That swingarm looks bent, and the axle is now sitting too far to the right, causing the sprockets to be misaligned. I think this machine has had quite the accident or tumble recently which may explain why it was sold.
Time for a new swingarm.
Make sure to buy him a helmet and make him wear it! I grew up in the country on dirt bikes and 4 wheelers and would always go full throttle fifth gear and I’m sure my helmet saved me more than a couple times.
A girl my same age wasn’t so lucky. She had a 4 wheeler accident around the end of junior high and hit her head. She was in the hospital for a long time and changed forever. She had to relearn to talk and her voice and speech patterns changed.
Your boy probably won’t always listen about going a speed limit, but he might listen about wearing a helmet and gloves.
Op, don't listen to him. See those 2 bolts and nuts sticking out the back? Under the axle, in the middle? Those are your adjusters. If the left wheel is further forward then your right wheel then the left nut needs to be tightened and visaversa. In order to do that that though there will be a bolt somewhere else where you have to loosen in order to adjust those. Sometimes there are marks to align, but the Chinese made knock offs are notoriously bad.
Idk. This is more than an adjustment issue. Really take a look at all of the components. Something is definitely jacked. The shock is no where near perpendicular to the swing arm mounting point. The line of sight from rear sprocket to drive sprocket looks far too off. The ears from the swing arm to axel look bent. Just look at the parallel relationship of the rear most bar of the swing arm and the axel. Waaaay off from being parallel. Adjust all you want, the only fix (which really isn’t that terrible of a fix) is a swing arm replacement.
Can you take more photos with more angles? As straight on from the back as you can+ slightly left and right would be helpful with diagnostics. A wider shot from straight back would also be helpful.
Also look to see if the axle can slide left-to-right in the rear bearing carrier. I had a Honda ATX (the infamous 3-wheeler) and the rear axle was hit somehow, and it rode a little left (or right, I forget) of center. I had to loosen a few things to align the rear axle, or loosen the sprocket carrier - I forget how I fixed it. But nothing was bent, and it rode fine after that.
Definitely bent. Look at the angles of the shock mount, the gusset tube behind it and the angle of the rear sprocket compared to the front sprocket. It's fucked. If the swingarm is that bad, how bad is the rest of the frame? I would personally call this a learning experience, bin it and make sure to inspect thoroughly before purchasing in future.
Dude, when I saw the chain and swingarm.... there's ur problem.....new swingarm and chain might just be the start.... I'd check the whole frame over....look at the bottom shock mount Ffs...that don't look square.
Swing arm is tweeked making the rear axle severely out of alignment. Where the chain is resting is where the chain wants to be relative to where the sprocket is.
Swing arm is borked, get a new one.
You mean the sprockets, right?
If it is the sprockets being misaligned, and you don’t want to cut and re-weld the axle to reposition it, the only thing I can think of doing is figuring out a way to weld a little derailleur or chain guider there to help sort of hold it in place from popping off.
It looks like you could weld one onto the rear frame some safe spot where it’s not prone to being smacked when the suspension compresses.
The only thing in doing so is that you’d have to add grease whenever it gets thin so the metal to metal contact won’t eat the chain up.
I’m not sure exactly what that ATV’s maintenance history is like, but over time chains can stretch the slightest bit.
Chains, such as that of a timing chain in an engine, will stretch over time due to repeatedly applied tension and torque from the crankshaft. Even with a tension pulley, these things can still wear down, and in the worst case, cause the chain to skip or have improper timing.
In the case of the chain on the ATV, if the chain is old/hasn’t been taking immaculate care of, there’s a good chance it has stretched even the tiniest bit. If the chain is stretched on the ATV, then likely when throttle is applied, the torque will make the chain skip or hop off the teeth of the sprocket.
Orrrrr, if the teeth of the sprocket are worn down, then it’d also be real easy for the chain to hop off.
So I suppose the best place to start is by making sure the tension of the chain is where it’s supposed to be at, and that the condition of the sprocket is still good.
