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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Swing arm chain slide/guide?
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Message started by Surviving Philly on 12/24/24 at 11:25:32

Title: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by Surviving Philly on 12/24/24 at 11:25:32

Yo savages! Merry Christmas you filthy animals!

Here's a question. Since doing the chain conversion I've been watching the chain get closer and closer to the swing arm. It's not touching yet, and I have been adjusting tension at the rear to accommodate chain slack -- but I'm anticipating an eventual first kiss between the chain and the swing arm.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a slider/guide for the top of the swing arm right at the pivot? Something nice and soft for the chain to rub against?

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by JOG on 12/24/24 at 12:15:57

Those white plastic 1/2" thick cutting boards might make a good one.

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by ThumperPaul on 12/24/24 at 12:37:02

Merry Christmas, you Savage!

You mean like one of these gizmos? Shop around eBay. There are different sizes and shapes. You may have to cut it down, and you'll probably have to get creative with attaching it - like drill and tap some holes in the swingarm. Or just glue it real good.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/193933358809?_skw=dirt+bike+chain+guide&itmmeta=01JFX5RGNS8X3A6S582HAD9ZWJ&hash=item2d275436d9:g:3xUAAOSwhrFe9azX&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKkL%2BoM4l%2Fwg3ReiZG7D1YL3FlDZ8NRYUrDjrFEy2j22PTXwYBYDpPmsW8iGmJBHiBqaLZxHAi537xTDN1oc4mDTsnnfo5A25uKzcyZKlf8HFMk1Q%2BZQvgLuickEKiiLoQNjVF0P3EQ%2FfZlP16CMLNIpEgXhR%2BWcwc8ERB0H%2FBjgQyMHOJiSjNQWPRhIfbbsC%2B%2BAPJIJ3q3d0FpohalVTFeM4iGOe%2FO6Sb%2Fjk%2Fgvpsf63ovSvWahe5bobEq8wmtu7Fd48hRvXL%2BQ1ULecxkTgG50O%2BIyKK4jxVf20CK07QNDeg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBM6Ivipf9k

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by Fast 650 on 12/24/24 at 12:48:37

Can you go bigger on both sprockets? That would get the chain farther away from the swingarm while keeping the ratio that you have.

Another option would be a spring loaded chain tensioner like the dirt bikes with long travel suspensions used to have so that there isn't enough slack for the chain to make contact as easily.

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by Surviving Philly on 12/24/24 at 13:55:04

Thanks for the replies -- feeling the love.

About the cutting board material how have people attached this in the past?

Thumper for the eBay link thank you -- same question applies. I'm a little hesitant to drill/tap the swingarm. I actually ground off all the mounting tabs for the belt guards to accommodate the chain.

I think in general I'm trying to find some tips on how to mount a soft material for the chain to rub on.

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by ThumperPaul on 12/24/24 at 14:08:32

I understand the concern about drilling the swingarm. Liquid Nails Heavy Duty that puppy on there! Find an old tire and cut cha out a right-sized piece and liquid nail it on there!

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by blod on 12/26/24 at 09:50:24

What was wrong with the belt drive ?

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by ohiomoto on 12/26/24 at 19:48:40

There's nothing wrong with the belt. I still use it, but people use chains for gearing and aesthetics. Or maybe they just wanted to do a mod. But the belt drive is fine if it's your thing.

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by blod on 12/27/24 at 02:34:34

My thing is..... If it works don't fix it.

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by ohiomoto on 12/27/24 at 04:31:12

Oh, so you're trolling, just like you were doing in the gearing thread. haha

Well then, one could say, "What's wrong with two wheels?" or "My motorcycle works fine with two wheels." ;)

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by blod on 12/27/24 at 13:59:30

63646563616378630C0 wrote:

Oh, so you're trolling, just like you were doing in the gearing thread. haha

Well then, one could say, "What's wrong with two wheels?" or "My motorcycle works fine with two wheels." ;)

No I am not trolling, I am speaking my mind, sorry if that hurts your feelings.

My motorcycle also works fine with two wheels , as long as it's on a paved road. On gravel roads three wheels work much better. :)

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by sljob on 12/30/24 at 01:01:06

The most common solution for this type of problem is a chain slider made of soft but durable material like rubber or nylon. These sliders are designed to be mounted on the swing arm where the chain makes contact.

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by Ruttly on 12/30/24 at 08:55:25

I use a slider from a 80s Husky , already has 4 holes for screws to mount it. And maybe a stationary roller or spring loaded roller to control excess chain slop due to swing arm angle. Geometry , best way to conquer it is mock-ups. Remove spring from rear shock remove the other shock , now you can move swing arm to watch what the chain does and where it’s gonna touch. Also helps when adjusting chain travel.

Title: Re: Swing arm chain slide/guide?
Post by Surviving Philly on 01/13/25 at 14:20:36

Thanks for the responses. Still looking into this -- I'll throw up some pictures once I get a good mock up going. Complicating matters, I did remove the belt guard mounts when I put the chain on, so I may not be able to use a prefabbed slider. I'm inclined to try epoxying something on there If I can get it neat, but I'm not sure about epoxy/liquid nails holding up to any friction from the chain hitting it --- I've seen liquid nails cause entire sections of wainscoting to fail in more than one bathroom.