Help! Loose chain, missing pieces? [Archive]

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NorCalTrike

04-28-2011, 02:10 AM

Hey there folks. Here for some more wisdom.
I got on my trike the other day and when i started to take off i could here clinking, and i noticed my skid plate was rubbing against the chain. The chain was very loose and the guard was all smashed up. Like i hit something, HARD. I took the skid plate off and banged it back into shape with a hammer. When i looked at the trike again, the chain was hanging, like i could almost take it off the teeth with my fingers. I do remember there being a piece of rubber or like a guide that my chain would rest and rub on. Well, there is not rubber guide thingy. And im not sure if there was one to begin with. Please shoot me all pictures and advice to help me fix this. Please note, there is no chain cover and the axel did not move, it remains in the same spot. At first i thought the axel got knocked, but i was mistaken, and theres no way i hit anything that hard. So i believe i am missing that rubber guard guide thingy ma bob. Please help and please send pics or diagrams. I will try to post some pic's for you guys, but im sure one of you knows what im talking about.

There is a rubber guide thingy above the chain, im just trying to figure out if theres supposed to be one underneath as well. help
:twisted:

tommerp

04-28-2011, 02:29 AM

The rubber thingy ma bob is a chain guide... in most cases, it's job is to keep pressure on the chain when you compress the rear springs of the bike. As the bike and swingarm move, the chain needs to keep similar tightness so it does not slip off the sprockets. If you chain is that sloppy just sitting there, you first need to tighten up the chain - aka slip that rear carrier backward. The get yourself some good chain rollers to keep the tension on the chain. You might even have a stretched out out chain / worn sprockets.

Since you didn't say what type of wheeler you have, it's hard to offer schematics or whatever. For the most part though, this is general on most bikes / trikes / quads / etc.

NorCalTrike

04-28-2011, 02:43 AM

Chain guide? Now is the chain guide pushing on the chain from the bottom or top? i have the top one still there, but there is no guide on the bottom. Sorry for the confusion i have a 1983 185s with a 250 top/front end. I will get pics on here by tomorrow so you can see what im talking about. I believe the chain is loose because i knocked the guide completely off. Can i get one of those guides on this site?

please. more feedback... i dont wanna wrench on the thing if all i am missing is a chain guide. lol

1984 honda 200s

04-28-2011, 10:55 PM

Vealmonkey

04-29-2011, 12:08 AM

Get a manual. You can find them on the web. Don't do anything without having a manual. They are great references and can keep you from making bad mistakes.

dcreel

04-29-2011, 12:11 AM

Here is your manual

http://www.oscarmayer.net/atc/manuals/honda/Honda_ATC185s_200_Service_Manual.pdf

NorCalTrike

04-29-2011, 01:27 AM

is its a 185s then theres 4 big bolts on the carrier, loosen them all (#17 wrench), then tighten this long bolt that stick out towards you at the bottom of the axel on the left hand side. #12 wrench. thats the chain adjuster, giver chit your sprokets and chain will last longer and im sure your crank case will too ;)

I understood all of that except the last sentence. "giver chit your sprockets and chain will last longer" what is giver chit? What ever it is, if its good for the trike i will definitely do it.

Also.... I know how adjust chain using adjuster bolt. But im sure there is a rubber chain guide or tensioner that the chain rides on.... Im scared that if i just tighten up the chain, i may end up stretching the chain. Anyone on here who has the same trike for the same year, PLEASE look on your trike and see if the chain rests on a rubber guide or not. Thanks for all the help, and the manual kicks ass! :D