Is Tao Tao wrong about the Tbr7 chain links?

Joshcb7 · 02-13-2020, 10:59 AM

I know there are tons of guys breaking sprocket bolts on Hawks and Tbr7s. I have a brand new 2020 Tbr7 0miles with the chain tight as a drum,Rear wheel all the way forward. The book says there should be 20-30mm chain slack. It seems when chain replacement comes up people say 428 130link right? There is more info out there on the Hawks so I figured Id take a shot for the Tbr7 guys.
When you search Tbr7 chain and look at Tao Tao parts direct its listed as 428H 126links (out of stock). I ordered the 130 link JTC428HDR230SL that seems to be the popular cheap choice on here. I plan on switching the chain before I ride it and maybe prevent the headache.
Just saw a guy I follow with a Tbr7 snap the sprocket bolts and wreck the rear hub BUT I have never seen anyone here say "My chain had proper slack and still broke the sprocket bolts".....Am I correct on that? Im sure someone will say they had it right an still broke bolts but I bet not!
My theory is this bike does not have the torque to snap sprocket bolts but when the swing arm is traveling and hits the tightest part of chain slack its ripping apart. In that case I say your lucky if you damage the rear bolts and not the rear hub,Or the front shaft,Or if the chain fails and whips around. So I dont know about upgrading sprocket bolts like everyone else. I think that might be the correct place for a weak link.
Also finally got some pics outside of the Tbr7

AJboughtamoto · 02-13-2020, 11:06 AM

It's very possible the chain will for sure cause issues if it's that tight. The studs themselves are known to be weak. You may want to go ahead and replace them, Consider a 520 chain conversion as well. These bikes really need a 520.

kingofqueenz · 02-13-2020, 01:14 PM

My 2019 TBR7 shipped tight with the stock chain, but it had sufficient play when I adjusted the rear wheel forward.

When I swapped to a 17 tooth front sprocket, my rear wheel was moved ALL THE WAY forward in order for me to get any slack and even still its probably around 15-20mm slack, of course as I continue to ride that new chain will loosen up and get me to the sweet spot.

GetnGhost · 02-13-2020, 07:11 PM

Yeah my 2020 TBR7's chain shipped as tight as a drum too.

Joshcb7 · 02-14-2020, 10:51 AM

I get that a lot of people swap sprockets and upgrade the rear studs but it would be nice to at least ride it first. I get it,You can upgrade the carb and sprockets and make it faster but thats true with anything. I dont understand how they even got the chain on that tight. The studs could break just looking at it wrong. I put 6/10ths a mile on it easy in 2nd gear to get the pics and I regret that for fear of damage to the studs. Also I might just sell it anyways so why dump money into it. Just moving it around im not impressed by the size and its very top heavy. Its much heavier than my Yamaha XT225 so I dont expect much speed or maneuverability.

AJ Can you explain the 520 chain?See everyone just says stuff like the studs are weak,or it needs this and that but with no proof or explanation. The studs might not be grade 8 but again who has ripped the studs apart with a proper fitting chain? Why would you run 520 chain on 428 sprockets?Unless you are saying change everything.

46T rear and 15T front on the 2020 TBR7 if anyone cares. Im waiting for the chain and then ill let you guys know if it fits without removing links.

AJboughtamoto · 02-14-2020, 12:26 PM

You get 520 sprockets as well. The 428 stretches constantly. It's bad enough to have loosened up enough to pop off the rear sprocket during a ride twice. It was properly tensioned when I left.

OneLeggedRider · 02-14-2020, 12:30 PM

The studs aren't snapping because the chain is too tight, they're snapping because of the poor quality metal just like the swingarm pivot bolt. Buy the genuine Honda sprocket studs and save yourself some headache.

Do the bikes need a bigger 520 chain? No. But there's a reason the Japanese are putting them on everything, durability and less stretching/adjusting. Jay and I, and a few others are running the 520, and in a year's time I've only had to adjust it once.

bogieboy · 02-14-2020, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneLeggedRider

The studs aren't snapping because the chain is too tight, they're snapping because of the poor quality metal just like the swingarm pivot bolt. Buy the genuine Honda sprocket studs and save yourself some headache.

