I decided to try a 14 countershaft sprocket on my 610 as I've always felt the gearing was a little tall for tight trail riding. So I've got it installed (surprised that it's being held on by just that little clip) put wheel back on, adjusted chain to where it should be and went for a little test run. As soon as I gave it a good amount of throttle I felt my chain kind of jerk, looked down and it was totally loose. Luckily I was a couple hundred feet from my driveway. I know I tightened everything up nice and tight. So anyway, somehow the axel moved to where the little notches that you use to adjust chain were way out of sinc. I went through the whole process again, everything is nice and tight. Went to test ride and same exact thing happens again. I was planning on going riding tommorrow up in Foresthill but I'm baffled as to what I may have done wrong?? Any suggestions would be cool. Jerry
When in doubt undo what you did and see if that helps, and take some tools and other sprocket with you to Forest Hill - and please ride safe. Memorial Day & Forest Hill & I do not mix well (injury a few years ago). It is late on a Friday night and you may not be thinking clearly, I'm not. Let us know what happens
Before tightening the axle nut, make sure the axle blocks are snug against the adjuster screws. I put an screwdriver between the rear sprocket and chain, then turn the wheel backwards. This drives the axle blocks snug. Then, torque the axle nut tight. I use 75 ft-lbs for the axle nut. The manual calls out something like 100 ft-lbs or higher. This is excessive versus all bikes that I have owned. Too much torque and you can deform the wheel spacers and make the bearings bind. So, I decided to use 75 ft-lbs. Also, mark the final location of nut, axle blocks, and swingarm with paint lines. This gives you a quick visual if something has moved.
Thanks for the replys, I spent the day working on the bike and decided to hold off on Foresthill til Monday. Matt you pretty much nailed it on the money. The adjuster screws weren't against the axel blocks. I also removed a link from the chain. I noticed the two spacers both had tiny little grooves in them. I doubt they're supposed have grooves and one of them looked just slightly deformed, as you mentioned, compared to the other. I'm always a little paranoid to crank that axel nut to tight for fear of stripping the threads on the axel. Anyway, problem solved. BTW, Dean was that trail 6 that you got hurt on ? I'm definitely going to skip that one tommorrow although I have taken my 610 on it before. I like 5 though but it's kind of a ways up from where I park my truck. Parker Flat or Sugarpine. Ok, Goodnight , Jerry
I did the more difficult trails fine, it was one of the more easy trails when I was not paying attention later in the day. Trail 3?
