final drive chain clearance
Posted: Mon Aug 28, 2000 10:24 pm
Hello all, I own a '94 KLR650. Earlier this year I dropped my chain while putting along on a trail near my house. Looking back, I think I know the cause. After purchasing the bike, I went over it, looking for potential problems. I recall looking a the chain and thinking something looked odd. But while my focus was on the chain tension and whether my new bike was supposed to be equipped with a rear chain tensioner, I overlooked a major malfunction (at least I think this was the problem). I think the cause of my chain coming off was due to the masterlink clip being installed in the wrong direction. So now I have a nice new x-ring chain installed with the master link clip going the right way, but there seems to be an inherent clearance problem with the chain and the frame connecting bolt just below the battery. I'm sure the chain is coming up and bumping against this bolt. And my guess is that when I dropped my chain it was due to the fact that the previous owner had the masterlink clip on backwards. The clip must have took an unlucky brush against this bolt which popped it right off. Then the master link worked loose and the chain fell off, but not before taking a healthy shaving of aluminum off my case right about the counter shaft. I have been watching and checking my chain and masterlink very closely since I dropped the chain. I'm noticing that the tips of the masterlink are showing some wear from apparently brushing the bolt occasionally. The masterlink ends protrude out just a fraction farther than the other permanent rivets. So now I'm starting to get worried about chain problems again. Does anyone have any similar observations? And has anyone done any modifications to address the chain clearance problems? Or should I just not be concerned as long as the clip is installed correctly? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. -Dave Kleber Pittsburgh, PA A8 KLR650 http://www.city-net.com/~davekle/