2011 ultra on jack with rear wheel off the ground. Transmission in first gear. Either of these normal?

1. One inch of free play in rear wheel. In other words, I can rotate the rear wheel back and forth a full inch while the tranny is in gear.
2. 1/16 inch of free play between rear sprocket and rear hub. I can rotate the rear wheel back and forth by hand about 1/16 inch by hand while holding the belt and sprocket stationary.

Either of these two things normal?

 

Yep, both normal.

 

I would say yes, both are normal. Not sure I understand #2 but I think I do.

 

No bike to compare to at the moment but I'd be concerned to. Sorry I can't contribute.

 

No need to be concerned on 1, that is normal. I'm not sure what 2 is all about.

 

The 1. is the play in the gear train in the transmission between two gears but mostly the free play in your primary chain tensioner. When you go one way, the chain is tight on the top and the other it is tight across the bottom. It's not really in the transmission.

The 2. is the play in the flex drive rubber bumpers in you rear sprocket to protect the drive train.

Mine has even more since I have more free play in my manual adjuster on my older bike. Mine has about 3/4" chain travel, yours only has about 3/8 plus about 1/4 more that is under two heavy coil springs tensioners that you need to push hard to see. I do not have 2, mine is bolted solid.

 

1 yes normal
2 yes normal (Yea I change it, forgot about the rubber in the new bikes)

 

Im surprised the slop isnt more with the old design of these nastalgic chariots we ride.

 

 

Here is the IDS rubber "compensator" that goes between the pulley and the rear wheel. It softly transfers the rotational energy from your pulley to the rear wheel.

This is a new one:



This is a rear 18" Agitator wheel and you can see where the IDS compensator lives:



Service Manual page:



Here is what the older models looked like: