Swingarm chain guide

[Mutley]

Has anyone changed their chain guide on the swingarm lately? If so, does the swingarm have to come out and where did you manage to pick one up from? I've tried the usual suspects but no luck yet. I put new chain & sprockets on a couple of weeks ago but they seem to be running rougher than I'd like, hopefully a set of guides will help. Has anyone run their bike in gear with the front sprocket cover off? Mine really seems to be running almost on top of the sprocket but is perfect as soon as I sit on the bike on the floor.

[lootch67]

I've replaced mine unnecessarily so you can have the old one if I can still find it. I think I bought mine from the local Honda dealer. It did involve removing the swingarm but it's not such a big deal. To be honest I'd recomment it as it gives you a chance to grease the linkages which made a huge difference to my bike - it had about 32k miles on the clock at the time.

How many miles have you done on your new chain/sprocket? My experience is that the chain takes a while to fully "mesh" with the sprocket. You could cut away some of the rubber damping (I'm assuming you have a OE Honda item) of the front sprocket.

[Dilbert]

As above regards greasing, however on my RD03 you don't have to remove the swing arm, just the sprocket cover and maybe the sprocket to give more room.

David Silvers or Honda, check both prices, not always cheaper at DS and free delivery from Honda.

[Mutley]

Cheers fellas. I've emailed David Silvers & Wemoto to see what they come up with. My local shop says possibly 10days for delivery which is cutting it a bit fine as I go away on holiday at the end of next week.

The new c&s have done about 1000 miles only, I'll try and 'clean' up the old slider this afternoon. Lootch, how much do you reckon could be shaved off either side of the front sprocket (Don't worry, I won't sue if it goes t*ts up).

If the swingarm has to come out, then so be it. Only just had the shock serviced a fortnight ago. Really thought with the new c&s that would be servicing done for a while. I stripped and cleaned the swingarm approx. 14 months ago so that will still be ok - ish!!. Gotta be better than watching big brother anyhow...

[lootch67]

Mmm, by 1000 miles it should've settled. I cut off about 3mm and it was fine after that.

[Mutley]

Thanks Lootch, I've had a look and together with your picture it's a lot clearer what was happening.

The links are firm up against the collar at the moment which is making it look a bit odd though I've regained my confidence in it again. David Silver came back to me with a price of 24 pounds for the guide which was ok but luckily not really needed now.

Cheers

[GSPD750]

Mmm, by 1000 miles it should've settled. I cut off about 3mm and it was fine after that.

Under normal circumstances should you have to cut the rubber damper? I would think not if your chain sliders are not excessivley worn. Something else would have to be amiss... in order for you to cut. No?
Following pic is of my '99 AT with a new OEM front sprocket and new
upper and lower chain sliders. Note that the chain in the pic was slightly used. Look ok? I personally would not wait for a chain slider to be so worn that you would only replace it because it theatens to damage the alu swingarm. An excessively worn upper slider adversely affects the feed of the chain to the upper sprocket...IMO.
I apologize for the cleaniless but it was just out of o'haul and had a pressure wash.



I deemed this upper slider worn even though honda gives you no limits.

[lootch67]

Under normal circumstances should you have to cut the rubber damper? I would think not if your chain sliders are not excessivley worn. Something else would have to be amiss... in order for you to cut. No?

Found it strange too. The next chain and sprocket set I fitted had none of these problems.

[Gearbox]

Mmm, by 1000 miles it should've settled. I cut off about 3mm and it was fine after that.

Lootch

This sprocket you show is finished - it's worn and hooked....

[barftone]

AS GSPD says. Something is not right. You should never have to shave the front sprocket rubber. Maybe best start again and make sure everything is standard and lined up ok and chain slack is correct.