Master link rubbing

drones76 · May 29, 2012

I got the bike rebuilt and running. I bought a replacement standard size chain. The issue seems to be the master link. The pins on the master link protrude about 1/16th of an inch further than the others. As I spin the wheel slowly, I can tell that the master is rubbing slightly on the chain guard and also up near the sprocket. I thought it was just the chain guard until I checked it more closely. Can I and/or should I ground down the pins down?

If not, is there an adjustment to resolve this issue?

DogT · May 29, 2012

I assume it's rubbing on the outside, not the inside. Got the spacer between the top of the gearbox and cradle correct? Did you shim the center stud on the primary inner correctly? Can you push the chain guard towards the outside? Do you have the thin headed bolt under the bottom shock mount for the guard? Were your motor mount studs worn in their holes?

It's always a close fit there but it can be accomplished.

Dave
69S

rx7171 · May 29, 2012

Did you remove and reinstall the rear wheel bearings in the brake assembly?
If yes there is a good chance that what you are seeing is the result of the bearinging not being fully seated because and the circlip has not been fully fitted into its groove.
This allows the sprocket assembly to move to the left which brings your chain into contact with the chain guard.
This will get worse as you ride.
I had a good shop overhaul my wheels and this is what happened.
I redid the bearings and the cause of the problem was obvious.

1up3down · May 29, 2012

just a thought,

but why not remove the master link and reverse to the other side of the chain?

maybe there is enough clearance over on that side so it will not touch anything, just takes a couple minutes

drones76 · May 29, 2012

1up3down said:
just a thought,

but why not remove the master link and reverse to the other side of the chain?

maybe there is enough clearance over on that side so it will not touch anything, just takes a couple minutes

Brilliant! With just the spin-the-wheel test it seems to have done the trick. I will get in out on the road to see if the clatter is gone.

Thanks.

jon

1up3down · May 29, 2012

Brilliant! With just the spin-the-wheel test it seems to have done the trick. I will get in out on the road to see if the clatter is gone.

glad to hear that may have solved the problem

Given all the help I have been given on this forum, it feels kinda good to help someone else!

YING · May 30, 2012

I had the same problem on mine.Did the whole check-list twice.Finally just flipped the master-link over.I still do not
know what is causing the problem but its not hitting any more.
Mike

drones76 · May 30, 2012

Now it does not rub when I hand turn it or at low speeds. When I get up the speed a bit, I hear it, but it is not as pronounced. I may pull the guard so I can be see if it is the guard itself in two places or something else up front.

maylar · May 30, 2012

Reversing the master link sometimes will dig into the gearbox case instead of the chaincase. I had to grind a smidgen off the pins on mine.

motorson · May 30, 2012

I had a fastback in high school. ('76-'77) The master link wore all the way through until the clip was gone! Fortunatly I found the problem before I threw a chain. I have also bought several sets of clutch/chain covers and they are all worn where the master link comes by.

donmeek · Jun 2, 2012

went and looked at some of my old chains. The original chain on my mk111 had an indented side plate on the master link so the overall width was the same as the rest of the links. The new ones don't.

Master link rubbing

drones76

DogT

rx7171

1up3down

drones76

1up3down

YING

Pittsboro,NC

drones76

maylar

motorson

donmeek

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