Nut that covers the front sprocket moves

[GabrielGoes]

I Took off the sprocket cover to clean my gear shift indicator and noticed that the big nut thats on top of the sprocket moves with like 4mm of play and i can move it left to right about 4mm each way, i tried to move it past these points but it seems rock solid, BUT it has like 4-5mm of play left to right... is this normal?

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

I would say No ! Have you tried to tighten it ?? Straighten the lock tabs first

 

[Leigh]

Is it just the nut or is the shaft that is moving?

 

[GabrielGoes]

Is it just the nut or is the shaft that is moving?

jut the nut is moving, and there is a "lock tab" als well thats bent up so the nut doesnt go past this point... i have tried tightening it but it seems to be rock solid past the point thats why i kinda figured it should be moving around a bit...

 

[Guest]

When I first got my 450 that nut was loose, as in not even finger tight, and only held on by the lock washer.

The splines on the sprocket had worn as a result and I replaced the sprocket.

From what I can tell and the replies I got on here when deciding if I should replace the drive shaft or not while I had it apart, there should be very very little free play if any at all, so something sounds very wrong there.

My suggestion is flatten out the lock washer, remove the nut and sprocket, and inspect the splines on the sprocket and shaft very closely.

If they're worn, they apparently should wear evenly on the sprocket and shaft and hopefully you should be able to get away with just replacing the sprocket and then ensuring the nut is torqued up completely according to the manual.

I would imagine some blue locktite would be a good help in keeping it there too, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not...

 

[GabrielGoes]

When I first got my 450 that nut was loose, as in not even finger tight, and only held on by the lock washer.

The splines on the sprocket had worn as a result and I replaced the sprocket.

From what I can tell and the replies I got on here when deciding if I should replace the drive shaft or not while I had it apart, there should be very very little free play if any at all, so something sounds very wrong there.

My suggestion is flatten out the lock washer, remove the nut and sprocket, and inspect the splines on the sprocket and shaft very closely.

If they're worn, they apparently should wear evenly on the sprocket and shaft and hopefully you should be able to get away with just replacing the sprocket and then ensuring the nut is torqued up completely according to the manual.

I would imagine some blue locktite would be a good help in keeping it there too, but I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not...

hmm that sounds like a plan, how do you recommend folding hte lock washer up and down with a pair of pliers or should i hammer it flat or something? i hope i can tighten this nut down because it worries me!

 

[Guest]

Been about 5 years, but from memory just a big pair of pliers did the trick.

I may have started with a flat edged screwdriver and hammer to move it away from the nut enough to get a good grip with the pliers.

It would worry me too! In fact it did at the time...

 

[gearhead13]

Those sprocket nuts are supposed to be torqued to 50+ lb/ft depending on what model you have, my 750 says 65-72.5 lb/ft.

 

[GabrielGoes]

Those sprocket nuts are supposed to be torqued to 50+ lb/ft depending on what model you have, my 750 says 65-72.5 lb/ft.

50lbs+ so thats like tighten it HARD right? i got a brass bar that can be used as a cheat bar so i can go hard if thats what it requires

 

[salty_monk]

Yes, probably almost as hard as you can go with an 18" bar... You can always put a bit of blue loctite on there too, won't hurt.

 

[JEEPRUSTY]

so what causes this does the chain actually force the sprocket off the its axis and wear down the threads in the nut?

Mine was loose too.

 

[GabrielGoes]

Yes, probably almost as hard as you can go with an 18" bar... You can always put a bit of blue loctite on there too, won't hurt.

jeeze louis that nut on my bike is moving around like theres no tommorow! i gotta do something about that soon!

 

[Guest]

so what causes this does the chain actually force the sprocket off the its axis and wear down the threads in the nut?

Mine was loose too.

I think mine was poor maintenance from a PO. I got it from a pawn shop so no idea how well or poorly it was maintained.

From what I can tell, if you don't torque it up right it will come loose.

 

[Leigh]

My GSX-F did the same thing.
The front sprocket was, erm, a little old and had worn the inside teeth away and let the nut go loose.
Once I changed the sprocket the nut settled in nice and tight again.

 

[Rick65Cat]

Gabriel,

when you tighten the nut use a long handle for more leverage, or better still..a proper torque wrench. Also, (in 1st gear with the chain on ) have someone standing on the rear brake pedal. this will stop you from simply turning over the motor as you try to tighten it.

 

[Guest]

Gabriel,

when you tighten the nut use a long handle for more leverage, or better still..a proper torque wrench. Also, (in 1st gear with the chain on ) have someone standing on the rear brake pedal. this will stop you from simply turning over the motor as you try to tighten it.

Definitely do this! After I discovered mine was like that, I tightened it up as best I could, but I was by myself (noone to stand on the brake), had no torque wrench, and the only spanner that would fit was a shifter, so as you can imagine it wasn't long before it was loose again... once I get it all back together this time, I won't be making that mistake again!