yep thats pertty much it...a lil rubbinz

 Thank you that's what I was going to do!

 I have used the ball end of a ball peen hammer once, but I am a crack shot!

a setup like this may be a little more controlled!

www.flickr.com/photos/garthnet/7692108784

 that is so funny! That's about exactly what I was imagining making! only I was going to use hardwood with a pipe burn relief on the carrier side!

 I think it may be an optical illusion...what do you mean? Tons of room all around the chain I just had to put the phone right up in there to get the ring / chain stay gap...

 Looks like the chain would get coated in mud if the tyres got thick with mud

 oh yeah no the angle of the photo is a bit deceiving there is almost an inch or whats that 20 something mm of space between the tire and the chain. Whole bike got muddy this weekend so cant blame that

 oh ok cool... is this not 27.5+?

 naw just 27.5

 Oh ok cool non the less... should try and throw your leg over one at somepoint i reckon you'd love it judgeing by the trails and area you ride in

 they say 2.4 but closer to 2.3 put a WTB trailboss on the rear the Cougar was just too fat out back

 I can actually see there is good chain clearance.
The chainring does look tight to the chainstay,but you have done countless miles on this bike already,so doesn't seem to be a problem.
Can't imagine any sideways movement either,unless you boof it off a rock occaisonally

 ha! I boof alot! yeah I just know its tight and there is a little wear there but someones suggestion of a 1 mm spindle spacer should clear it up quite nicely and give me piece of mind. I know frames or any other parts for that matter don't last forever (i wouldn't want them too ) but if I can squeak a year or two out of this thing before I kill it that'd be great!

 Crikey,I would be looking to get at least 5 years out of it
You should have stuck with Vittoria and got a pair of Jafaki's

 he he found a deal I couldn't pass up ....