chain line with single sided swingarm

i've just limped home on my 94 blade with vfr750 back end after it pulling the teeth off the rear sprocket while out.

i've been due a new chain and set of sprockets for a while now, but have been sorting out other things.

thing is - apart from being worn, the chain has been wearing a groove on the outside edge of the rear sprocket about 5-10mm. so i guess the chain line between the front sprocket and the rear sprocket is out by this much.. is there a way of sorting this? i was wondering if the easiest way would be to offset the front sprocket out from the engine by packing it somehow. how feasible does this sound? has anyone else ever had this problem with their vfr swingarm conversion?

or should i just get used to eating sprockets?

here is some pics of the sprocket. please ignore the horrible chain! it was like that when i bought the bike so am glad it's finally worn out!

i know that when you do the conversion you have to have a certain sized spacer made for the right side? could be the wrong size spacers in there?
if you search on google for swingarm conversion there are a few how too guides that you could compare your spacers to. other than that i dont think im gonna be much help mate.

i never did the conversion, it was already done when i bought it. i had a look before though and there seems no way to move the swingarm from side to side unless i'm missing something. just trying to get an idea of what i could do to try and stop it. i can live with it if it's going to be a big job, i'll just buy aluminium rear sprockets and let that be the sacrificial element and get used to changing it more often

Could be two things, spacer on swingarm spindle is normally 25mm wide, 25mm o/d, 20mm i/d or wheel is not centred on shaft and hence sprocket not aligned. Outside face of front sprocket should align with outside face of rear, there should be a bit of side play if you slide chain links side to side on sprockets. Align rear using spacers or front using an old sprocket centre, machined and welded to new one!

sorry to be thick, but i don't know what you mean mega..

here's some pics i've took of where the swingarm connects. what is the spacer that you mean?

I think your missing a standard bush from the sprocket side of the swingarm,where it mounts on the swingarm spindle.It should line up and not require any spacers on the left to be made up.

number 9 on this fichehttp://www.ronayers.com/Fiche/TypeID/26/Type/SWINGARM/MakeID/1/Make/Honda/YearID/34/Year/1993/ModelID/6697/Model/VFR750F/GroupID/283743/Group/SWINGARM

wow - that looks a simple fix, thanks! i'll source that bush from somewhere and i can change it at the same time as my chain and sprockets

thanks cove, mega, and dan

Any time mate!

i would take it apart and just check with the diagram first to see what your missing, i wouldnt wanna be ordering anything for no reason.

although i think cove is right btw

cove, if that collar is missing wouldnt the swingarm move about? cause that collar sits inbetween the needle roller bearing and the spindle doesnt it?

I think it sits between the chassis and the face of the bearing, i should really check but really need to get an abba stand, its not fun trying to balance the blade on axle stands and rearsets

Yeah, the bigger diam collar fits against the frame and the smaller diam fits inside the bearing seal.

thanks lads! i managed to remove the rear swingarm over the weekend and i found that everything seemed to be there that should be there. so i measured the worn part of the rear sprocket and fitted washers to shift the swingarm over the same distance. there already was a washer there, so i added two more to the same thickness as the wear i measured. this meant i had to adjust the castellated nut on the other side of the pivot to the same amount (3 mm) to allow the washers to fit.

the chainline now looks pretty well lined up when i lay my old knackered chain on it. i've ordered new chain and sprockets so the big test will be when i put some tension on it. i've gone for -1 on the front and +2 on the back so looking forward to trying it out. i had that set up on my old R6 and it transformed the bike, so am hoping it'll be good. will post up after i've fitted it and tested it..

here's some pics in case it's any help to anyone else..

the loose swingarm floating.. here's where i put in the washers



measuring the wear on the sprocket



washers about the same



the threaded bush on the other side of the pivot



adjusting the castellated nut to the same distance



the old chain lying flat on the two sprockets to check it's lined up



i hope this has sorted it and if it has, maybe it'll help someone else with the same problem

Start by checking the rear wheel is in alignment with the front and in the centre of the frame. When you fit the new C&S, use a straight edge to check the sprocket alignment. Also check that there is a small amount of movement on both sides of the chain. Good pix and write up mate, hope it comes together OK for ya!

cheers mate. will do!

all seems lined up so put it together and went for a squirt round the block and the power feels quite brutal now with the new sprockets. i suppose it doesn't compare with the latest weapons with 180bhp etc, but my arms don't notice that when i'm riding it. i like these old blades

Nice one mate. Got any more pix and a video???