[image: View Post]Bruckner, on May 28 2009, 05:02 PM, said:
[image: View Post]elizilla, on May 25 2009, 09:18 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Bruckner, on May 22 2009, 10:51 AM, said:
How do chain/sprockets fail if not changed? Chain snap? Break a sprocket/tooth?
Well, eventually the chain will break. But before that, the bike will ride like crap as the o-rings begin to fail. The o-rings won't all fail at the same time, so you'll get a situation where some links are stretched and others are not, and they have varying degrees of stiffness. This will cause a pulsing feel as the chain loosens and tightens with every revolution. The bike will not ride very smoothly, the shifting will get rough, and it will make a "hngh hngh hngh" sound which will serve as constant reminder that the chain could break at any moment. Which will not give you a warm fuzzy feeling.
Thanks, I wanted to know whether there was advanced warning signs. I've had the chain/sprockets for over 15K miles (DID high end stuff), everything feels and looks as good as new, only recently for the first time did I tighten the chain, which is a sign that sooner than later I'll have to change the set. The sprockets also look fine, although the gauge sticker on the swingarm was taken out long ago, hard to tell if it's within spec. I'll have that checked by the dealer when I get my brakes bled.
Regards,
Bruckner
The sticker doesnt have much to do with sprocket wear, but running an over stretched chain does not aid sprocket life, Because the chain does not fit the teeth well, it will start riding high on the sprocket teeth and wear them quicker.
The countershaft sprocket will be the quickest wearing sprocket, in comparison to a steel rear(aluminum rears wear 10x faster than steel). Steel rears are nearly indestructable if you are able to quelch metal to metal contact.
As you saw in my pic previous, normally I have to replace cs sprocket much earlier as a result of wear, I went 4 times my normal interval and that sprocket was still in good shape, could have ran it another 10,000 mile. But the difference is quelching that metal to metal contact.
Chain deterioration? as soon as the lithium grease inside the chain oxidises, rust will begin internally, eventually it blows the rust out past the orings(red dust). Any links in this condition will begin to rust and lock up or kink, this will cause vibration as the chain moves along the path. Sometimes you have to sit down and go through each link on inspection.