Rear wheel not turning after sprocket and chain job. What to check?

[Guest]

I just replaced the chain and sprockets on my 78 GS1000. Tightened the swing arm to remove the side to side play that was developing. Adjusted the chain with 3/4 inch slack, equal according to the adjuster marks as a starting point, while on the centre stand.

When I went to spin the wheel, it goes one revolution, then stops, as if something is holding it back. Same when I rotate it the other direction. Nothing is obviously binding.It is in neutral.

What is happening? Do I have a tight spot in the new chain?

I will sleep on it and try again tomorrow night. Suggestions are most welcome.

[Steve]

Do I have a tight spot in the new chain?

You would probably have to ask that of someone who could actually be there and wiggle your chain to see if it's too tight.

You know anybody that can be there? YOU!!

.

[posplayr]

You would probably have to ask that of someone who could actually be there and wiggle your chain to see if it's too tight.

You know anybody that can be there? YOU!!

.

LOL

[Suzuki mad]

Go through each step, and check what you did.

Chain and sprockets?
Rear wheel spacers in correctly, rear wheel in line?
Extra noise from new chain?

[steve murdoch]

I agree with Suzuki Mad and check the spacer assembly sequence.
Rear caliper get any attention while the wheel was off?

[tas850g]

Chains have a tight spot in them. Rotate the wheel and every few inches check the tightness of the chain. At some point you will feel the chain be tighter in one spot. That should be your tight spot. Loosen the chain enough so the wheel can rotate thru the tight spot. Tight the chain in that tight spot.

I had to do this on my gsxr. There was a rhythmic feel to the bike/chain area when going down the road. After I readjusted the chain in the tight spot it went away.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[MAC10]

Problem solved, and a new one found

Thanks everyone. Sleeping on it helped, along with a brighter light in my shack of a workshop.
The wheel was prevented from rotating by the forward chainguard bolt which had fallen on to the top of the bottom run of the chain. It would not pass the sprockets in either direction, and stopped the rotation. Duh.

I checked the swing arm, which is as tight as the bolt will go. It has about one eight of an inch side to side play, enough to affect chain tension. What is normal? I last rebuilt it 10 years ago.

How much play is too much? Do I need to replace the bushings, spacers and bearings? Should I ride it as is?

The swing arm has no cracks or deformation visible.

Advice is most welcome

[steve murdoch]

Glad to hear it was something simple with the chain. No damage on the sprocket?
There should be no play at all in the swingarm. It could make for a nice wallow in a corner.
A bearing swap should be all that is required.
Do you ride it hard or put on a lot of miles?
It could be riding for a long time with a bad chain put stress on the swingarm area.

[chuck hahn]

There should also be a big washer under each swing arm cap that goes right against the swing arm itself..are they there? Thats prolly where the play is actually comingf from and NOT the beraings themselves. Swingarm bearings ( unless left dryn form a few riding seasons) very rarely wear out..in my experience. They just wiggle abit up and down and dont get a lot of constant rotational strain on them.