Can’t tighten chain

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Dec 6, 2023 | 09:10 PM

Joe0328

Thread Starter

Stage IV

Joined: May 2021

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: NY

Can’t tighten chain

I have a 2015 road king and I did the Trask chain conversion with 530 chain 120t, I can’t seem to adjust the rear tire to get the chain tight and I did already remove a link in the chain, idk what I’m missing, do I gotta change the rear axle or something??

Dec 6, 2023 | 10:43 PM

TwiZted Biker

Club Member

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 66,126

Likes: 51,455

From: Niles Canyon Ca.

Can't take a full link they do make 1/2's, that or sprockets.

Dec 7, 2023 | 09:41 AM

btsom

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2012

Posts: 4,459

Likes: 2,896

From: Oklahoma

How many miles on this set-up? Sprockets wear and eventually need to be replaced.

Dec 7, 2023 | 09:50 AM

foxtrapper

HDF Community Team

Joined: Nov 2012

Posts: 6,191

Likes: 2,422

From: USA

Wrong chain length? Probably worth measuring/counting yours and contacting Trask about what you’ve got vs what it’s supposed to be.

Dec 7, 2023 | 12:42 PM

KK0G

Road Captain

Joined: Oct 2020

Posts: 518

Likes: 593

From: Central Iowa

If the axle is bottomed out and the chain isn't tight then clearly it's still too long.

Dec 7, 2023 | 01:21 PM

Redrodyankneck

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 2,285

Likes: 965

From: Eastern NC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe0328

Don't over think it.. Since you already removed a link, why not remove another? What do you mean changing the rear axle? You mean the diameter, cut the chain until it fits. I have purchased many 120 chains for a 108 link spec

Dec 7, 2023 | 07:55 PM

Max Headflow

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 19,929

Likes: 8,033

From: poway

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redrodyankneck

Because with the cam adjusters there may not be enough slack? The tension system is setup for a belt with fixed pulley sizes.

With a 5/8 pitch chain, removing 1 full link will require moving the axle forward about 5/8 inch.. Is there enough adjustment? Might be better off welding a 1/4 inch block on the stop that the cams rest against or going to one of those fancy axle/adjusters..