Evo sportster primary chain wear limits

[Tater66]

Everything thing I have read so far only mentions the shoe adjustment. I can only assume that if you have enough meat on the shoe AND have enough of the adjustment bolt hanging out of the case for the sealing nut to do its job then your good to go. Is there a way to determine whats worn out or whats acceptable ?

Yes? No? Thoughts?


BTW the shoe thats on it now is worn and "groovy". To be replaced for sure along with new nut.

[JBinNC]

A grooved chain shoe is pretty much normal, and not a cause for replacement.

In general, chains wear unevenly, and develop tight and loose spots. When the tight and loose spots cannot be made to fall within the recommended adjustment range, you can consider a primary chain to be worn out. For example, if you adjust the tightest spot to the low end of the adjustment range, and the loosest spot is looser than the high limit of adjustment, the chain is done. You can also test by lifting the (loose) chain off a sprocket, which is a very old test. Or you can compress and extend a length of the chain and measure the wear. I have a gauge from Tsubaki that shows the wear limits for different pitch chains, and that applies to multi-row chains the same as single strand drive chains.

Jim

[Tater66]

Just so Im clear...

I need to rotate engine and find the tight/loose spots. At that point I can adjust tensioner to at both the tight and loose to find a "middle ground" that is withing the tolerance given in the manual. If I cant find a happy medium then replace chain and possibly the engine sprocket.

[JBinNC]

Just so Im clear...

I need to rotate engine and find the tight/loose spots. At that point I can adjust tensioner to at both the tight and loose to find a "middle ground" that is withing the tolerance given in the manual. If I cant find a happy medium then replace chain and possibly the engine sprocket.

You got it. When adjusting any chain, it's best to find the tightest spot and adjust there. That is because too tight can cause more damage than too loose. That is chain maintenance 101.

Jim

[Tater66]

Thanks JB. You are a wealth of knowledge.


One more quick/stupid question. The PO used what looks like Indian Head gasket sealant on the derby quad ring. Any thought on how to get that gunk off without gouging the narrow groove for quad ring ?

[JBinNC]

Thanks JB. You are a wealth of knowledge.


One more quick/stupid question. The PO used what looks like Indian Head gasket sealant on the derby quad ring. Any thought on how to get that gunk off without gouging the narrow groove for quad ring ?

Lacquer thinner & a brass bristle brush.

Jim