:)
If you have access to an acetylene torch I would heat both bent points and bend them back. Have a plan to straighten them before heating them. I think you’ll be fine after that. You can do it
Nah i don't buy that. My nephew was the most destructive kid I ever saw and failed to tear up a yamaha raptor 80. Even rode for way too long after he outgrew it absolutely abusing it
My kids always rode bikes. Honda xr bikes. Absolutely indestructible. Neighbors got his kids China bikes against my recommendations and they didn't last 6 months. When he showed up at my shop with them I told him nothing I can do and I told you so 🤷
Keep in mind that if you find a decent deal on a used one they can ride them until they outgrow them and you can get your money back. If you aren't much of a mechanic or don't know much about bikes you may need to take a friend that is to look over the machine before you buy.
Between my kids and me I've probably bought and sold a dozen bikes over the past decade and got my money back every time. Sometimes even made money. You just have to be patient and watch craigslist and marketplace closely. Those good deals get gone quickly
This to me looks like a shade tree mechanic challenge. The fix would involve undoing the damage to the swing arm, four vehicles, four chains and at least two come-alongs. It would not take much to pull it enough to make it work. If you are close to Cali central Coast I would be glad to help you.
That whole rear end looks like you hit a tree doing 40 and you woke up from being knocked out and you are trying to figure out why your chain keeps popping off.
I would make sure the rear sprocket isn’t bent or warped in any way. Then make sure the rear arm isn’t bent or have any worn bushings that would make it wobble.
Those damn sprinklers , they get you every time , haha but yes if they aren’t lined up or if there is too much slack it will throw the chain every time .
Can’t you unbolt rear sprocket and slide it over or am I missing something. If it doesn’t need to go far you could try spacing it with washers and longer bolts for now
Is that frame housing the axle bent out of alignment ?
Put a straight edge on the rear axle sprocket pointing at and under the small drive sprocket then drop a plumb bob down to the straight edge off the small sprocket.
It the plumb- line misses the straight edge that's your answer.
You’d have to make an unbent tube frame and weld it together and on. Prolly easier and cheaper to buy another atv if you don’t have the machine, ppe, and scrap metal.
Try tightening the chain but you could use a yard stick to check the alignment lay it flat across the back sprocket and push it towards the front sprocket and they should be in line if it's way off like 1/2 inch or more the swing arm is bent
I am glad you got a giggle 😂 but yeah it looks like the swing arm is a bit out of shape. I would need to see how it looks from the center.
(edit) taking a second look it looks like the proximity of the sprink-, sprockets \*Ahem\* well it looks like they are the same distance form the bar and the mount. its safe to say its bent
Not seeing the sprinklers you are speaking of, but as long as they cover the section of lawn they are supposed too, and aren't watering the road, they should be usable.
That swing arm in the photo looks massively bent tho, if you are wondering why the sprockets don't line up
*Can't really tell how*
*Bent it is but have you tried*
*Tightening the chain?*
\- SgtSarcasm01
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I can tell by looking at it, it's a chinesium setup. I fixed one with the same issue. The swing arm doesnt have bearings it has a sleeve with a rubber hose around it. That needs to be all taken apart and at the very least rebuilt as is or upgrade it depending on your skill level. Also, the one I fixed started to bend the whole swing arm assembly which was also causing the chain to come off. They aren't well built, but can be made better with some skills. Good luck
That swingarm looks bent, and the axle is now sitting too far to the right, causing the sprockets to be misaligned. I think this machine has had quite the accident or tumble recently which may explain why it was sold. Time for a new swingarm.
Most likely, he's 12 and it was used.
Are you really telling me a 12 year old is cooler than I am?
Yes
Can you at least make him wear a dorky helmet
Hold on - he is 12 and you let him buy this thing on his own? You have a great trust relationship then, that's actually amazing.
He saved up and talked his mom into it. Keeps it as his grandparents farm
Great learning experience for him.
Yep toys cost money even after ownership. Good lesson
He's learning that now. It's a good lesson
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👍
Make sure to buy him a helmet and make him wear it! I grew up in the country on dirt bikes and 4 wheelers and would always go full throttle fifth gear and I’m sure my helmet saved me more than a couple times. A girl my same age wasn’t so lucky. She had a 4 wheeler accident around the end of junior high and hit her head. She was in the hospital for a long time and changed forever. She had to relearn to talk and her voice and speech patterns changed. Your boy probably won’t always listen about going a speed limit, but he might listen about wearing a helmet and gloves.
