Help! Chain rubbing on tire

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by jacksonwalters, Jul 21, 2017.

  1. jacksonwalters

    jacksonwalters New Member

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    I just finished installing new tires (Bridgestone Battlax 160/60-17, 110/70-17) and a new chain (530 x-ring) on my '84 VF500. The previous owner did the CBR600 wheel mod and before was using Metzeler tires. The chain is now rubbing against the tire as there doesn't seem to be enough clearance.

    From left to right on the axle: swingarm, chain adjuster, 10mm spacer, dust seal, vf500 cush-drive, 4.5" wide wheel, 10mm spacer, caliper hanger, 16mm spacer, chain adjuster, swingarm.

    IMG_20170720_100124.jpg IMG_20170721_144243.jpg IMG_20170721_144257.jpg
     
    jacksonwalters, Jul 21, 2017
    #1
  2. fink

    fink Member

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    Is the tyre square in the swingarm? From your first pic the chain looks too long or shot judging by the amount the adjuster is screwed in.
     
    fink, Jul 21, 2017
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  3. jacksonwalters

    jacksonwalters New Member

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    The chain is definitely too long. New master link is on the way so I can go about shortening it. Weird b/c I used the same number of links on this new chain as the old one.

    I completely loosened the adjusters so I could move the tire around in the swingarm. It seems that no matter how I move it, there's no way to get it away from the chain w/o the tire touching the swingarm.
     
    jacksonwalters, Jul 21, 2017
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  4. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    Something is not right.
    Not only is the tyre too close to the chain, it also looks too close to the swingarm on the same side.
    Are your spacers correct? 16mm spacer in the right place?
     
    OZ VFR, Jul 21, 2017
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  5. jacksonwalters

    jacksonwalters New Member

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    Agreed.
    From left to right the spacers are 10mm, 10mm, 16mm. The middle 10mm spacer (between the brake rotors and caliper mount) must be as is, otherwise the caliper mount will not fit. That only leaves switching the outer 10mm & 16mm spacers. I tried this this, and putting the 16mm on the left does not work.

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    jacksonwalters, Jul 21, 2017
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  6. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    Just based on tire sizes, the largest rear tire I heard of someone fitting to a VF500 rear without clearance issues is a 140, maybe, just maybe a 150 if the planets are aligned and you practice safe sex. A 160 is just too big....even if you got it to fit. If I remember correctly, the stock rear is a 110.

    Why do you want such an oversized tire for this bike?
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2017
    derstuka, Jul 21, 2017
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  7. jacksonwalters

    jacksonwalters New Member

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    That's the direction I've been leaning. I knew the wheels had been swapped, but figured I could work with it and just put new tires on. I think the 160 Metzelers the prev. owner put on were *barely* clearing, but these just won't. Yeah the stock rear is 110, front is 100.

    I was looking into getting a smaller rear tire, but after measuring the rim width it's actually 5.5" (and 17" diameter). Would this even be possible?

    In the meantime, I went ahead and ordered a set of stock wheels+tires. This is my first bike and I figure I should keep it simple. Still interested in trying to figure this out though if I don't sell the wheels.

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    jacksonwalters, Jul 21, 2017
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  8. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    You very well might have to step down in rim size.

    In my opinion, your setup is just too big for that bike. Putting a too small of a tire on too large of a rim will flatten its profile and negatively affect handling.

    Lots of additional unsprung weight with your current setup as well.

    http://kawtriple.com/mraxl/tire_rim.htm
     
    derstuka, Jul 21, 2017
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  9. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    I am starting a go fund me page for you, please use the funds to purchase soap of some kind and apply it to said motorcycle.
     
    TOE CUTTER, Jul 21, 2017
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    JimFife777, VFR4Lee, Lint and 1 other person like this.
  10. OZ VFR

    OZ VFR Member

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    :Amen:
     
    OZ VFR, Jul 21, 2017
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  11. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

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    You act like you've never met Reggie, because that's clean compared to his bikes!
     
    derstuka, Jul 21, 2017
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  12. jacksonwalters

    jacksonwalters New Member

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    So it turned out the wheel and tires were just flat out too big for this bike as suggested. I would up ordering the stock wheels and tires and things are much smoother now. If anyone is looking to buy some unused Bridgestone Battlax 160/60ZR and 110/70 tires or 17" CBR wheels lemme know.

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    jacksonwalters, Sep 25, 2017
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