After market sprocket question.

[mattprzy]

So I bought a 14 tooth sprocket from the local Cycle Gear. It doesn't have the spacer on it like the stock one does. I am worried about putting it on. Is it okay to put on without a spacer? I would think it would be bad if it didn't have the spacer. I took some pics to show what I mean. It may be also called a lip?

STOCK: notice the spacer

AFTER MARKET: notice the lack of a spacer


Is that normal? Do I need to return the after market sprocket? Wouldn't the sprocket slide up and down the shaft? Wouldn't it be bad to put it up against the wall because the chain wouldn't be straight?

[joshr08]

they gave you a sprocket for the wrong yr bike they are not all the same i think 02 they put the flange on the back if you had it you need it.  dont run it without.

[DoD#i]

IIRC the flange came much earlier than 02 - '94 or 95?

My 90 has the flange-less. The flange is a Good Thing, becasue it gives more area where the splines are - it's not just "a spacer" it's more metal to distribute the force applied by the shaft to the sprocket over.

Being high-milage and flangeless, my countershaft is somewhat worn in the splines. That happens less if at all with the wider flange (especially if you keep the sprocket splines greased).

Running a flangeless sprocket on a bike intended to have the flange will cause even more problems, because the sprocket will wobble, not being properly restrained side to side.

Take it back and get the right sprocket.