drive chain rattling/bouncing

I've got an 82 550 maxim. The other day my drive chain started rattling so I checked the free play it seems to be in spec but I noticed the play slightly changes as I turn the wheel. I have the notches on the adjusters lined up so in theory the wheel should be straight. The chain seems to bounce a lot when the wheel turns it seems lose but when I measure its within spec. Is there a better way to align the wheel am I missing something here or do I just need a new chain and sprockets.

 

somewhere down the line the pins got rusty, now that area of the chain has more space between the rollers. so basically it's shot. sooner rather than later it's going to eat the sprockets if it hasn't already.
google up motorcycle wheel alignment, they do it with a string to the front wheel, the swingarm marks might not be as right as you think

 

If you are near the end of the Chain Slack Adjusters at the Rear Axle ...

You need a New Chain, ... at least!

You might need a Drive and Rear Sprocket.

You'll like how she runs if you do the Full Monte'.

 

Maybe I'm missing something but I can't see how alignment would affect chain tension while cornering. Plain old worn out chain and/or swingarm bushings.

 

It an old story for guys without a Drive Shaft.

They don't like to Lube the Chain.
The keep putting-off taking-up Slack.

I've seen some Chains flapping-around so bad that it looks like its about to fly-off the Rear Sprocket.

I had a guy come-by here with a Seca-ll.
The Adjusters were all the way in and the Chain was flapping like is was the wrong size.

Before he left we wound-up doing the whole shebang.
Drive.
Rear.
O-ring Chain.
And New Bolts with Locking Nuts ... to set things right.

 

alignment makes both wheels point in the same direction. then moving both chain adjusters the same amount adjusts the chain slack and keeps the alignment right.
you could adjust only the left chain adjuster and make the chain tight but the wheels won't be pointed in the same direction anymore and the sprockets will be out of line.

 

My point is, alignment has nothing to do with chain tension. Sprockets being out of line I could see but only if everything else about the frame is dead on (engine mounts, swingarm axis, etc). Maybe I misunderstood the op. Not looking to argue because I think we are in agreement, Polock.

So yeah, check the chain. Last replacement? Last lube? Any rust?

 

we are in agreement and your plain old worn out chain was probably the best answer. wheel alignment is a good thing to check though and it comes into play when the chain gets adjusted

 

I don't know when the chain was last lubed or replaced I bought the bike from a guy who said it was only good as a parts bike and it was pointless to try and rebuild it. I got it running it's been good for about a month then the chain started rattling. I'm thinking new sprockets and a chain is the way to go I'm new to this so is there any type of chain that's better than others?Any other parts i should change along with them while I'm at it? Thanks for all the help.

 

So let me understand this: you bought this "parts bike" and have been riding it for a month and never lubed the chain yourself? 8O

Regardless, Mr. P. is right; you need a new chain and BOTH sprockets. Don't put it off; if it breaks it can come back up and tear the starter motor out of the crankcase casting and ruin your motor.

In regard to chain choice (standard vs. o-ring vs. x-ring, etc.,) it's a matter of preference. The 530 on these bikes is "overkill" so you'll get a good long life out of just the standard chain and OE-replacement sprockets as long as you maintain it and keep it properly lubed. Or you can kick it up a notch with fancier chains (but they still need maintenance too.)

You also need to rebuild the 30+ year old brakes before something bad happens: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=15874.html