I can't seem to keep the chain tight on my atv. I 'll tighten it and almost after every ride its loose again. I set the chain to what the book calls for tighten everything back up but it always loosens up. Is there a secret to keeping the chain tight or is this common.

 

How old is the chain?
Is it seating properly in the sprockets? Do the sprockets show signs of wear? Is the cotter pin in the castle nut? (if that is what is used)

I am just leaning towards the chain stretching some... it happened on my CR250 dirt bike.

edit: you don't want the chain too tight as that will definately stretch it and possibly cause some damage to the bearings/gear casing. There is (on motorcycles) a certain ammount of slack required with the machine at rest with no passenger.

 

I'm guessing its the original chain. It seems to seat good and the front sproket might show a little wear. As for the cotter pin and castle nut I have no idea what your refering to.

 

I don't think the chain is stretching so much you have to tighten it every time it's ridden. Are you getting the eccentric clamps tight? On mine if I tighten to the factory specs, the housing will spin in the clamp, I marked the clamp and housing with a marker, an hour ride and it had loosened!! I had nothing but chain issues until I cranked the eccentric clamps down TIGHT.

 

well on my bike s the tire is held in place in relation to the swingarm via the axle. The axle is secured witht he castle nut. It is the nut on the axle that has some slots into it that will line up with a hole drilled in the axle. You put a cotter pin into this to secure it.

There is a good chance the chain is stretched, or the axle is not securely mounted to the swingarm.

If you replace the chain it is often advisable to replace both sprockets at the same time.

 

There shouldn't be any cotters or castle nuts...The rear housing is held by 2 eccentric clamps and bolts/nuts. Mine calls for 60lbs. of torque, at 60 it would spin in the eccentric clamp. The last time I tightened the chain I cranked down to 80 lbss and it resolved my issues.

 

The chain on my Scrambler kept coming loose the first couple times I rode it. I cranked the eccentric bolts down good and tight and haven't had a problem since.

 

One more question about tightening the chain. I've had people tell me to have someone sit on the quad and then tighten it. Does this make a difference or should I just do it without anybody on it.

 

as you sit on the quad you work the suspension which will tighten the chain. there is a certain ammount of slack required in the chain to absorb the action of the suspension.... at least this is how it works on motorcycles.

 

On the older non concentrics you needed to load the suspension but on 99-up chain drives you just tighten up with no extra weight on it.
On you chain issue check your axle bearing to see if they are bad.then inspect the sprockets and if everything is ok put on a new chain.