Chain Alignment

Fortunately, your local bike shop can supply you with a freewheel spacer to move the chain outwards at the rear gear which will align the chain with the front gear. In this case only one spacer was needed to align the chain. Apply grease to both sides of the spacer and place it on the hub face in center. Afterwards, install the freewheel, set up the chain and ride much safer.

Chain Alignment

This particular frame sets up the bottom bracket bearings wide, creating an offset of the chain. The chain at the front gear was moved outwards to the right of the rear gear during initial set up. In addition, I needed to use one of the smallest spindle spacers to prevent the front gear from touching the bearing cup creating even more of a misalignment of the chain between the front and rear gears.

Chain Alignment

Chain alignment is real important if you believe you will need your teeth in the future. A chain that is not lined up with the both the front and rear gears may seem OK at a glance and appear harmless. However, in the long run a chain that is off a touch to the left or right will wear gears prematurely, create tight spots and eventually cause the chain to fall off or break.