[Superchuck]

So for a week or two I've been occasionally hearing what I assume to be a rubbing rear chain, mainly when I go over bumps/potholes/etc.  I checked my chain and it was a little loose (~3" play on an unladen bike) so not hugely out of whack.  tightened the chain by moving back the wheel a few notches until it had a little under 2" of play on an unladen bike (which is tighter than reverend snidal recommends) however, the reason I tightened it so far is that the chain perpetually sags and rubs on a part of the bike frame directly to the rear of the primary case.

Is the chain supposed to rub on this horizontal bar?  Does the active chain tighten up and lose a bit of the slackness, thus eliminating the rub?  If I tighten the chain until it's not rubbing on this bar any more I fear it will be too tight per snidal's manual recommendations.

Thanks in advance,

Chuck

[cyrusb]

Tighten it up and then sit on the bike or have friend load it and see.

[barenekd]

If it's too loose it'll rub. There is your loose indicator.
Bare

[Superchuck]

Cool, so sounds like chain tightening is an order... does anyone think there will be a problem with me tightening the chain to, say, 1 inch of slack or less?  snidal recommends 2" of slack with a rider on the bike.  i know these machines are very much an art as opposed to a science, but I don't want to prematurely wear out my chain or sprockets...

thanks,

chuck

[boggy]

Mine was rubbing too, and had about 3" of slack sans-rider.  It was chewing away at the frame!  I tightened it by two notches which allowed for about an 1.5" of slack without rider.  No more rubbing.  One notch on those adjusters makes a HUGE difference.

Tip I got here: Mark current notch spot with a Sharpie before you loosen things up.

[Superchuck]

thanks, so i'll tighten it and it shouldn't be a problem-  and my notches are already sharpied up!   

[barenekd]

Use a center punch. It won't wash off.
Bare

[Superchuck]

who said i was washing my RE? 

[Ice]

,,,,,Uh umm,,, does that mean they're supposed to be washed on purpose ?













 

[Chasfield]

Check the chain tihghtness at several rear wheel positions. Sprocket ovality and gear box main shaft run out can give tight spots on the chain that could be too tight if you set up the adjustment when the chain was at its slackest.

[Superchuck]

Cool thanks for the pointer- I'll definately do that to see if it explains my excessive chain play.

Thanks again,

Chuck

[barenekd]

,,,Uh umm,,, does that mean they're supposed to be washed on purpose ?

Actually, I was thinking more of chain lube, rain and muddy water and stuff like that. The real solvents of the world,
Bare

[Arizoni]

Wow!

3 inches of chain slop?

While your tightening up your chain be sure to check out the rear sprocket.

A chain that has been run very far that loose can do a number on the sprocket teeth and a few missing teeth can mess up even a good chain, let alone the somewhat weak chain that comes on a RE.