Hey there...

Drive chain adjustment on a 2000 TrailBoss .

Reading from an old post, Old Polaris Tech stated...

"Tighten to where you have about 3/8" clearance at center of chain."

I'm adjusting this without the use of a service manual and have figured out the procedure. The only thing is that I need clarification on the measurement.

Is the 3/8 inch of clearance between the top of the swing arm and the bottom of the drooping chain?

I understand that I don't need to bind down the rear susp. on this 2000 TrailBoss. Would this be the same measurement to use on my '95 TrailBlazer if I DO bind down the rear susp. with a ratchet strap?

Thanks

Wrench

 

SOME posters strap down rear suspension and adjust,BUT you end up with a loose setting! Just adjust chain to where there is about3/8-1/2" slack in MIDDLE at top on the chain itself! NOT the distance from swingarm or chainguide! I've gone over this procedure with various Polaris engineers ever since ecentric swing arms were introduced! On the newer models such as yours, swing arm fluctuations on chain slack are LESS than say 94-95 models. Therefore chain slack can and should be about 3/8-1/2" without suspension collapsed! EVEN on the earlier models I adjust the same way! I dont collapse suspensions to adjust chains! Can and will cause too much slack! Loose chains the MAIN reason for transmission case damage from chains jumping sprockets and breaking cases at trans sprocket area. Have seen this TOO many times.

 

OPT...

So if I get this right, I have my chain laying on the top of the swingarm, (I guess it should be hanging in mid air), And place a tape measure in behind it at mid point between trans and rear axle. The top of the chain links are at the 1/2 inch mark. I then pull up on the chain and the top of the links are now at the 2 1/2 inch mark. I'm guessing thats 2 inches of slack and I'm only supposed to have upwards of 1/2 inch of slack.

I'll be fixing that up tomorrow. This bike is new to me and I've only had it out once a couple of weeks ago. At that time, the chain guide broke off due to a bad weld on the small bracket that holds it to the swingarm. I cleaned it up and migged it back on tonight but figured the chain seemed a little sloppy. Guess I was wrong, its a whole lot sloppy.

Just as a second, do I use this same 3/8 to 1/2 inch for the chain on my 1995 TrailBlazer?, And am I measuring propperly (paragraph above)?

Thanks

Wrench

 

YES slack at top of chain between both sprockets,3/8-1/2" freeplay up and down when chain at rest,same on 95 model! JUST look at chain disregard its position to swingarm.