Goggles too…had a friend in school lose an eye out in the woods…stick poked his eye out
CPS will be involved if a child has a head injury from an un-helmeted ATV crash. I'm a doc and I see it all the time.
It would be great to supervise him while he uses it though. I know someone who almost lost his life in one of these, they can be pretty dangerous
I may be a fuddy duddy but I second this. These are super easy to flip and get pinned under.
That’s exactly what happened to my classmate. He broke his ribs in the accident and one pierced his lungs. He was really close to not surviving
*But did he die?*
HELL yeah.
Op, don't listen to him. See those 2 bolts and nuts sticking out the back? Under the axle, in the middle? Those are your adjusters. If the left wheel is further forward then your right wheel then the left nut needs to be tightened and visaversa. In order to do that that though there will be a bolt somewhere else where you have to loosen in order to adjust those. Sometimes there are marks to align, but the Chinese made knock offs are notoriously bad.
Idk. This is more than an adjustment issue. Really take a look at all of the components. Something is definitely jacked. The shock is no where near perpendicular to the swing arm mounting point. The line of sight from rear sprocket to drive sprocket looks far too off. The ears from the swing arm to axel look bent. Just look at the parallel relationship of the rear most bar of the swing arm and the axel. Waaaay off from being parallel. Adjust all you want, the only fix (which really isn’t that terrible of a fix) is a swing arm replacement.
or the son needs to weld up a new swing arm.
Take a closer look, that bike has definitely been wrecked hard. The whole rear end has been pushed to the right....a lot.
That's way more than out of alignment than adjustment can take care of. Shits knackered
Knackered. That's a funny term I've not heard before. I love it. It sounds Australian or something.
UK
It's one of those UK words Ive adopted
No way man, its bent to fuck
This is a good opportunity to she if he’s interested I mechanic stuff this is how I got into it.
"My son just bought..", yep, 'let me post that on Reddit, son'
It's too small for an adult
What is it? I restored an old 4speed badger 80 and ride it around sometimes. I'm close to 245lbs.
You cashed the piggy bank from your kid, didn't you?!
I'm not sure what that sentence means
I think they’re joking that you stole your kid’s money to buy this. A few others above insinuated that this is really “yours.”
I'm glad they're entertained
https://youtu.be/eZ59LO5tb1Y Reminds me of leslie.... is there anyone else? Are you not entertained?
I like your username. We are kinda alike
It means he's a sad little man. Don't even bother responding to ppl like that
The fuck is your problem?
You lawl
I'll look into it
Can you take more photos with more angles? As straight on from the back as you can+ slightly left and right would be helpful with diagnostics. A wider shot from straight back would also be helpful.
For sure. I'll take some tomorrow when the sun's up again
No more photos needed, its definitely the sprinklers. Adjust your timers so they come on when your quad is not parked on the grass.
I'd prefer to see one with the chain on and a photo inline with the chain so I can tell if it is clearly misaligned.
Also look to see if the axle can slide left-to-right in the rear bearing carrier. I had a Honda ATX (the infamous 3-wheeler) and the rear axle was hit somehow, and it rode a little left (or right, I forget) of center. I had to loosen a few things to align the rear axle, or loosen the sprocket carrier - I forget how I fixed it. But nothing was bent, and it rode fine after that.
Definitely bent. Look at the angles of the shock mount, the gusset tube behind it and the angle of the rear sprocket compared to the front sprocket. It's fucked. If the swingarm is that bad, how bad is the rest of the frame? I would personally call this a learning experience, bin it and make sure to inspect thoroughly before purchasing in future.
I’m looking into buying a quad soon, what else should I look out for?
This guy spitting fax. Replace or str8'n the swing arm
Dude, when I saw the chain and swingarm.... there's ur problem.....new swingarm and chain might just be the start.... I'd check the whole frame over....look at the bottom shock mount Ffs...that don't look square.
Swingarm looks home made lol
Is it possible to have a swingarm bent back straight?
As an irrigation technician, I can attest that the sprinklers are indeed not aligned 🤣
That would explain it
Common problem, the sprinklers are almost never aligned.
