kawabunga
XS650 Addict
I’ve reached a stumbling block that I cannot sort out. Hoping to find some help from those wiser than I...
(notice - the explanation is lengthy but I tried to be thorough)
I cannot properly tighten the rear axle on my bobber and I’m at a loss. One of two things happens. 1. I use a thicker spacer behind the chain adjuster plate closest to the nut and I'm able to get more torque on the axle nut, but then the drum will not rotate freely. 2. I use a thinner spacer and then the chain adjuster bottoms out on the axle and I can barely apply any torque to the axle nut before it wants to pull the chain adjuster over but the drum spins more freely.
Also, a symptom that may or may not be related but I'm also dealing with, is very, very excessive chain slap. Like...violent. The upper rung of the chain shakes so hard that it vibrates the entire chassis. It only seems to be present at small throttle openings to maintain speed or during light acceleration. Heavy acceleration does not seem to induce the same chain slap.
*Important background on the bike before getting any further into it. My bike is far from stock with a custom made swingarm. I took a TC Bros hardtail kit and created my own "softail", essentially recreating my own Triumph Bonneville Bobber. So, the swingarm is completely custom, however, the rear axle plates are exactly as created by TC Bros. I know people have experience with those, which will hopefully come in handy.
A couple of photos:
I'll try to summarize this so it's not too drawn out but some of the things that lead me to this point may help.
I initially had trouble getting the stock chain adjusters to fit properly, they're too wide for the TC Bros. axle plates. I reached out to TC Bros. regarding this, they suggested large washers as spacers to fill the gaps. I did that, it seemed to solve that issue.
When I was building the swingarm, I used a threaded rod with washers and nuts as a jig to maintain the proper spacing between the axle plates while I was cutting and welding.
I believe all of the OEM spacers are present. I have referenced other threads and parts diagrams searching for a possible missing spacer. I do not think that I'm missing any parts. However, that doesn't mean that I'm not...
To address the excessive chain slap, I was not sure if it was axle related or potentially something wrong with the clutch cush drive. The six springs used to dampen the clutch are in tact with no visible signs of damage. However, I did find a warped steel plate and grooves worn in the push rod. I replaced the push rod and all new steels and fibers. The clutch feels a lot better but there has been no change in the chain slapping.
Whether the drum not rotating freely when the axle is tightened down, or the axle being too loose, or something being funky to cause the chain to slap violently is all related or if they're separate issues, I'm not sure. And I'm running out of ideas. Obviously there's a really big potential that I created a really unique problem for myself here by hacking the bike apart and building all custom components, I realize that. But, there has to be some way to sort out both the axle/drum issue and the chain flailing around like crazy issue. I'm open to ideas! Anyone got anything??
Thanks!
(notice - the explanation is lengthy but I tried to be thorough)
I cannot properly tighten the rear axle on my bobber and I’m at a loss. One of two things happens. 1. I use a thicker spacer behind the chain adjuster plate closest to the nut and I'm able to get more torque on the axle nut, but then the drum will not rotate freely. 2. I use a thinner spacer and then the chain adjuster bottoms out on the axle and I can barely apply any torque to the axle nut before it wants to pull the chain adjuster over but the drum spins more freely.
Also, a symptom that may or may not be related but I'm also dealing with, is very, very excessive chain slap. Like...violent. The upper rung of the chain shakes so hard that it vibrates the entire chassis. It only seems to be present at small throttle openings to maintain speed or during light acceleration. Heavy acceleration does not seem to induce the same chain slap.
*Important background on the bike before getting any further into it. My bike is far from stock with a custom made swingarm. I took a TC Bros hardtail kit and created my own "softail", essentially recreating my own Triumph Bonneville Bobber. So, the swingarm is completely custom, however, the rear axle plates are exactly as created by TC Bros. I know people have experience with those, which will hopefully come in handy.
A couple of photos:
I'll try to summarize this so it's not too drawn out but some of the things that lead me to this point may help.
I initially had trouble getting the stock chain adjusters to fit properly, they're too wide for the TC Bros. axle plates. I reached out to TC Bros. regarding this, they suggested large washers as spacers to fill the gaps. I did that, it seemed to solve that issue.
When I was building the swingarm, I used a threaded rod with washers and nuts as a jig to maintain the proper spacing between the axle plates while I was cutting and welding.
I believe all of the OEM spacers are present. I have referenced other threads and parts diagrams searching for a possible missing spacer. I do not think that I'm missing any parts. However, that doesn't mean that I'm not...
To address the excessive chain slap, I was not sure if it was axle related or potentially something wrong with the clutch cush drive. The six springs used to dampen the clutch are in tact with no visible signs of damage. However, I did find a warped steel plate and grooves worn in the push rod. I replaced the push rod and all new steels and fibers. The clutch feels a lot better but there has been no change in the chain slapping.
Whether the drum not rotating freely when the axle is tightened down, or the axle being too loose, or something being funky to cause the chain to slap violently is all related or if they're separate issues, I'm not sure. And I'm running out of ideas. Obviously there's a really big potential that I created a really unique problem for myself here by hacking the bike apart and building all custom components, I realize that. But, there has to be some way to sort out both the axle/drum issue and the chain flailing around like crazy issue. I'm open to ideas! Anyone got anything??
Thanks!