chain wear/aligment/possible incorrect sprocket intall?

[dorkburger]

I noticed my chain side plates are showing wear on the inside (side closer to tire).
i took off the front sprocket cover and chainguard and took a look. The chain appears to be entering the rear sprocket ok, but favors the outside as it enters the front.
Ive always adjusted the chain using the marks on the swingarm, which ive read isnt always accurate, so I loosened the wheel and pushed it both left and right using the adjuster screws, which made little difference at the front sprocket.
The sprockets are Sunstar 630 size. I noticed the front sprocket has a flange on one side which is currently facing out, and is flush on the other. Could it be as simple as it being installed backwards? If I flip it, it will place the sprocket more outboard and may line up better, as long as its not then too far out. As soon as I can get the nut loose I plan to try this.
Also i currently have no alignment checking tool. What is a good one, or a good homebrewed design? Seems that a straight edge placed along the rear sprocket will at least tell if the rear sprocket and chain are running parallel.
Thanks in advance.


Picture showing wear on the inside side plates. The other side does not have this.

 

[Missile99]

My bike is certainly different, but my pictures from last year's chain installation appears to have the flange on the inside. I can't be certain, but I do remember testing the best way to put it on even though I documented how it came off. I don't see the flange in my pictures like I see in yours. I've heard of people using the Motion Pro alignment tool, $15-$20. I need to get one because I can't seem to get the chain to run true around the back sprocket no matter what I try.

 

[dorkburger]

I managed to get the sprocket off, and found wear on its inside, so I figured it was installed backwards. I flipped it then set a straight along the rear sprocket/chain and found it was very out of line, and touching the sprocket cover so slightly. I returned it to its original position, and it seems to line up resonably well, though the original problem still exists.

There is a slowly mounting pile of evidence ive been trying to ignore over the last 15 years ive owned this cycle.....I think its bent somewhere. I knew the PO crashed it, but evidently far harder then I realized. Looking from the rear, the back section of the frame and rear wheel arent centered over each other, and there are other clues that have popped up over the years.

Ive ridden it this long.......might as well keep going.

 

[Missile99]

Bummer. Try the alignment tool and see if it will help. Maybe being just a little straighter will give you some peace of mind.

 

[dorkburger]

Im going to look into that though I think it'll just confirm badness, but if I can get it closer it couldn't hurt.

 

[earlfor]

Im going to look into that though I think it'll just confirm badness, but if I can get it closer it couldn't hurt.

I use the chain alignment marks as a 1st approximation when adjusting my chain. To fine tune it, I spin the rear tire a dozen times by hand to see where the teeth track on the chain roller. Then I tweak whichever adjuster I need to, to make the rear sprocket teeth track in the center of the chain roller. Spin the tire another dozen times to check tracking. My chain is never set exactly on the same marks on both sides.

 

[blowerbike]

it's not bent...
every 1150 i have had is not centered over the rear tire.
i strutted one of mine and the rear fender/frame rails was WAY off as compared to the rear wheel.
this is not noticed on stock height 1150's but when you slam the rear...wooooo...looks terrible!

 

[dorkburger]

it's not bent...
every 1150 i have had is not centered over the rear tire.
i strutted one of mine and the rear fender/frame rails was WAY off as compared to the rear wheel.
this is not noticed on stock height 1150's but when you slam the rear...wooooo...looks terrible!

Well thanks for making my morning. This is the first ive heard of that.

 

[dorkburger]

That seems odd to me. Do you think its age related or sloppy production?

 

[MAC10]

I use an adapted laser pointer to align the chain. The dollar store round bodied kind, with a duct tape ring around it so it points along the chain when set on top of the rear sprocket. The bright red dot shows up well, and this set up works as well as the motion pro kind. I confirmed my adjustment with a motion pro tool, and the laser pointer is all I use now. Small, cheap, and portable too, for checking adjustments on long trips.

 

[blowerbike]

That seems odd to me. Do you think its age related or sloppy production?

the short answer is....no.
there is no rule saying the rear wheel has to be centered between the frame rails.
my 1985 1150E i raced was 2 years old with 2k miles...brand new condition.
it is just the way it is.

 

[jbird7262]

On my 450 when the chain marks are aligned the wheel/tire sets closer to the rt. side of the swingarm, but the chain is in alignment front and rear. As long as your tread wear is even and your chain is not leaving mounds of metal shavings around your front sprocket and the case, your probably ok.