Chain stretch

[glen1971]

I bought mine at Napa in town...

[philipatmaxfour]

chain stretch

That is weird

The tire size has me curious now. I will have to re-measure this weekend to see if I have a similar situation.

Did you find a significant difference in tire circumference?

[cdover73]

Not much difference in tire size. I do have one that is about 3/4" smaller than the rest but it's the Left #3. I don't think that's enough to worry about.

I did notice the #1 drive sprocket is able to move back and forth on the shaft on both the left and right side. I assume this is the way it is supposed to be to allow the sprocket to self-align on the shaft? There is a drilled hole in the sprocket, but I don't know if it's for a grease fitting or a set screw. Regardless, nothing is in the hole. If it is trying to pull from a side load that could possibly be causing stretch. idk...

Can anyone answer how many feet of total chain is needed to replace a full set? I can order both sizes but need to know how much to order. I would prefer buying in bulk on a roll and get the link tool to do all the chains myself.

[philipatmaxfour]

Good news that tire circumferences are so close. You don't mention tracks but that tire would want to be on the front with rubber tracks. Bad news that an axle set screw is missing. it needs to be replaced with red Locktite. I hope that an Argo professional will chime in to assure you that the missing set screw is not normal and make chain recommendations. Good luck .

[cdover73]

No tracks. So, there IS supposed a set screw in those holes? Both front sprockets are the same. Nothing in the holes and the sprockets can move back and forth on the shafts. I figured this was to let them self-center adjust, but if they are supposed to be there then maybe that's my problem...???

[msafi65]

Front sprockets float , no set screws. I prefer tsubaki rs50-2 chain. Good quality at decient price. Argo is using tsubaki and DID brand.

[philipatmaxfour]

Front sprockets float , no set screws. I prefer tsubaki rs50-2 chain. Good quality at decient price. Argo is using tsubaki and DID brand.

thanks msafi65. I was wrong . I did not know that the front axle sprockets had no set screws. Has that been true on all Avengers since 2004?

[cdover73]

So what is the rule of thumb on when to change the front chains? Is it a measurement, 3" like the others per the manual? Or do most people have a reference that tells them it's time, like when they start rubbing the frame/body? I obviously want to get as much life as I can before changing, but I'm unsure about the possibility of creating damage somewhere else like the bearings and seals. Any advice?

Also, I forgot to mention the frame flex I am feeling when I'm riding trails. I can feel the seat shifting like the frame is twisting when going over uneven surfaces. I assume this is normal, but could that be causing excess chain stretch? Maybe adding frame stiffeners would help if that is the case??? Just throwing this out there in case it may be related...

[ARGOJIM]

I would check your set in the open position for excess movement, like if the bolts are loose. The newer seats are not a positive fit like your Conquest was simply 2 small hinges.
Frame flex would be a serious issue with all the stiffeners in the frame and welded belly pan.

Chain replacement could be preference, with front chain being non adjustable it may need changing before the others so that the gear wear isn't accelerated. I look at the amount of sag and when my eye says they need changing, they get changed. Life span is rider/machine specific I believe which may be why such little response, chains can last 100-300 hours (depending on specific chain and usage) with many determining factors the computer screen can't get across.

[cdover73]

That oddly all made sense....lol! But can you clarify a little more on the frame flex? Mine isn't very bad at all. You can barely feel the seat twisting under you when you go over bumps at an angle. The seat is secure. The feeling you get is like you feel your butt moving different than your feet on the floor. I have also felt it standing up so I could see better while trying to get over small logs and stuff. The floor moves separate from the handle bar. Is this something I need to look at immediately? Broken welds, loose bolts, etc??? I did find 12 loose bolts at frame-to-body areas when I first got the machine. All tight now.

I keep asking just in case we find something related that I'm overlooking. If a weld is broken up front letting the frame(and axles) flex more than they should then maybe that could be putting extra strain on the chains. I'm actually very mechanically inclined and have a good idea of what may be happening(people who say that usually don't know what they're talking about...), but I like to hear other's thoughts. Troubleshooting 101...

I plan to roll up my sleeves this weekend and give it a good twice over. I never heard how much chain is needed for a complete change out so I will measure that as well and get some ordered.

[ve1sar]

Hi The sprockets on both sides do not have set screws as they are kept loose to be self-centering.

[grease monkey]

My hdi flexes as well if I'm going over very uneven terrain. I got a friend with a 2011 model and it behaves with the same twisting.

[curtisbyrne]

i know that my argo flexes and you can feel the seat and backrest twist and bend!

[ARGOJIM]

My hdi flexes as well if I'm going over very uneven terrain. I got a friend with a 2011 model and it behaves with the same twisting.

I wonder if what you are feeling is not more of a body flex than a frame twist, the seat is connected to both the outer lower tub and the frame itself which would transfer both feelings.
My older 6T would severely "twist" when in serious terrain like boulder or ditch trails, this machine had minimal cross bracing and no belly pan (removable plywood was laid on ears at frame corners). Every T to HTB I've had apart has had multiple broken welds from this both inside and outside rails.

I would think if an Avenger frame was "twisting" the first thing to break would be the belly pan welds as everything else is much better welded and supported. You could check there first.

Here is a picture of Spookum's machine prior to major beefing, looks to be about stock.


Here is a 2007 Avenger frame, many of the belly pan welds were actually rusted thin or detached, no other weld or frame cracks.

[cdover73]

I think that's how I would describe it. More body twist than frame flex. It's a weird feeling, but it's definitely the seat moving separate from the frame. I have already found loose bolts from the factory so it's probably some hidden ones I just haven't found yet. The welds are good. No sign of stress on the visible ones. I'm sure it's nothing major. Thanks.