Topic: Some final-drive questions

[jkot55]

I have a few questions regarding the chain and sprockets on my 75 CB750K.  I noticed a surge(not sure how else to describe it) while riding.  The frequency did not follow engine speed or wheel rotation.  So, I put it on the center stand when I got home and noticed that the chain was a bit loose.  According to my shop manual it says 1/2 inch of play in center of chain so I adjusted it to that spec.  (please correct me on that if I am wrong).  After adjusting it I rotated the wheel and it went from 1/2-inch play to taught and back to 1/2-inch.  As I did this I checked to see if it followed with the rotation of either the front or rear sprockets by marking a reference point on the sprockets and it did not.  I am thinking that the chain has just stretched unevenly over the years.  I just got the bike at the end of the season last year so I have no history on it.  Does it sound to you like a new chain ought to fix this problem?  What kind of chain should I get?  Are these things standard and easy to find?

Sorry to ask all these questions but I have been riding goldwings for many years and it's been a long time since I have had to deal with chains.

Thank you

[jkot55]

O.K.  a little googling and I see that the chain is a 530 x 100.  I can get an o-ring chain for about 50 bucks.  Hopefully that will solve the problem. 

The shop manual version that I have is poorly written.  How do you guys adjust the chains on your bike?  Not the process, I understand that but the amount of play.  What happens as the suspention compresses?  does the play in the chain change?  Tighter or looser?

Thanks

[Johnie]

Keep in mind it is wise to change the sprockets when you put on a new chain.  I like the O-ring myself and have then on all my bikes.  As far as how to tighten the chain, sounds like you could benefit from getting a service manual.  There are some on this site on line you can download.  It will answer all your questions.  Plus, you will get the satisfaction knowing it is done right.  Let us know how you come out.  Try this too: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=372.0

[jkot55]

Thanks for the advice but regarding the service manual, where did you find a good one?  I have an original service manual (so the seller said) and have also downloaded it from pdf's as well.  It is very poorly written.  Fortunately, the adjustments for the chain are very simple.  I got the 1/2 inch spec from the manual.  When I bought my goldwing in 1997 I also got the service manual for it.  It is a great manual.  However, in 1975 they did not seem to know how to present technical material in english.  Anyway, I got another idea from the dealer.  They seem to think it could be the rubber dampeners in the hub are worn, and probably unevenly.  I am going to take a closer look at the rear wheel tonight and see what the condition of those are (if they exist at all, maybe not all models have them) and probably see about replacing them.   Are the sprockets hard to find?  What should I expect to pay?

[Duke McDukiedook]

Sprockets are fairly easy to find. Z1 enterprises has them fairly cheap, I think about $20-30 a piece for stock teeth (other places will have them too). Could be the dampeners, doesn't sound likely. When my chain was about to give up the ghost it got kinda like what you are describing, change the chain and the sprockets.

[jkot55]

You guys are right.   Chain and sprocket(s)?  Both?  Anyway, got to thinking about what the dealer said regarding the hub dampeners.  I looked it up in my service manual and while I can understand that over the years the rubber breaks down but in no way does it look like it can change the rotation of the wheel to act off-center.  I would suspect that there would be backlash or play in the direction of rotation but should not affect the chain tension.  Just my opinion.

20 or 30 dollars for a sprocket does not sound bad.  Thanks for all the info.  I hope that after gaining some experience with this bike I can contribute here.

JK