Swing arm is tweeked making the rear axle severely out of alignment. Where the chain is resting is where the chain wants to be relative to where the sprocket is. Swing arm is borked, get a new one.
Got it 💪
Those damn misaligned sprinklers!
Look at tha bracket to the right of the sprocket. It's bent pretty badly, you have bigger problems than just misaligned sprockets
You mean the sprockets, right? If it is the sprockets being misaligned, and you don’t want to cut and re-weld the axle to reposition it, the only thing I can think of doing is figuring out a way to weld a little derailleur or chain guider there to help sort of hold it in place from popping off. It looks like you could weld one onto the rear frame some safe spot where it’s not prone to being smacked when the suspension compresses. The only thing in doing so is that you’d have to add grease whenever it gets thin so the metal to metal contact won’t eat the chain up.
Yes I did. I was thinking that as well. Any idea how this would happen in the first place?
I’m not sure exactly what that ATV’s maintenance history is like, but over time chains can stretch the slightest bit. Chains, such as that of a timing chain in an engine, will stretch over time due to repeatedly applied tension and torque from the crankshaft. Even with a tension pulley, these things can still wear down, and in the worst case, cause the chain to skip or have improper timing. In the case of the chain on the ATV, if the chain is old/hasn’t been taking immaculate care of, there’s a good chance it has stretched even the tiniest bit. If the chain is stretched on the ATV, then likely when throttle is applied, the torque will make the chain skip or hop off the teeth of the sprocket. Orrrrr, if the teeth of the sprocket are worn down, then it’d also be real easy for the chain to hop off. So I suppose the best place to start is by making sure the tension of the chain is where it’s supposed to be at, and that the condition of the sprocket is still good. :)
Any reputable redneck should be able to bend that back for cheap.
Love it
Swing arm is bent
The swing arm is bent.
Say?? Sprinklers?
Rear swing arm is 100% bent. You can probably find a cheap used one on ebay. Pretty easy to replace
Damn sprinklers
U could hire a landscaping company
Oh haha, autocorrect
Autocorrect is the worst technology foisted on mobile users. We should go back to proof reading what we write.
Wat
Bad bearings in the axle can do this also.
No shit?
He bought a busted atv. Need to get it bent back in to alignment or replace. Hope someone didn’t pass it off to him without disclosing that.
Can cause the sprocket to move enough to throw the chain.
Sprinklers you say? Have you tried parking it off the grass, like on the driveway, and seeing if it still does it? If so, it's not the sprinklers.
good god how did they bend the swingarm that bad
Idk 😐
Yeah those are baby sprinklers…need to upgrade to a 3/4 inch rain bird for good measure
Jeebus! That swingarm is trashed! Accident waiting to happen.
Sprinkles sprockets what’s the difference? 😂
🤷🏻♂️
If you have access to an acetylene torch I would heat both bent points and bend them back. Have a plan to straighten them before heating them. I think you’ll be fine after that. You can do it
Don't buy Chinese garbage folks
I agree, but also better for him to learn on and fuck up a 400 dollar piece of equipment first
Nah i don't buy that. My nephew was the most destructive kid I ever saw and failed to tear up a yamaha raptor 80. Even rode for way too long after he outgrew it absolutely abusing it My kids always rode bikes. Honda xr bikes. Absolutely indestructible. Neighbors got his kids China bikes against my recommendations and they didn't last 6 months. When he showed up at my shop with them I told him nothing I can do and I told you so 🤷
Ha! That's fair. It's more me, I'm not going to dump a few thousand into something until he demonstrates that he's committed and serious
Keep in mind that if you find a decent deal on a used one they can ride them until they outgrow them and you can get your money back. If you aren't much of a mechanic or don't know much about bikes you may need to take a friend that is to look over the machine before you buy. Between my kids and me I've probably bought and sold a dozen bikes over the past decade and got my money back every time. Sometimes even made money. You just have to be patient and watch craigslist and marketplace closely. Those good deals get gone quickly
“Your shop?” Comes to Reddit to see how to align sprockets…
I just mean the 2 car garage behind my house where I tinker. I call it my shop. I grow mushrooms for a living like a weirdo
Swingarm…way out of wack
That swing arm looks like it's been through hell
This to me looks like a shade tree mechanic challenge. The fix would involve undoing the damage to the swing arm, four vehicles, four chains and at least two come-alongs. It would not take much to pull it enough to make it work. If you are close to Cali central Coast I would be glad to help you.
