sprockets and chain

[henry]

On a recent long trip - had chain noise and sprocket wear - two dealers said the sprockets were shot. Of course, neither dealer had any parts in stock! Questions: Should this be a problem at 18,000 miles on almost no dirt? should I replace with OEM parts or is there better aftermarket stuff on the market. I'm pretty handy and do my own maintenance - I assume this is not too difficult a job? Need a gear puller for the transmission sprocket?
Thanks Much!!

Lee

 

[afpreppie04]

I'd think it a perfect opportunity to -1/+2 it! If you do a lot of touring or anything of the sort you may want to keep to stock gearing though. I haven't heard any bad stories about aftermarket sprockets except for that ones with aluminum teeth wear a lot faster. There are some brands that have aluminum inner areas for the weight savings but steel teeth so it doesn't wear.

 

[RJ2112]

My OEM sprockets are still in reasonably good shape at 23K miles.... if your sprockets are shot at 18K, the chain is as well. replace all three components.

Many convert to lighter weight chain; 520 components are suposedly much less expensive.

I understand the OEM front sprocket has a rubber bushing in the center? Suposed to quiet the chain noise to a degree...... I haven't taken mine off to check this.

You should not need a puller for the front sprocket..... you will need to flatten the edge of the washer used to lock it on the shaft; it's bent up after install to ensure the nut won't back off.

I'm pretty sure there are at least a few "how to's" on the process on this forum, so I won't repeat that here.

That 18K seems a bit short, particularly with obvious sprocket degradation........ would you mind telling us what you do for chain maintenance?

 

[henry]

Thanks for the input. I use only spray chain wax about every few hundred miles.

 

[RJ2112]

Thanks for the input. I use only spray chain wax about every few hundred miles.

Have you had to adjust the chain, in the time you have owned the bike?

 

[henry]

It has been dealer serviced so don't really know about need for adjustment.

 

[RJ2112]

I would have to suspect that chain being set too tight, to kill the sprockets as quickly as you have stated. If they are telling you the sprockets are 'shot' and you are hearing noise form the sprockets and chains that's some serious stress on the links and teeth.

When you look at the rear sprocket, can you see curvature to the teeth, like a curling wave?

 

[RJ2112]

This is just a bit exaggerated; kind of a pain to use MS Paint to add a line along the edges of the teeth. Rear sprocket from the right, as the teeth rotate 'down' the bike moves forward. The working face of the teeth I have added a dashed yellow line to show the curvature. The unloaded face in blue is very nearly the shape the sprocket left the factory with.

You can see I don't have the curve identical on the two teeth I drew the lines on, the lighting and angles made it tought to get them symetrical in perspective, as well as my crappy free hand.

What I am trying to illustrate is the yellow side of the tooth is starting to dish from the pulling forces on it. I assume your teeth are in worse conditions?

 

[Moses195]

None of my business but RJ, do you have ANY lube on your chain? It looks totally DRY!

 

[RJ2112]

None of my business but RJ, do you have ANY lube on your chain? It looks totally DRY!

LOL 90 WT gear oil, a couple of hundred miles ago.

It's been sitting for more than a week, without moving... I lubed it before I went on a 240 mile round trip, and rode over a mile of very dusty road before I put it under the car port. I need to re-oil it, and plan to shortly.

 

[RJ2112]

Same chain, same day. Just been wiped down fresh gear oil. Took the time to clean the grunge off the rear sprocket, as well... didn't take the time to clean the hub or rim.... I'm not riding it again for a few more days, and didn't see any point in cleaning it in a rain storm.

 

[Moses195]

WOW!, what a diff. I started to use MoTul spray on mine left over from my TW200. Better than what the Yamaha Dealer put on mine!! I don't know what they put on it but was all black crap that I'm trying to clean off.

 

[RJ2112]

I've been the route of special sprays, and cleaning off the super sticky schlock that they leave behind..... I don't like it. I know what gear oil does, and how good a film strength it has. I happen to have it around due to having farm equipment that requires regular servicing.... that, and the grease gun are my friends. I'd be happier if there were some zirc fittings on motorcycles for the places that need grease, like swingarm pivots, and steering bearings....

Seems a whole lot easier to put on the disposable latex glove, get a piece of an old towel about twice the size of my hand, fold it over and pour some gear oil into the rag. Maybe a quarter cup. Sqeeze the rag a couple times to distribute some of the oil, wrap my fingers around the chain with the towel wapped over the links, and slowly spin the wheel to move the chain through the towel. By the time I've had the whole chain pass thorugh the towel 5 or 6 times, it's all wetted with gear oil. All the grunge that was on the chain is now on the towel.

If I get really excited about it, I clean the sprocket, too.

The 1 liter bottle of 85w-115wt I bought at WalMart was around $7, and would last a few years if the only thing I used it for was the chain on the bike.

 

[Moses195]

That sounds very nice and easy! I think I'll try it after I use up this can($11) of Motul. I like EASY. Thanks.

 

[g8anos]

lube your chain !!!

or change the chain-lube