front sprocket cover, to be sure that no old grime could get back on the chain.
Rode to work and this is how it stands - the asymmetrical vibration is so bad that I lost the adjuster locking nut on one side. The bike is quite unrideable as it sits. I'm going to try again today, but my ride partner is thinking that I may have a slightly bent drive shaft. I'm thinking it might also have something to do with my clutch, which has gotten more and more difficult to shift gears. Last thing is that I'm burning oil. I have to add an ounce or so periodically.
So I'm now in the esteemed company of those of us that need advice {sigh}. Any ideas on what would cause the chain to run asymmetrically, even when it is clean and lubed?
Coming out of work on the way home on Thursday, the chain came off the back sprocket, jamming the rear wheel, and putting the bike on the ground. It took a while to get it back in place and adjusted. That night I soaked it in kerosene, which really seemed to get rid of all the road crud and make the chain linkage flexible again. I also cleaned the sprockets and the front sprocket cover, to be sure that no old grime could get back on the chain.
Rode to work and this is how it stands - the asymmetrical vibration is so bad that I lost the adjuster locking nut on one side. The bike is quite unrideable as it sits. I'm going to try again today, but my ride partner is thinking that I may have a slightly bent drive shaft. I'm thinking it might also have something to do with my clutch, which has gotten more and more difficult to shift gears. Last thing is that I'm burning oil. I have to add an ounce or so periodically.
So I'm now in the esteemed company of those of us that need advice {sigh}. Any ideas on what would cause the chain to run asymmetrically, even when it is clean and lubed?