Drive Chain and Sprockets

[franhoser]

Just havea general question. I have a 15T counter sprocket and planning on reducing to 14T. Do I need to change the chain and in turn change the rear sprocket as well? I have about 5000km on the system. The chain and the rear sprocket looks good still.

Can I get away with just swapping the counter sprocket?

 

[cactusreid]

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lots of people go through 2 countershaft sprockets in the time it takes to wear out a chain and rear sprocket. so change away! in a perfect world ( one filled with vast amounts of money!) you would change all 3 parts at the same time,but alas,that's not the way most of us live.

 

[old trials guy]

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I have wouldn't hesitate. Countershaft sprockets typically wear at a higher rate than rear sprockets (makes sense as they turn faster and have less load bearing surface) and often are replaced at a higher frequency than rears. My experience is front sprockets wear out about twice as fast as rears.

There are those that thinkyoumust always replace all three components at the same but I can't afford to throw out good chains and sprockets.

otg

 

[tomcycle]

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It depends on what kind of riding you do

I replace all three pieces in December so when I go to Baja I will have no problems while on a extended trip that costs 1000s of dollars and have it come to a end for a 90.00 chain or 40.00 sproket. Again this is something I learned from experiance:gaah:

If you are just riding around town or do 1 day trips, change as required, but genrally change the rear sprocket the same time,


Tom

 

[Randaroo]

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so....I take from this that a factory original chain on a KLR should get 22000 befor replacement? Mine is loaping and kinking, making a real racket all of a sudden. It stretched yesterday like pulled toffee, the adjustment to get home was quite significant.

I'm assuming the original chains are junk(2007)what isthe good replacementchain?

Should I assume if the chain is junk the sprokets will be too? Replacement sprokets every time the junk chain gets changed?

 

[Buck]

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The original KLR chain is not junk but you can't really expect a dualsport to go 22K on any chain, original or not. Your chain is obviously worn out, so yes, change both sprockets as well.

 

[Randaroo]

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Thanks for all this.

I guess I ride more than I used to or time is accelerating, hey Albert, stop that !

I'm not used to buying several tires a year, a battery every few years and then the drive train too. As I formulate my retirement strategy where cheap transport will be pivitol to my (sense of) sanity, the costing, reliability of everything looms larger in my vision.

Thought: that the reliability of the body is inversly proportional to the need for greater reliability of the machines.

cheers and thanks.

Ouch, where did that new pain come from?

 

[mint400]

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I'd add when you get new sprockets, compare them to the old sprockets in terms of shape and measurement... sometimes there is negligible difference between old and new teeth so you can continue to use the old ones. any visible shark fins or worn-in teeth pockets and you need to change... the danger lies in a fit mismatch that will stress the chain killing it prematurely... the 5k front 10k rear and chain rule seems accurate to me...

If your chain kinks it is garbage... don't drive around with a marginal chain ever. people take pride in their wd40 soaked 25000KM chain... this is lunacy in my opinion... chains are cheap and second only to brakes in life taking importance. regular replacement and recommended lubricant is great insurance

I've once had a surprise rear wheel lockup with corresponding bench press, followed by a 2KM push home... that "learned me" not to wheelie with a kinky wd40 chain