Help Me!

[Jake.]

[/ATTACH]

Hey guys, I’ve got my go kart running with no problems EXCEPT when I was on it today I hit a bump and the chain fell off. I built this kart for the street and whenever it is on the street the chain has no problem but when I go into rough territory the chain tends to fall off. In the picture you can see the chain is wedged between the wheel and the sprocket, the main problem is that it is stuck under a bolt and I can’t get it out. Any suggestions to get it out and prevent this problem in the future? Thanks!

 

[HONEYBADGERFTW]

Alignment or tension might be the issue. To get the chain, take the tire/rim off or take the master link out maybe. I've ran into similar situations where I ended up pulling on the chain while rolling the vehicle backwards (since it lodged itself going forward) and it came free after a few attempts and repositioning.

 

[Jake.]

Alignment or tension might be the issue. To get the chain, take the tire/rim off or take the master link out maybe. I've ran into similar situations where I ended up pulling on the chain while rolling the vehicle backwards (since it lodged itself going forward) and it came free after a few attempts and repositioning.

It is aligned well but you may be right about tension. I think the rolling and pulling may be a good idea because last time this happened all my other ideas didnt work but when i rolled it, the chain slid right out.

Also i have already removed the master link but it hasn't helped.

 

[itsid]

yeah it's quite obvious that this chain is NOT meant for that sprocket

likely a #40 chain on a #41 sprocket

Also you must have hit something with the sprocket...
it's bent (it might be the image, but it's very distinct on the lower edge of the pic, so I doubt it's the camera fisheye'ing)

So, remove the sprocket, check it's straightness,
and check if the teath are worn out
looks like they are although it's hard to tell from this angle of course.
If worn out, replace!
If just bent, straighten it up.

And then, if at any rate possible pick either #40 all the way or #41 all the way
(420 chain is better than #41 and of the exact same size, so pick that)
Sprockets for #41 are narrower and although many claim #40 and #41 they're not exactly interchangeable.
40 has slightly larger rollers and is wider so #40 chain on a #41 sprocket isn't exactly a perfect fit.

'sid

 

[Jake.]

yeah it's quite obvious that this chain is NOT meant for that sprocket

likely a #40 chain on a #41 sprocket

Also you must have hit something with the sprocket...
it's bent (it might be the image, but it's very distinct on the lower edge of the pic, so I doubt it's the camera fisheye'ing)

So, remove the sprocket, check it's straightness,
and check if the teath are worn out
looks like they are although it's hard to tell from this angle of course.
If worn out, replace!
If just bent, straighten it up.

And then, if at any rate possible pick either #40 all the way or #41 all the way
(420 chain is better than #41 and of the exact same size, so pick that)
Sprockets for #41 are narrower and although many claim #40 and #41 they're not exactly interchangeable.
40 has slightly larger rollers and is wider so #40 chain on a #41 sprocket isn't exactly a perfect fit.

'sid

The sprocket is for a 35 chain and its a 35 chain they are both almost brand new. I can see how the sprocket looks bent in the picture but it's just a weird angle and is perfectly straight. Thanks anyways though.

 

[itsid]

that sprocket looks so narrow compared to the roller width...

Odd...

So back to chain tension and alignment it is..
Also make sure you do not have too much play in the axle
(especially lateral play can cause throwing chains)
So jack up the rear end, and push the axle left to right
and see where you're at.
Worst case you need to realign the axle and use fresh (good quality) axle bearings to
reduce unwanted play.

No need to tell you that the engine needs to be tightly bolted down of course
(so no rubber 'dampening' or other way to move the engine even the slightest bit)

And while we're at it, make sure both the crankshaft and the axle are perfectly parallel.

Ideally losen the locking bolt (or grub screws) on the clutch and spin the axle,
if you see the clutch wiggling around, move the engine until it doesn't.
(hoping that the axle is perpendicular to the chassis)
then lock the clutch down again..

'sid

 

[Jake.]

that sprocket looks so narrow compared to the roller width...

Odd...

So back to chain tension and alignment it is..
Also make sure you do not have too much play in the axle
(especially lateral play can cause throwing chains)
So jack up the rear end, and push the axle left to right
and see where you're at.
Worst case you need to realign the axle and use fresh (good quality) axle bearings to
reduce unwanted play.

No need to tell you that the engine needs to be tightly bolted down of course
(so no rubber 'dampening' or other way to move the engine even the slightest bit)

And while we're at it, make sure both the crankshaft and the axle are perfectly parallel.

Ideally losen the locking bolt (or grub screws) on the clutch and spin the axle,
if you see the clutch wiggling around, move the engine until it doesn't.
(hoping that the axle is perpendicular to the chassis)
then lock the clutch down again..

'sid

Yeah I’m gonna get that stupid chain unstuck and my first priority is to tense the chain a bit more because it is more loose than ideal, thanks!

 

[landuse]

Also check that your axle itself isn't bent causing a wobble

 

[Budget GoKart]

Wow thats really wedged in there, ive delt with this on my first kart if its wedged between the sprocket and rim take unbolt the wheel and your chain should just fall out