Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Just got my first fixie - Need chain alignment help...

Hey, just picked up a fixed gear bike for nothing, because I love to get out the tools and waste some time. However that doesn't mean I'm extremely experienced, just handy. So anyway the front and rear gears are not currently aligned, which causes sideways stress on the chain and clicking. Obviously bad. Below are some pictures of the front gear and cranks.

I notice theres a good amount of space between the frame and the wall of the crank, is this able to be adjusted? Or should I put spacers on the rear hub? How do you guys recommend I fix this chain alignment issue?

http://dracsoft.com/publicimages/Bike/20100714_003.jpg

http://dracsoft.com/publicimages/Bike/20100714_002.jpg


Thanks!:D


[EDIT] I fixed the chainline thanks to the advice below. But now I'm trying to take out the BB and it appears to be stuck... I went and got a BB-wrench attachment and took the cranks off, then the lockring, but I can't seem to get the BB loosened on the drive side. It may be off the threading? I'm no body builder but I was pulling real hard trying to get that thing loose. Any tips for getting this thing off entirely?

a picture like this would help more.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/485657403_60894fb227.jpg

From what I can see, its either a bent chainring, badly installed chainring , or you can fix it by putting the chainring inside the spider.

What crank is that?

The crank is...totally unmarked.

Here is a pic as requested: http://dracsoft.com/publicimages/Bike/20100714_006.jpg

That chainline is fine IMO. Did you put spacers of some sort in your bottom bracket? Because that cup looks extremely close to your crank arm. As squeegee stated, you could try putting your chainring on the inside of the crank.

Based on your second pic, I think whoever installed that BB put in the non-drive side first, then installed the drive side (which is wrong). Drive side should go all the way in until the flange meets the frame, then the non-drive side should be threaded in as far as it will go. Sometimes it won't go in all the way (which is normal). Fix that ****, son!

I dunno about the chainline or BB installation, but that chain sure needs some lube.

Hey, just picked up a fixed gear bike for nothing, because I love to get out the tools and waste some time.

I cannot advocate bicycle theft.

I've never worried about chainline and you shouldn't either.

I agree with Scroddler about fixing the BB though.

That BB looks BEAT. Hey man kudos to picking a used frame and recycling it(no kudos if you stole it).

Well I tried squeegee's suggestion and that corrected the chainline for now. I'm just gonna replace the chain entirely, but some oil helped lube it up enough to test out. I'm very happy with my new toy ;)

Btw I didn't steal the bike, I just paid very little. A retired couple said it was their grandkid's but he moved across country for a job, so my gain ;)

Very nice then, congrats man.

http://lolfed.com/wp-content/uploads/borat-very-nice.jpg

Sorry guys, you knew it was coming. It was inevitable.

...or you can fix it by putting the chainring inside the spider.

This is what I ended up having to do w/my build. I have a 103mm Sugino bb and made the adjustment when I went from single speed to fixed. Fixed seems slightly more narrow a/t hub which affected the chainline by quite a bit. All's well now, though. Nice get and build.

His chain line does look a little off, but not horrible. you could flip the chainring to the other side of the spider.

But yea, BB needs work. Time to break out some tools dood.

Well I went and got a BB-wrench attachment and took the cranks off, then the lockring, but I can't seem to get the BB loosened on the drive side. It may be off the threading? I'm no body builder but I was pulling real hard trying to get that thing loose. Any tips for getting this thing off entirely?

Well I went and got a BB-wrench attachment and took the cranks off, then the lockring, but I can't seem to get the BB loosened on the drive side. It may be off the threading? I'm no body builder but I was pulling real hard trying to get that thing loose. Any tips for getting this thing off entirely?

You DO know that the drive side's reverse threaded, yes? W/an old school bb assembly an oversized pair of vice grips or channel locks always did the trick. When it's REALLY stuck a propane torch heated things enough to get the cup started. Then you've got to take an ice pick and reset the grooves or use a cloth to soften the grip. If you've got a cartridge you'll have to borrow or buy a tool. Try the C/V sub-forum as those guys are always inventing new ideas for severe problems. Good Luck!

same problem as you my man.. finally got off the crank arms and i have the BB tool but whoop... the thing is completely stuck on.. wont come off... its seriously stuck.. how would the propane torch work??

Nash, yea I know its reverse threaded ;)

I did manage to get it off with pure force however. I took an old lacrosse stick I had lying around, slipped it over a socket wrench handle and got about 3 ft of leverage. Came off with some serious effort. I reinstalled it and it solved the creaking/moving crank issue. I've already ordered a new BB though because I doubt this one will last much longer.