Do the bikes need a bigger 520 chain? No. But there's a reason the Japanese are putting them on everything, durability and less stretching/adjusting. Jay and I, and a few others are running the 520, and in a year's time I've only had to adjust it once.

this... when i had the stock wheels on my roketa, i went thru 5 sets of the cheapo studs off ebay before i swapped em out for the honda counterparts from a local dealer... never had issues past that and then swapped for ninja 250 wheels to supermoto my bike...

kingofqueenz · 02-14-2020, 03:17 PM

what is the ride application behind all of these snapped bolts ....offroad? street?

bogieboy · 02-14-2020, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingofqueenz

what is the ride application behind all of these snapped bolts ....offroad? street?

mine was street, a bit of offroad, and lots of first gear wheelies...LOL

GetnGhost · 02-18-2020, 05:59 PM

Is it just the cheap non O-ring 428 chains that stretch or both of the 428's, even the O-ring?

02-13-2020, 11:06 AM	#2
AJboughtamoto Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 123	It's very possible the chain will for sure cause issues if it's that tight. The studs themselves are known to be weak. You may want to go ahead and replace them, Consider a 520 chain conversion as well. These bikes really need a 520. __________________ 2019 Brozz 250 1999 Gas Gas EC300 2003 ZX6R 1991 Voyager XII
	1

02-14-2020, 10:51 AM	#5
Joshcb7 Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: USA Posts: 18	I get that a lot of people swap sprockets and upgrade the rear studs but it would be nice to at least ride it first. I get it,You can upgrade the carb and sprockets and make it faster but thats true with anything. I dont understand how they even got the chain on that tight. The studs could break just looking at it wrong. I put 6/10ths a mile on it easy in 2nd gear to get the pics and I regret that for fear of damage to the studs. Also I might just sell it anyways so why dump money into it. Just moving it around im not impressed by the size and its very top heavy. Its much heavier than my Yamaha XT225 so I dont expect much speed or maneuverability. AJ Can you explain the 520 chain?See everyone just says stuff like the studs are weak,or it needs this and that but with no proof or explanation. The studs might not be grade 8 but again who has ripped the studs apart with a proper fitting chain? Why would you run 520 chain on 428 sprockets?Unless you are saying change everything. 46T rear and 15T front on the 2020 TBR7 if anyone cares. Im waiting for the chain and then ill let you guys know if it fits without removing links. __________________ 99 XT225,01 CR250r, 2016 Tao Tao Thunder50, 2019 Tbr7 17T front sprocket 39T rear sprocket 110main jet
	0

02-14-2020, 12:26 PM	#6
AJboughtamoto Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 123	You get 520 sprockets as well. The 428 stretches constantly. It's bad enough to have loosened up enough to pop off the rear sprocket during a ride twice. It was properly tensioned when I left. __________________ 2019 Brozz 250 1999 Gas Gas EC300 2003 ZX6R 1991 Voyager XII
	1

02-14-2020, 12:30 PM	#7
OneLeggedRider Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Stockport, Oh. Posts: 1,442	The studs aren't snapping because the chain is too tight, they're snapping because of the poor quality metal just like the swingarm pivot bolt. Buy the genuine Honda sprocket studs and save yourself some headache. Do the bikes need a bigger 520 chain? No. But there's a reason the Japanese are putting them on everything, durability and less stretching/adjusting. Jay and I, and a few others are running the 520, and in a year's time I've only had to adjust it once. __________________ ~ Don't poke the bear ~ M.M.I. Dean's List graduate class of '95 and Specialty welder 2020 Ice Bear Terifecta 150cc Trike 2011 Honda Foreman 500ES 4x4 2001 Polaris Scrambler 400
	1

02-18-2020, 05:59 PM	#11
GetnGhost Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Kentucky Posts: 40	Is it just the cheap non O-ring 428 chains that stretch or both of the 428's, even the O-ring? __________________ 2020 Tao TBR7 2001 Yamaha PW80 Y-Zinger https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtv..._as=subscriber
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02-13-2020, 01:14 PM	#3
kingofqueenz Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Strong Island New Yawk Posts: 464	My 2019 TBR7 shipped tight with the stock chain, but it had sufficient play when I adjusted the rear wheel forward. When I swapped to a 17 tooth front sprocket, my rear wheel was moved ALL THE WAY forward in order for me to get any slack and even still its probably around 15-20mm slack, of course as I continue to ride that new chain will loosen up and get me to the sweet spot.
	0

02-13-2020, 07:11 PM	#4
GetnGhost Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Kentucky Posts: 40	Yeah my 2020 TBR7's chain shipped as tight as a drum too.
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02-14-2020, 03:17 PM	#9
kingofqueenz Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Strong Island New Yawk Posts: 464	what is the ride application behind all of these snapped bolts ....offroad? street?
	0