Chain coming off of my sprocket...

[jdub198425]

I just got my cart together last night! We ran around the yard to test it out and my chain came off. I checked the slack in the chain and removed a half a link. This along with letting the motor mount bolts out just a touch tightened it right up. I've had it come off twice since then though. I'm not sure whats going on now. Any thoughts or ideas of what might cause it to pop off would be helpful. Also is there a way to load my build pics on here? And video? Thanks.

 

[landuse]

Look HERE to load pics.

You might find that your clutch and axle sprockets are not 100% aligned. Make sure that they are.

Post some pics of the sprockets

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Use a straightedge to check alignment. Note that not only to they need to be alighned laterally, but they need to be parallel, too. This means straight in relation to each other. If the engine is turned on a slight angle, it'll toss the chain.

Check for flex, as well. Of bouncing or twisting of the frame, axle, or engine mounts can cause the chain to go slack for even brief moments, that will cause it.

 

[mike.]

So toystory and landuse hit on alignment, heres my advice: If its a new chain, not pre stretched (racing kart chains are usually pre stretched), it will stretch a lot during the first few uses. You can tighten it and it could be loose 15 minutes later. Just keep tightening it.
A way to lessen the amount of times you need to tighten is to put a spring tensioner on there. I am building one right now with a skate board wheel. You will still have to tighten but you have a much broader tolerance for a loose chain.