chain mystery

[John Luttrell]

I got 17K out of stock chain/sprockets and chain wax.  

I personally think most folks adjust the chain too tight thus stretching it out quicker.  I always kept mine towards mid-range on the adjustment.

 I too have shortened the life span of a chain by running it too tight.  A little too loose is much better than too tight, it's bad on output shaft seals too.

[Charles S Otwell]

Well I pulled the chain and rear sprocket and of course found enough wear to deem it necessary to replace the chain and sprockets. I stopped there not yet pulling the front sprocket. I made a quick trip to Frisco to take Bob up on an offer of used sprockets and Robert's offer of a used chain, both being in pretty fair condition. Thanks guys! After a great visit with Bob , Jeff and Ron I rushed home with my treasures, cleaned up the chain and sprockets and preceded to put it all back together. This is where I pulled the front sprocket and found the culprit to all my woes. the inside of the sprocket was eat up, it had already been reversed and both edges of the teeth were worn out. On top of all this it was not a stock 16 but 17 tooth sprocket , which is possibly why I was having a little more trouble on two up take offs than I thought I should.
All is well
Sorry about the long winded post!

[silveradocowboy]

Glad you found out your ailment, look forward to seeing y'all at the wrench weekend.

[Charles S Otwell]

Thanks Jeff. By the way I did make it home with all your parts . I got my bike all back together today and took it for a spin, Man what a difference! I kept looking down at the bike to see if it was really mine. . Just FWIW I'll never go back to a 17 tooth sprocket for any reason... See ya'll in Oct.

[Curtis_Valk]

Charles, I actually considered going to 15/42 since I used my Magna mostly in town.  Len rescued me from spending money on her though! LOL

Curtis

[Magnum Magna]

That is great, it feels good to resolve issues.  Your front was 17 tooth what was your back?

stock 16/40

I will keep your experience  in mind when it is time to change the chain and sprockets.

[Charles S Otwell]

The rear had been replaced with an after market sprocket but it was still a 40t. Anyone that read an earilier post about front sprocket, knows I was complaining about takoffs when riding two up. This seems to have cured that problem. Also the chain is now so quite I could kick myself for not checking it sooner. Everyone kept telling me that chains are just noisey , I should have known better!
Curtis I'm still considering going to a 15/41 when this chain wares out. For now I'm good to go .
Anyone with a lot of chain noise do your self a favor and pull the front sprocket and check the back side it's worth the time..

[TLRam1]

Charles,

I was wondering how you would be having issues on take as I ride 2-up often w/o any problems....I thought maybe you guys were really two Heavy people. LOL

Have you determined how the back side of the sprocket was destroyed?

[Charles S Otwell]

Nope not two heavy people ,just one heavy and one normal. . Since the front side of the sprocket didn't show that much ware and the back side was ground off pretty good, I'm assuming at some point the chain was misaligned pretty bad.

[roboto65]

At one time the Yellow bike I had had 17/38 all good for highway rpms and gas mileage around 4000 at 75 but what a DOG on take off fell on her face big time !!!!!!!!!!

[lragan]

I have been following this thread with interest.  Got my '96 a year ago, with 26000 miles and have put another 5000 fun miles on it.  Have no clue when the chain was new.  As it was pretty much slappin' loose, I adjusted it per spec of about 1" movement by hand.  Noticed the indicator was up to the "replace" position, and resolved to get another chain "soon".  Next ride, I noticed a new noise, especially loud during engine braking, so I cleaned the beast in diesel fuel (where does anyone buy kerosene these days if you are not a jet jockey?), sprayed a bit of Motul chain wax on the beast, and backed off the adjustment a bit, so it moves about 2" by hand.  Noise gone.

So, I ordered a new "X-ring" chain, link, break, and riveter, but not new sprockets.  The rear one looks pretty good, in that all the teeth have identifiable flats on top, of approximately equal width.  Haven't opened 'er up to look at the drive sprocket.

When I first bought the bike, I looked at the diagram in the owner's manual, compared it to the looks of my sprocket, and had the Honda dealer in New Braunfels (35N Honda) order up a new sprocket.  When I showed up to get them to install it, the new one looked just like mine, and not at all like the pix in the manual.  They were gracious enough to return it to stock and not charge me for it.

So, my question is this:

Does anyone have a good, objective, and simple criterion for examining sprockets and determining when to replace them?

Thanks

[Curtis_Valk]

The short answer to your question is "not really".  A worn chain will accelerate wear on the sprockets and vice versa so I would advise erring on the safe side.  As you correctly allude to, the rear sprocket will generally be in better shape than the front.

I dealt with a lot of roller chain in industry and found that a new chain will "wallow" a bit in the valleys of a worn sprocket, and fit like a glove in the valleys of a good one.  That's still a bit subjective though, and I know you wanted some criteria more definitive.  Sorry.

Curtis

[TLRam1]

I think the chain and sprocket manufactures got together and came up with the change the sprockets and chain together.

I have never followed that rule and never will. If I am tearing down the motor or something I replace everything I can, don't leave it to chance, do it right the first time. But all too easy to replace individually and when not needed a waste of hard earned cash. I treat my dirt bikes the same way, never a problem. Being cautious is good, being wasteful is crazy.

I probably need to check my CS sprocket but the back is still good at 54K.

I just hate to see peoples good money line the pockets of people or businesses who put a "False Perception" in the uninformed rider.

[DC Smith]

Irangan,
Naptha is an excellent cleaner/solvent and available at most paint stores.

[lragan]

Thanks, guys, for your posts on this.  After applying Curtis' evaluation criteria, I have decided to replace the front sprocket, but not the rear.

Another question --

The front sprocket, as I found it, has maybe 0.3mm of lateral play on the shaft.  When I removed the retaining bolt and washer, I found the splines on the shaft and the interior of the sprocket to be in good shape, but the washer contact area clearly in only the end of the shaft.  The washer is "flat as a gander's arch", not the cupped tension washer I would expect if the sprocket is to be held tight against the shoulder on the shaft.

So I wonder   if the sprocket is not thick enough?  Is the washer the wrong type?  Do you guys' machines have this play?

Thanks,

Lawrence Ragan