Polaris Installed a new chain on my bike in June of 2002. Since then I have had Two masterliks fall out(including the one they installed)and one break in two. I Had one of the loops on the swing arm welded in October after noticing a crack in the top loop(brake caliper side) . I can't figure it out. I changed the swing arm bushings two months ago thinking that a little bit of play would bust a chain. I just installed a new masterlink after one falling out on the trail after 5 mins of riding. The new one lasted 10 minutes and one of the masterlink pins broke in two. I have had chain adjustment checked by at least 3 different Polaris Mechanics after reinstalling each masterlink and they said my chain adjustment was excactly as it should be. I don't understand this damnthing. Its almost 2yrs old and its falling apart just from normal use. I probably will never buy another Polaris as long as I ride ATV's. They come at a cheap price and has a nice ride and comfort, better than most utility ATVs. In my experience not very reliable.

Any of you long time Polaris riders ever Experience this problem with your concentric driven Polaris machines??? Please help, I need to get this thing fixed.

 

Do you over tighten the chain ? Check the bottom chain guard they have been know to get out of wack , Also stand behind your bike and look at the chain does it curve slightley because i think your swingarm is out of ajustment or your gearcase is . just my opinion. As far as concentric drives working mine works the very best but you see there is a trick to them put a little extra slack in the chain and get a spring loaded chain roller because the concentric system works but it gets overwhelmed buy sharp sudden hits and it does not react fast enough that is why you keep the extra slack as a precaution to prove this point go behind your Atv look at the tension in the chain and sharpley push down on the grab bar you will the chain tighten up briefley then go back to normal. this is how people snap the chains and stuff jumping them. But I have never had that problem since I put the extra slack with the roller.

Just my 3 cents

 

I would also check the sprockets, If they are worn to the drive side this could create enough binding to pop the master out. Lift the rear of the bike and roll the wheels to see if the chain gets tight and loose as you turn, this could also be a case of worn sprockets. I have always believed that you should replace the sprockets with the chain. Especially the front one... In your case the chain is new and the sprockets are old, the chain hasn't stretched out yet so they don't match.

 

Sorry guys I forgot to mention that Polaris installed a new front sprocket when they installed the chain because the old chain had chewed all the teeth off the sprocket.

Yes it does curve just a little now that I've checked it. I need to straighten up the swing arm a little. How do I adjust the swingarm to straighten out the little curve in the chain???? Gearcase??? You mean the tranny or the rear end gear case???? If the tranny how fix, i do notice that the front sprocket will slide back and forth just a little on the shaft, Is that normal????

 

I dont want this to sound like a stupid question, but is the master link clip being put on the right way? The open end has to be put on facing the rear. Just a thought.Bubba

 

Yep, it was put on the right way. This last time I became so frustrated that I dabbed a small dot of JBweld on the clip to make sure it didn't pop off. So, it must have gotten pis*ed at me and just broke in two.

 

Alpine2 "Also stand behind your bike and look at the chain does it curve slightley because i think your swingarm is out of ajustment or your gearcase is ."


I believe you hit the nail on the head, give me some tips to get everything realigned properly....Thanks

 

Actually I am not too sure how to adjust it . Seeing how I have never done it ,but I have heard of it being done. but I do not know if it was the swingarm or the gearcase (whatever it is called) that was adjusted to me personally I think you would use spacers. I will check into this and get back to you , Also I would imagine the dealer could do this I could not see it being to big of a job.

Sorry I could not help you out anymore

 

Dont forget, when you start twisting the transmission around you will also change your clutch alignment.

 

Good point Bubba297
I did not even think of that .This is why I like this forum there is always someone there to pick up on the stuff you forget.
So it must be the swingarm that has to be adjusted