Is it correctly aligned? Take a straight edge on the rear sprocket and check that they are both in line with on another and running true.
Is the front sprocket badly worn? If it's getting a bit "hooked" it will damage the chain, which in turn damages the rear sprocket.
What are the rear axle bearings like? If there's play, the chian tension will vary, potentially causing damage.
Check carefully around the motor mounts and bearing hanger for chassis cracks. They're not always obvious, but can open up when on the kerbs, and cause the chain tension to vary.
What chain lube are you using? I've had disastrous results with some motorcycle chain lubes, although the Wurth stuff is pretty good. Proper kart chain lube, even the cheap stuff, seems pretty good.
Tension should be about 5-10 mm slack in the middle of the chain run. And I mean slack, not that you can force it through 5 mm. More than that and they slap, less than that and they go tight, the chain overheats in the links, and then everything gets destroyed.
With a well lubed chain and trying to keep to good sprockets, I seem to be getting the best part of a season out of a chain on my senior TKM.
Is it DD, or clutched? If it's clutched, how much play on the clutch drum?
Liam
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