Electra Rear Chain Alignment

It could be something really simple ,like the back wheel is out of line with the  front  and just needs adjusting. If its anything else ,I would start with the basics.Is the chain too wide for the sprockets?  Is the front wheel central in the forks?. Is the back wheel in line with the front.? Are the back wheel axle components correct ? Are the sprockets correct and in line? Wrong swinging arm?,  .  After all this I would be thinking about  changing the axle /hub spacing  to get the sprockets in line and adjusting spokes to put the rim in line with the front. But thats a last resort . 

I've just put my re-toothed sprocket/brake drum back on my Electra (after an 8 month wait). I've not adjusted it to correct tension yet but the chain is running very straight and not rubbing on any bracketry. The only "spacer" involved in positioning the wheel is the bracket to hold the brake plate stop and the torque arm connection. Have you got a different arrangement of spacers?

What I know about lightweights you could write on a stamp.   But if its anything like a featherbed there should be a spacer twixt  brake plate and swing arm??.

Sorry - I have re-read your post, and am not clear where the chain is rubbing. Is it rubbing by the wheel or at the front of the chainguard? Some photos would be useful, especially from the side to see the chainguard you have fitted, and (with a flash, maybe) looking down into the spindle area from the side, back and under (if you can manage it).

You can write to me with photos attached at lighttwins@nortonownersclub.org if posting pictures is hard here.

Have you got the correct adapter plate shown in the first attached photo, with integral spacer & which connects to a torque arm under your swinging arm - shown in the 2nd photo?

James,

I have roughly measured, within a mm, the distance from the inside face of the gearbox sprocket and the machined face of the gearbox casting where the layshaft bush is as 1/4". I have also measured the width of the brake anchor plate as 3/4". There are no spacers used to position my swinging arm. If you have these same dimensions but the chain still rubs the possibilities are that something is bent or the chaincase bracket is wrong in some way.

You certainly can't leave it as it is,  the contact may flip off the spring clip . I wondered if you have fitted a wider chain than it should be..  Were there different swinging arms on the lightweights ,you may have an imposter!. I'm investigating an unwanted contact between tyre sidewall and chaincase mount/ screw, Think its the replacement screws are 3/4 mm too long ,no room for error at all.

James,

The Electra chain size is 1/2" x 5/16th". The manual says 1/2" by 0.305" but I don't think this is what  the chain is normally called. 

My previous note was not complete. One other possibility is that your spacer behind the gearbox sprocket is the wrong width.

Thats perfect, glad you did not start at the front wheel !.

As long as the chaincase fits, that's well done.