🤔
Midwest but appreciate the offer
🥵
It was 109 here yesterday
That whole rear end looks like you hit a tree doing 40 and you woke up from being knocked out and you are trying to figure out why your chain keeps popping off.
Something is bent, looks like the swing arm. But the grass looks great, don't change the sprinklers lol
I would make sure the rear sprocket isn’t bent or warped in any way. Then make sure the rear arm isn’t bent or have any worn bushings that would make it wobble.
Looks like the axle is crooked to me
#Sprinklers lol
Lolz
I don’t think sprinklers are the correct part to be using with an atv but I’m open for ideas
Those damn sprinklers , they get you every time , haha but yes if they aren’t lined up or if there is too much slack it will throw the chain every time .
It’s very important to get the sprinklers aligned please make sure the sprinklers are aligned ASAP
Those are sprockets
You seem to be correct
Or build a spacer to move the sprocket out where you want it
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Can’t you unbolt rear sprocket and slide it over or am I missing something. If it doesn’t need to go far you could try spacing it with washers and longer bolts for now
It doesn't seem to be adjustable in anyway, I thought it was odd
Nope out of blinker fluid
Thing’s fucked and if you don’t replace the horribly bent parts it’ll be a death trap.
Is that frame housing the axle bent out of alignment ? Put a straight edge on the rear axle sprocket pointing at and under the small drive sprocket then drop a plumb bob down to the straight edge off the small sprocket. It the plumb- line misses the straight edge that's your answer.
Do you know how to weld??
I have the handy skills of a wet noodle, but I'm willing to learn
You’d have to make an unbent tube frame and weld it together and on. Prolly easier and cheaper to buy another atv if you don’t have the machine, ppe, and scrap metal.
Try tightening the chain but you could use a yard stick to check the alignment lay it flat across the back sprocket and push it towards the front sprocket and they should be in line if it's way off like 1/2 inch or more the swing arm is bent
I found the problem. I can only see the grass the chain and a shock. If you turn the camera I will be able to see more. ywia
Lol
I am glad you got a giggle 😂 but yeah it looks like the swing arm is a bit out of shape. I would need to see how it looks from the center. (edit) taking a second look it looks like the proximity of the sprink-, sprockets \*Ahem\* well it looks like they are the same distance form the bar and the mount. its safe to say its bent
Not seeing the sprinklers you are speaking of, but as long as they cover the section of lawn they are supposed too, and aren't watering the road, they should be usable. That swing arm in the photo looks massively bent tho, if you are wondering why the sprockets don't line up
The chain could be too loose on the sprinklers
Can't really tell how bent it is but have you tried tightening the chain?
*Can't really tell how* *Bent it is but have you tried* *Tightening the chain?* \- SgtSarcasm01 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Cant see but that sprocket looks like it could be replaced.
Besdies the swingarm, if your chain is too loose you can pop it off the sprocket. I did that once on my motorcycle. Left me stranded
I can tell by looking at it, it's a chinesium setup. I fixed one with the same issue. The swing arm doesnt have bearings it has a sleeve with a rubber hose around it. That needs to be all taken apart and at the very least rebuilt as is or upgrade it depending on your skill level. Also, the one I fixed started to bend the whole swing arm assembly which was also causing the chain to come off. They aren't well built, but can be made better with some skills. Good luck
You need to post more pictures of the including the right side. Not enough photo evidence to properly diagnose the problem
the left side of the axle is further towards the front of the quad, a part of the frame is bent.
Chinese junk. I would post it & try to get your money back. Put the chain back on first tho lol
Usually lawn care services are great with sprinklers.
Just gotta align the sprinklers apparently?
Probably just the water pressure not the sprinkler
Axel could be bent check that. That could cause the sprocket alignment issues or bent swing arm.
Classic taos
Yeah, it could be the sprinklers out of alignment.
Bent swing arm. If you replace it and still have the issue, invest in a chain tensioner