Chain and Sprocket Stress

[BassWoW]

Okay, I know I need to replace my chain and sprockets...

My situation is I ride 110 miles every day for work and I'd like to not replace it until I get paid again.

The chain is making a horrible noise as it rotates. I believe my front sprocket is messed up from the PO but what does the hooking imply?

The chain is tight on one end when it goes over the front sprocket and as I rotate it more the chain has super slack  I dont want to overtighten it..

can someone give me some insight?

[RossLH]

If the sprocket is badly hooked, it should be replaced. Wouldn't hurt to replace the chain while you're in there either.

[BassWoW]

what does a hooked sprocket show signs of?

[adidasguy]

#5252

A chain that gets tight then slack is a bad chain. You have links that are tight. Links that can not bend and straighten out will wear out the sprockets.

When they go over a sprocket, they probably are curved so the chain gets slack. When the tight links are between the sprockets, they are not straight. You'll see some in a zig-zag. that takes up the slack and the chain will suddenly be tight.

Either the chain is rusted or the PO didn't oil it. When a dry chain gets oiled, the o-rings can swell up making the links tight as hell. I had that happen. Some links I could not move even with pliers. Only solution is to replace the chain. Replace the sprockets as well because the kinky chain will wear out the sprockets as it tries to go around them but can't bend to conform to the curve then straighten out again. and that is where the noise on the front sprocket comes from.

Replace the chain and both sprockets. You can get good kits for under $100.

PS: A hooked sprocket has teeth that are badly work away on one side  and they start to look like a shark fin.

This shows signs of that.

[BassWoW]

Great Thanks! I saw some rust on one of the links. Whats the average life of a chain?

[Bluesmudge]

A well cared for O-ring chain (kept clean, lubed and in spec) should be able to last 20,000 miles. A poorly cared for chain might only last half that. If the bike has sat for a very long time rusting and drying out or has a non-oring chain expect much less life from the chain.

[BassWoW]

  great thanks

[Ravo]

Just a heads up since it's not mentioned. You have a stock 16 tooth front sprocket and a 39 tooth rear sprocket. For long distance travel I'd recommend trying a 17 tooth front sprocket. It will make the bike run at a slightly lower RPM. It could soften the engine's buzz on the freeway.

[BassWoW]

I've been looking into a 17 Tooth sprocket... The only thing I want to know more about is if 2-up is extremely unstable with it? has anyone had any experiances with it?

[mitch79]

I've ridden two up with a 17t front sprocket. No problem taking off from stationary. The two of us combined weigh in at about 320lb. Ideally, if I was to ride with a pillion on a regular basis a 15t sprocket would be better but the 17t is fine for the occasional pillion passenger and much nicer for 95% of the riding I do.