Not necessarily. I replaced chain and both sprockets on my bike and have tight and loose spots. I even replaced the back hub with a good used one (mine had been damaged) and still have the same tight and loose spots. I'm thinking the aftermarket rear sprocket I bought is bored and drilled just slightly off center. I can get a good median adjustment, but it's irritating.tight and loose spots indicate a worn chain.
Drive Chain Tension63 CA78
Simple to test. If it is the sprocket mark the wheel (or sprocket) and it will appear in the same place each time the wheel is turned the to the same spot.
Next mark the chain (a little spray paint) and rotate the wheel to the same spot on the chain. This simple process or elimination should find the problem. The second question is have you ridden the bike a few miles to do an initial "stretch" on the chain? Of course we have all the other possibilities. Swing arm bushings, rear wheel bearings, motor mounts, etc. Unlikely but possible. Did that, in fact that's what made me think it was a problem with the damaged rear hub. Before and after replacing the hub it's maximum tight at the same spot, but at 1/4 turn from that spot the chain is higher/lower from the ground than at 1/4 turn the opposite way. I got the chain & sprockets from Ohio Cycle, I'm not sure where they get them. 63 CA78
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