HELP! I have my Rupp Bandit, from when I was 10, and now restored it so my grand kids can learn to ride. All is working well until the chain pops off the large rear sprocket ever 5 mins or so, and becomes wedged between the sprocket and the rear frame 'bar', there is maybe 12 inch clearance between the sprocket and the bar, the chain always drops down in that 12 space, every time it comes off! Getting the chain out of there requires great effort , strength, and also contorting of both the chain, and my hands!
Keep in mind, as you read t is and picture this mini bike, that The Bandit has no suspension system, it is a ridged frame.
I have viewed the chain from the rear tire position, sighted down to the centrifugal clutch sprocket, and chain looks to be straight in line. I used a straight edge and lined up the sprockets, still the chain will pop off after a 5 mins of riding. So, after I reinstall the chain to the sprockets, I sight down the chain again, I rotate the rear tire through full revolutions.
The only problem I can see is there is one place where the chain may be 'kinked', or 'bent', for it appears to wobble left to right, at one place in the chain, as the chain travels to the small engine sprocket. Could this cause the frequent derailments? Can you tell me a means to straighten out this section of chain?....aka... would it be ok to bang it with a hammer against a anvil, or something?
Also know, I rigged up a pivoting chain tension-er, that has a small sprocket, the pivoting point comes from the only mounting bolt, and that I also suspended this tension-er from the frame, by means of a med duty spring. This pulls the chain up slightly, near the rear sprocket, and has helped to prolong the time between derailments, to maybe 10 mins..maybe.
DO I need a new chain to correct this? trouble is, that as soon as that new chain comes off, and wedges itself between the sprocket and the frame, I am back to probably having yet another chain with a bend or wobble.
I'm running a No#35 chain, so is this the correct size? It appears to fit the sprockets well. but then again it could be wrong size?
What brand of replacement chain links do you guys use for Rupp bikes?
I'm fresh out of ideas and solutions and thus why I am posting these Qs. to all of you. Help!
Keep in mind, as you read t is and picture this mini bike, that The Bandit has no suspension system, it is a ridged frame.
I have viewed the chain from the rear tire position, sighted down to the centrifugal clutch sprocket, and chain looks to be straight in line. I used a straight edge and lined up the sprockets, still the chain will pop off after a 5 mins of riding. So, after I reinstall the chain to the sprockets, I sight down the chain again, I rotate the rear tire through full revolutions.
The only problem I can see is there is one place where the chain may be 'kinked', or 'bent', for it appears to wobble left to right, at one place in the chain, as the chain travels to the small engine sprocket. Could this cause the frequent derailments? Can you tell me a means to straighten out this section of chain?....aka... would it be ok to bang it with a hammer against a anvil, or something?
Also know, I rigged up a pivoting chain tension-er, that has a small sprocket, the pivoting point comes from the only mounting bolt, and that I also suspended this tension-er from the frame, by means of a med duty spring. This pulls the chain up slightly, near the rear sprocket, and has helped to prolong the time between derailments, to maybe 10 mins..maybe.
DO I need a new chain to correct this? trouble is, that as soon as that new chain comes off, and wedges itself between the sprocket and the frame, I am back to probably having yet another chain with a bend or wobble.
I'm running a No#35 chain, so is this the correct size? It appears to fit the sprockets well. but then again it could be wrong size?
What brand of replacement chain links do you guys use for Rupp bikes?
I'm fresh out of ideas and solutions and thus why I am posting these Qs. to all of you. Help!