Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Chain change

My chain is going on 20,000 miles. Now I'm pretty religious about lubricating and maintenance. With that said how much longer can I expect the chain to last. I want to go on some long rides this year with out stressing about being stranded with a broken chain.

The sprockets are probably a better indicator in this case, and the sprockets and chain should be replaced as a set.

You have to know what you're looking at... wear on the sprockets shows on the rear side of the driving (front) sprocket teeth and on the front side of the driven (rear) teeth. Instead of a symmetrical "U" shape, the worn side will be exaggerated. If the sprockets look ok, there is a measurement for chain wear. First you need to examine the chain for damage, loose pins, or excessively tight or loose joints. Then the manual says (with the chain guard and sprocket cover removed) you need to hang a 20-40 lb. weight on the bottom of the chain and measure the length of 20 links on the top side, from the center of a pin to the center of the 21st pin away from that. The service limit is 321 mm. Measure several different sections of the chain...

Or at 20k miles you could just replace the chain and sprockets and put your mind at ease.

I changed mine somewhere before 20k - it seemed like a good thing to do at the time because the wear on my sprockets was very evident. Some guys run them till they look like a saw blade....

Deon, that was one of the best descriptions of what to look for I've ever heard, and I think you covered all the basses. Maybe we should start calling you Professor Deon.
Chip

Deon did explain it well. I have to confess, i don't necessarily follow directions. Personally, i seem to replace two front sprockets before 1 chain replacement, and two chain replacements before replacing the rear sprocket. Everything wears at a different rate. However i wouldn't argue with replacing all three pieces together.

I replaced mine at 24,000 but it should have been replaced at 22,000 becuase it was making funny noises. Don't forget the cush drive while you've got the wheel off.

Didn't think about the sprockets. sigh got more shopping to do. Know of any after market rear sprockets out there, Brent has only the front ones.

your thread got me thinking about the condition of my chain also. I figured, I have my wheels off so now would be a good time.
Anyway...looking into aftermarket sprockets I cam across this site: stealth sprocket I may go with one of these if I can get it in something other than gold.
Ive also found this site again: truth about chains. Seems a little biased but read carefully and it becomes more honest info than biased.

Sorry...back to sprockets. I know our vendors sell aluminum sprockets but I dont see how one of those will last longer than the one on the bikes (I dont think its aluminum but not sure what it is. Anyone now what its made of?). Bike Bandit lists out sprockets at about $76. Only a few bucks more than aftermarket.

My bad Brent does have rear sprockets and there in black. Did see the bike bandit ones as well for about the same price. Just need to decide which look I want and look into the material issue as well.

JT Sprockets

JTR1332 is the correct one for our bikes.

Good little tidbit on chain lubing on your link Z, says the village mechanical idiot.

Thanks guys.