EZ-RIDER - How To Reseat A Loose Sprocket Lug

I Had A Loosy Goosy Lug Nut

I came across an interesting situation the other day.

While removing the lug nuts on EZ-RIDER.   One of the five lugs that fasten the sprocket to the rear wheel came loose, with one of the nuts attached:

I finally got the nut off after soaking the nut+lug in varsol overnight, using a pair of channel pliers and my impact driver:

With the nut off of the lug, the next problem became securing it to the rear wheel hub.  All of the other lugs were secured properly, except for the one that had come loose.

Not really knowing how lugs like this are secured, I had to stop and consult some experts.  I looked online, but couldn't really find the exact right information, despite hours of searching.

Ultimately, I considered using loctite to hold the lug in place, but then a stroke of luck happened!  I was able to consult an older mechanic who lives in my neighborhood that showed me a simple and easy way to put the lug nut in.

In the end, the solution was elegant and incredibly simple.  He just put two of the nuts on the lug, tensioned them together and then, using the tensioned nuts as a temporary bolt head, tightened the lug into the hub with a wrench:

I have to admit it, it seemed so obvious after saw him do it, but I likely would not have thought of it without his showing me.  So bravo to him!  Thanks!

Enjoy!

Help a Maker Out?

Did you see anything in this video you want for yourself?  If the answer is yes, consider using one of the link(s) below to buy it directly from amazon.com.  When you do, I get a small commission that keeps me going!

Bill of Materials

GLOVEWORKS HD Industrial Black Nitrile Gloves - 6 mil, Latex Free, Powder Free, Diamond Texture, Disposable, Large, GWBN46100-BX, Box of 100
https://amzn.to/35fifrv

WD-40 Multi-Use Product Non-Aerosol Trigger Pro Spray. 20 oz. [1-Pack]
https://amzn.to/30h2nmN

15 pieces Scratch Brush (Stainless Steel + Brass+Nylon), AFUNTA Curved Handle Masonry Wire brush Set Bristle for Cleaning Welding Slag and Rust,5 pcs Per Type
https://amzn.to/2rvQFYK

TEKTON 24335 1/2" Drive Click Torque Wrench (10-150'.-Lb./13.6-203.5 Nm)
https://amzn.to/2ROLlbY

40 Pieces - EPAuto 1/4-Inch & 3/8-Inch Drive Socket Set with 72 Teeth Reversible Ratchet
https://amzn.to/2ROLnk6

BLACK+DECKER RTX-6 2 Amp 3-Speed Rotary Tool
https://amzn.to/2rHBJ9S

Dry Wet Sandpaper by Heylure, 45PCS 9 x 3.6" Silicon Carbide, 120 to 5000 Grit Sandpaper Sheets Assortment, for Metal Sanding, Automotive Polishing, Wood Furniture, Wood Turning Finishing
https://amzn.to/36AhUj5

Utopia Towels 12 Pack Dish Towels, 15 x 25 Inches Ultra Soft Cotton Dish Cloths, Blue
https://amzn.to/34rdwC1

FIXKIT 7-in-1 Portable Workbench, Multifunctional Folding Work Table Scaffold/Dolly/Platform with 4 Wheels for Garage
https://amzn.to/2QVtrVE

Best Value 24-Piece Master Combination Wrench Set with Roll-up Storage Pouch | SAE 1/4” to 1”
https://amzn.to/2GyIU87

WORKPRO 4-piece Adjustable Wrench Set, Forged, Heat Treated, Chrome-plated (6-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, 12-inch)

https://amzn.to/31765zV

Channellock 440 Tongue and Groove Pliers | 12-Inch Straight Jaw Groove Joint Plier with Comfort Grips | 2.25-Inch Jaw Capacity | Laser Heat-Treated 90° Teeth| Forged High Carbon Steel | Made in USA
https://amzn.to/2RBw7YQ

DEWALT 20V MAX Impact Driver Kit, 1/4-Inch (DCF885C1)
https://amzn.to/2uGz3dM

EZ-RIDER - Chain & Sprockets Removal

A Panoply of Challenges

After I decided to remove the sprocket from the rear wheel, it was only natural that I would want to remove the front sprocket and the chain.  Here's some of the things that I found out along the way:

Chain

The VT250CR chain is pretty high-tech.  It's a size that's designed for a nice balance between weight and power, and it features some advanced technology to make it long-lasting.  The VT250CR has a 520 type chain, which means:

- There is a 5/8 of an inch gap between the side plates, to accomodate at fairly thick front and rear sprocket

- The teeth of the sprockets are 1/4 of an inch wide, so the gaps between the rivets on the chain are also 1/4 of an inch from pin-to-pin

- The VT250CR chain features o-rings between the side plates and the rollers, which helps to reduce wear and increase the life of the chain

Small Sprocket

The small sprocket is also fairly high-tech, and it connects directly to the engine of the VT250CR and it has the following characteristics: 

- It is stamped 14T, which means it has fourteen teeth
- It is rubber sided, to reduce rattle & vibration
- It uses a very large diameter washer
- It features  14mm bolt @ 40lbs

Large Sprocket

The large sprocket is a piece of stamped metal with the following characteristics:

- It has a 80mm center hole
- It is stamped 38T, which means it has thirty-eight teeth
- It is secured by 5 Bolts spaced at 64mm

This means that the VT250cR has 14:38 (7:19) gearing.

Help a Maker Out?

Did you see anything in this video you want for yourself?  If the answer is yes, consider using one of the link(s) below to buy it directly from amazon.com.  When you do, I get a small commission that keeps me going!

Bill of Materials

GLOVEWORKS HD Industrial Black Nitrile Gloves - 6 mil, Latex Free, Powder Free, Diamond Texture, Disposable, Large, GWBN46100-BX, Box of 100
https://amzn.to/35fifrv

TEKTON 24335 1/2" Drive Click Torque Wrench (10-150'.-Lb./13.6-203.5 Nm)

https://amzn.to/2ROLlbY

40 Pieces - EPAuto 1/4-Inch & 3/8-Inch Drive Socket Set with 72 Teeth Reversible Ratchet

https://amzn.to/2ROLnk6

WD-40 Multi-Use Product Non-Aerosol Trigger Pro Spray. 20 oz. [1-Pack]
https://amzn.to/30h2nmN

Felo 0715750274 1/2" Series 800 Slotted Screwdriver, 8"
https://amzn.to/365QQYO