Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I'm almost done getting the bike ready for a season of riding.
So far I've done:
Compression Test: 140-146 PSI
Chain Adjustment
Fixed Stuck Clutch Plates

The other day I was finishing up my chain adjustment and I had tightened the axle back down. Axle torqued to 51 ft lbs, etc. I accidentally stripped out the side adjustment on the clutch side. I can now not fully tighten that side to its useful tightness. Looks like replacement on eBay for my 81' CR80 are not sold separately from the rear axle. They are $25 plus shipping. I don't have too much money to put into the bike between making the necessary repairs to my soon to be 45 year old daily driver truck. How important is it for the side tensioner to be tightened to be able to safely drive the bike?
Thanks

146psi compression is pretty low - about 40psi less than either of my Hondas. It was night-and-day going from 160 (stock) to 186psi; more power everywhere and a much more lively-feeling motor.

The RH chain adjuster nut (OEM-welded to the swingarm) stripped out on my MR, so I pulled off the shock and put another nut in front of it, which the shock then holds in place - works great. I've been meaning to stop off at the welder's to tack it in place, but it hasn't moved at all. I had to do something, the right side of the axle was moving around and chewing up the swingarm axle plate.

The CR80 95014-10100 chain adjusters (same on both sides) are still available from Honda for less than $5 each.

Ray

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'74 CR125M (175cc), '75 MR175, '82 RM250Z, '08 YZ250F, '14 Zero FX electric, '14 Zero MX electric, '18 Alta MXR electric

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80 CR250Ra
80 CR250Ra
78 CR250R
80 CR80
82 Bultaco Sherpa 340
78 Bultaco Pursang 250 MK12
76 Bultaco Frontera 370 MK10
76 Bultaco Alpina 250
73 Bultaco Lobito 125 MK6
76 Suzuki RM125A
90 Kawasaki KX250

If you stripped the axle nut, like I think you did, I wouldn't ride until you replace it. I would label that as "critical." Do you know the size of the nut? If you do, I can almost promise you it can be replaced without buying a new axle also.