Chaincase observations.

[slimjim2525]

Sled is 2018 Sidewinder STX-DX. Bought it midseason last year when my Apex had a terminal event. 2,753 miles on it. Brought her home yesterday and tore into the chaincase today to chain the oil, and gear oil, as well as change out the tensioner to one that I had the screw welded. First off, check your tensioner. One of my screws was half way backed out. It was literally a disaster waiting to happen. Put in the new welded one. Do yourself a favor. When putting in the new tensioner and spring, put socket through the tensioner and the through the spring, then use hefty needle nose pliers to torque the spring into place. Made it real easy. Also what I noticed was that the spring provides all the tension on the chain. When I went with the set screw to finger tight, it was the same as the screw already had it. I then backed it out 1.5 turns and the tensioner stayed in place, but was able to loosen the chain to the tensioner set point, as if it was vibrating. It was like the set screw sets the max looseness of the chain. All put back together, so glad I looked into the tensioner screw issue, it was ready to go kaboom.

 

[Renegade XRS 900R]

Sled is 2018 Sidewinder STX-DX. Bought it midseason last year when my Apex had a terminal event. 2,753 miles on it. Brought her home yesterday and tore into the chaincase today to chain the oil, and gear oil, as well as change out the tensioner to one that I had the screw welded. First off, check your tensioner. One of my screws was half way backed out. It was literally a disaster waiting to happen. Put in the new welded one. Do yourself a favor. When putting in the new tensioner and spring, put socket through the tensioner and the through the spring, then use hefty needle nose pliers to torque the spring into place. Made it real easy. Also what I noticed was that the spring provides all the tension on the chain. When I went with the set screw to finger tight, it was the same as the screw already had it. I then backed it out 1.5 turns and the tensioner stayed in place, but was able to loosen the chain to the tensioner set point, as if it was vibrating. It was like the set screw sets the max looseness of the chain. All put back together, so glad I looked into the tensioner screw issue, it was ready to go kaboom.

Great post ! Did you have this tack welded at a local shop,or is this something the dealer could do when I do a track change.I currently have your sleds cousin, a2018 XF 9000 Crosstour

 

[slimjim2525]

I had my brother in law throw a tack weld on both screws. Took 3 minutes. Not sure if your local dealer could do it, I would ask them. What really surprised me was the spring provided all the tension on the chain. The set screw was only there for a back up for lash in the chain.

 

[Renegade XRS 900R]

Did you consider lock tight? Was there a lot of metal shavings and or abnormal wear when you popped the case?My sled has over 3k on it and want to get any issues addressed at track change. Your input is appreciated I am going with a Storm 150 factory picked

 

[Fast]

Sled is 2018 Sidewinder STX-DX. Bought it midseason last year when my Apex had a terminal event. 2,753 miles on it. Brought her home yesterday and tore into the chaincase today to chain the oil, and gear oil, as well as change out the tensioner to one that I had the screw welded. First off, check your tensioner. One of my screws was half way backed out. It was literally a disaster waiting to happen. Put in the new welded one. Do yourself a favor. When putting in the new tensioner and spring, put socket through the tensioner and the through the spring, then use hefty needle nose pliers to torque the spring into place. Made it real easy. Also what I noticed was that the spring provides all the tension on the chain. When I went with the set screw to finger tight, it was the same as the screw already had it. I then backed it out 1.5 turns and the tensioner stayed in place, but was able to loosen the chain to the tensioner set point, as if it was vibrating. It was like the set screw sets the max looseness of the chain. All put back together, so glad I looked into the tensioner screw issue, it was ready to go kaboom.

Did you pull the c-clip on the bottom sprocket and remove everything to inspect or just weld the tensioner?

 

[slimjim2525]

I did not even consider lock tight. IMO that was too risky, and I wanted a permanent solution. I didn't want to keep wondering if it's ok, or tear into the chaincase twice a year. I put on 5k to 7k miles per year, and don't want issues midseason. There was no metal shavings in the chaincase, but found out the bottom gear for the driveshaft is magnetic.

 

[slimjim2525]

Did you pull the c-clip on the bottom sprocket and remove everything to inspect or just weld the tensioner?

I bought a brand new tensioner, and had it welded. Swapped out the one that was in there. Gonna get the old one welded as well, and put it in my buddy's sidewinder. I did not remove any of the sprockets.

 

[ClutchMaster]

I bought a brand new tensioner, and had it welded. Swapped out the one that was in there. Gonna get the old one welded as well, and put it in my buddy's sidewinder. I did not remove any of the sprockets.

You should check the upper gear bushing for wear. Some get worn out quickly others don’t. Might as well pop it off and see if the grey coating is worn through to the brass.

 

[ClutchMaster]

Also overfill your case about 6 oz past the sight glass.

 

[slimjim2525]

I checked the upper gear by hand, and felt no wobble. Is that enough? I put 400cc of gear oil in it. Should I put more?

 

[ClutchMaster]

I checked the upper gear by hand, and felt no wobble. Is that enough? I put 400cc of gear oil in it. Should I put more?

I like to at least do a visual check.
Not sure on the cc’s I just fill to the top of the sight glass and and another 5 oz.

 

[swampcat]

I did not even consider lock tight. IMO that was too risky, and I wanted a permanent solution. I didn't want to keep wondering if it's ok, or tear into the chaincase twice a year. I put on 5k to 7k miles per year, and don't want issues midseason. There was no metal shavings in the chaincase, but found out the bottom gear for the driveshaft is magnetic.

Speedo pickup is magnetic.

 

[Turboflash]

I did not even consider lock tight. IMO that was too risky, and I wanted a permanent solution. I didn't want to keep wondering if it's ok, or tear into the chaincase twice a year. I put on 5k to 7k miles per year, and don't want issues midseason. There was no metal shavings in the chaincase, but found out the bottom gear for the driveshaft is magnetic.

I don't think the gear is magnetic but rather the speedometer pickup is a magnet that senses how many teeth go by and sends a signal to the speedo on the dash.

 

[Sevey]

I checked the upper gear by hand, and felt no wobble. Is that enough? I put 400cc of gear oil in it. Should I put more?

I filled my chain case quite full last winter and did the same for this coming season. I put close to 500ml in it which is way above the sight glass. 400 should be no problem.
Keep an eye on your sight glass. I used high temp silicone to seal the inside and out, while the chaincase cover was off. Cant afford to have it come loose or fall in/out.
MS

 

[snowbeast]

Chaincase calls for 12oz,and thats what cats gear oil comes in,but not Yamaha,there's are only 8oz,the first time we did my case I had cats 12oz,when I changed track last year I only bought one 8oz bottle of yamahalube,but when we figured out it was to low,i just got one more,and added the whole thing 16oz,and ran all last year with it filled that way,and all is still good. But when we were in the case changing track,and replacing driveshaft with another good one,that I got warrentied,we checked my upper 22 gear,w/no hole,and all good,also my chain tensioner bolts were still good,so we left them,and although I did not do a ton of milage last year,i did manage around 1000 miles on max16 msm tune with zero problems last year,but we did drill and install one set screw,and peened the shaft when we reinstalled the track,and like said,so far all good.