Lost my chain!

I have a new tdub and I just changed out the 50t rear sprocket for a 44t. It's a JT sprocket. I took 4 links out of the chain. I set up the tension on the chain and torqued the axle nut to 65 lbs. I tested it on the road and was really happy with the results. Then I decided to try the trails behind my house. On basically flat dirt and an easy 2 nd gear the chain fell off. It looks like th clip came off the the fastener link. As far as I can tell there is no damage. I know I'm extremely fortunate to not have torn up the clutch cover or locked up the rear wheel. The first thing I did was get it back up on the stand to see what I'd done wrong. The replaced rear sprocket is tight and seems fine. I had set the chain tensioners on 1. 2 seemed way too tight. In the course of inspection I found a slight amount of play in the front sprocket, but searching old posts on here I see that is probably normal (?).



So help me out here, please.



1. Could it be I just didn't get the clip on on the link properly and it fell off? Seemed okay, but maybe I damaged it when i took it off or put it on?

2. Should I worry about a slight amount of play in the front sprocket?

3. Could I have set the chain too tight? Maybe I should have gone with 119 links instead of 118? The tightener settings were both on "1."





Thanks in advance.



-Dan