Little while ago I posted about crashing after my front sprocket came off in a bend. I put on a new chain, new sprockets and a new circlip, as far as I was aware everything was in alignment and if it was out, it certainly wasn't out by enough to cause noticeable handling issues. The shaft splines were / are also in good condition.So I rode on for another couple of thousand miles before, lo and behold, it happened again, thankfully only about a meter from my house. At that point it became obvious there was a problem and the previous lost sprocket wasn't the freak event I had thought it was (initially thought the circlip must have corroded through). Tried to put everything back on the next day to see if I could work out why it was doing it, and it did exactly the same thing despite the fact I couldn't pull the sprocket off or get the circlip to budge with my hands. Haven't ridden it since and that was several months ago.
Then I realised, I was riding with the sprocket on backwards (flange facing out) for about 30,000 miles (over the course of several sprockets). :oops: :oops: :oops:
Could this have caused the sprocket to come off? Obviously the bike is off the road until I can find out exactly why it's happening and fix the issue, but I feel like this could be a reasonable explanation (i.e. the only one I've got). I'm also tempted by tapping a thread into the small hole in the center of the drive shaft so I can bolt a metal disc or something similar to act as an emergency barrier to the sprocket coming off completely if the circlip and sprocket somehow come loose again. Would this be possible or would the metal be too hard?
Cheers,
Meuryn
definitely a problem if it's mounted reverse, as one side is wider than the other (a front sprocket isn't symmetric).
Also check to see if your rear wheel is aligned correctly.
Yes ,fitting the sprocket backwards could cause problems.The front sprocket on all but earlier models is offset,so fitting it the wrong way wont be nice for chain alignment.That said i dont know the exact way this can cause it to lose it's retaining clip.
I say keep an eye on it for some time to be sure that cures the problem.Dont be shy about getting an expert to check it- this is about safety after all
Yes Meuryn, I believe the reversed sprocket was probably the cause of your problems. If the groove for the circlip has not been damaged you could most likely put it together again with the front sprocket hub inwards and with the rear wheel aligned or close to it and be good to go.
With your front sprocket mounted backwards and the rear wheel properly aligned the chain would be constantly pushing the sprocket outwards against the circlip every turn it made trying to align it with the rear sprocket. If that was a left turn you lost the sprocket in the weight of the sprocket and chain would be added to the load trying to remove the circlip and push the sprocket off the shaft.
Another member posted recently inquiring about drilling and tapping the shaft end to retain the sprocket because his circlip groove was damaged.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=68946.0