I have an eton 90 (2004) and the chain becoming loose is a big pain in the butt, I have gone through 3 chain adjusters, the reason being that when I go to adjust it, it keeps snapping. Should I goto a better chain where it won't stretch as bad? Any help would be great[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

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Welcome to this forum. From "day 1", I've been very disappointed in the stock on on our '03 Pred-90. Every 3rd trail ride, I too had to tighten its chain. After much research and saving my limited pennies, I installed a Spring Loaded tensioner on our Pred-90. Since then, we set the chain tension in the spring and in the fall. Twice a year compared to AFTER every 3 trail rides. If wondering, I've been told the '04 & 05 Pred-90s now come factory with Chain Tensioners. If I remember correctly, the E-Ton doesn't come with a Spring Loaded tensioner. I've seen previous posts of some E-Ton 90 owners installing "spring tensioners" with great success. Custom made tensioners or they purchase HPD part and "made it fit". Some even replace their factory chain with HD (Heavy Duty) chain. Thus, helping reduce chain stretching even more.

For details on our Spring Loaded tensioner and chain replacement (with tuned sprockets for our riding conditions) surf:

http://community.webshots.com/album/108721500mjHKZk

http://community.webshots.com/album/284402100NAfkOS

Note: Pred-90 is 428 chain. If I remember correctly, E-Ton 90 is a 520 "size" chain.


Perhaps these same upgrades could be applied to your E-Ton as well??? Might be the answers to your situation....


Hope this helps...

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Make sure when you adjust the chain you loosen the swingarm bolts that hold the axle housing then tighten them back up before riding again if you dont tighten them the tension bolt will break or bend. We run the hetrick racing spring loaded tensioner and it works well.

 

We also have a 04 Viper and had the same problem with the chain stretching. We have never broken the adjuster though. I got a HPD tensioner just like the one Spike has in his pics. It bolts up perfectly on the Viper and if you look at his pics you will have to cut the chain gaurd just like his if you keep it on. I have since replaced our chain with a heavy duty atv chain. Since the Viper uses a 520 chain a good quality chain will last a long time.

 

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Redster,

If you do purchase a spring loaded chain tensioner from HPD Performance Inc ( http://www.hpd-inc.com/misc.htm ), do call them to verify the Part number. Early last year, they changed their online part numbers and when the receiver tried to fit the received tensioner on their mini, it frustrated a few folks. Do call and verify "proper fitting" before ordering...

If wondering, I'd install an HPD Chain Tensioner again. Without hesitation...

Hope this helps as well...

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Thanks for all the help guys, I will go with this method.

 

We have 2 Viper 90's and had the same trouble. I broke one adjuster before I realized that there is 4 bolts on the swingarm that needs to be loosened. I finally solve my problem by taking one link out of the chain, and haven't had a problem since.