Rear wheel harder to spin; chain seems too tight but is in spec

Vinegar_Bend

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I have a 2015 RC that I just put a chain and sprockets on.

Chain is 112 link RK 520 pitch O ring. Sprockets are stock teeth count (front: 15, back: 45) from Driven Racing.

After putting it on and starting to tighten the chain, I noticed that there was not as much free roll in neutral. The chain was in spec but (at about 0.29/0.3), but still feels way too tight. Took it riding and it slows down a lot quicker and feels tighter when accelerating. Chain was hot but not to the touch when I pulled back into the garage, and I didn't ride more than a quarter of a mile.

I torqued the back axle nut to spec in the shop manual (which is 68 lbs ft).

I feel I may have messed something up in the process of changing the chain and sprockets, but just don't know enough to determine exactly what's the problem.
 

Jeff_Neer

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Just a thought but are all spacers in place?? Everything greased?? I had to get my rear tire changed and when I put mine back together it would barely spin. After looking through the manual I found when they took the sprocket/hub off the bearing/spacer in there had fallen out. I didn't even bother to check when I put it back together (I did not ride it just as an FYI). Something definitely sounds off though....
 

Vinegar_Bend

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Just a thought but are all spacers in place?? Everything greased?? I had to get my rear tire changed and when I put mine back together it would barely spin. After looking through the manual I found when they took the sprocket/hub off the bearing/spacer in there had fallen out. I didn't even bother to check when I put it back together (I did not ride it just as an FYI). Something definitely sounds off though....
Thanks for that.

I went back and adjusted the chain tension to where it was on the looser end of things. Rode fine after that. I had to think back and remember whether or not all those rubber spacers that fell out of the kush drive were put back in proper order. I'm certain that I put them all back in place. Triple checked the torque on the axle nut too just in case and all good in the hood there.

Just a strange happenings alleviated by the slightest of wrenching. Should be all good now.
 

g-force

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Just a thought... I wonder how a tight chain and suspension travel interact. I shudder to think what a bit of bounce at 130Kph does when the chain limits suspension travel... Wouldn't the correct way to check a chain be to use a track stand, a rider and a buddy to measure sag and chain tension. Or maybe adjust it way beyond 'loose' and check sag. Then again suspension travel with another 30 pounds in a back pack...
I am also amazed how off-center the rear sprocket must be to get so many different tensions just by checking every 1/6 of a wheel rotation... In fact I'm gonna post this as a thread.
 
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