drive train clearances needed

R

rijopiatt

New Member

Dec 30, 2009

27

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Indiana

Feb 8, 2012

• #1

1940 Schwinn frame with a Skyhawk motor. See the attachment. This is the only configuration I'm able to come up with. I need the idler wheel as the lower run of the chain would hit the frame (the clearance now is less that 1/4 inch. I'm unable to shorten the chain any more.
The chain is rubbing the tire, so I assume I'll have to get a narrower tire? When I do the chain may then rub the fender (hard to see in the photo, but the fender has already been folded in). What about the distance I have between the upper and lower run of the chain (about an inch)? Is this configuration even going to work and how much slack should there be?

All input appreciated

Rick in Indiana

 

2door

Moderator

Staff member

Sep 15, 2008

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Littleton, Colorado

Feb 8, 2012

• #2

Where's the photo? You didn't attach one.
Tom

 

UriDead

New Member

Nov 21, 2011

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Madison, IN.

Feb 8, 2012

• #3

Yup, need a picture or two Rick. What part of Indiana are you from?

 

R

rijopiatt

New Member

Dec 30, 2009

27

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0

Indiana

Feb 9, 2012

• #4

Ft. Wayne area. OK, I'll try this again.

 

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SlowBalt

Member

Mar 8, 2010

759

6

16

Rhode Island

Feb 9, 2012

• #5

Try cuting 2 links off the chain. Trim the fender to clear.

 

R

rijopiatt

New Member

Dec 30, 2009

27

0

0

Indiana

Feb 10, 2012

• #6

Removing two links will require eliminating the idler wheel, which would be nice. However, without the idler installed the chain hits on the frame due to the frame narrowing progressively going away from the axle.

 

SlowBalt

Member

Mar 8, 2010

759

6

16

Rhode Island

Feb 10, 2012

• #7

You can try spreading the frame slightly by adding a nut to eather side of the axle .

 

headtrama

Member

Jul 8, 2010

886

2

16

california

Feb 10, 2012

• #8

I spread all my Schwinn frames without a problem.

 

wayne z

Active Member

Dec 5, 2010

1,743

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louisiana

Feb 10, 2012

• #9

headtrama said:

I spread all my Schwinn frames without a problem.

Click to expand...

I have had to mount the sprocket dished out and change to 1.195 tires to cure tire rub on 5 different Micargi cruiser builds.

Best frame spreader out there is the Harbor Freight tool for compressing strut springs. Just put it together with the hooks facing out
I secure an all thread bolt in the chainstays first, spread the frame slightly more than I need, then leave the spreader set and pull the dropouts together about 1/2 " with the allthread. This pre stresses the new shape for less springback and keeps the dropouts close to the right distance apart when tension is released .

 

Last edited: Feb 10, 2012

R

rijopiatt

New Member

Dec 30, 2009

27

0

0

Indiana

Feb 11, 2012

• #10

So, it sounds like I'm creating a bow. When I'm finished, I may or may not need the extra washers on the axle, correct? I suppose it's trial and error on the amount to spread?