 Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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I've decided I want to try changing my front sprocket from the stock 17T to an 18T. Somewhere on this forum I read that the Triumph sprocket was better than aftermarket ones because of a rubber gasket or bushing. I assume this is to help reduce any vibration. I would appreciate any input whether there is any difference. There is very little cost difference, just a little more effort to get the Triumph one.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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I don't think there is really any perceivable difference.
You can go with either one, which ever is less $$ or quicker to get.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Hey Bob I went with Brent's and, apart from running less revs (the whole idea), I didn't notice any difference. I had the dealer fit mine during a chain / rear sproket swap and they didn't throw a fit when I asked 'em to fit it. Good luck wherever you go.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
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The Triumph one has some rubber bonded on that *very slightly* reduces chain noise. They have to do this and other seemingly useless rubber attachments such as the snorkles in the airbox to get the total vehicle sound level down enough that it won't disturb the cellphone idiots as they run over us.
If you have made absolutely no other mods to your bike AND have very sensitive hearing, you MIGHT notice the difference in the sound level.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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Quote:
to get the total vehicle sound level down enough that it won't disturb the cellphone idiots as they run over us
LOL! That one will make me smile the rest of the day. So true, so true! 
"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Loquacious
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Thanks guys for the input. I'm still trying to decide if it would be best to go to the 18T. Over 70% of my riding is stop and go around town and 50% of that is riding 2 up. We are going on a huge 60 mile bike ride (last year this event had 400 bikers) and maybe it will help me decide. I guess the only time I really feel the need to change is riding over 60 mph, although it would be interesting to see how it effects the shift range overall. I'll probably get the dealer to do it while getting service and use whatever sprocket (brand) they stock.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
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If your running the 17t now, I'd stay with it, from the sound of your riding style/situation. (If it's not too late.)
I went form the 16t to the 18t on my SM, and, at the time was doing a lot more out of town highway riding (she was new). Now I ride more around town, and though not 2-up, would love to throw that 16t back on. It's not a difficult mod at all - just having the proper tools and finding that right piece of wood to block the sprocket while you back the nut off.
The 17t would be a great compromise, although the 18t gets around just fine. I DON'T think that the 18t should have been the stock choice, however, as it might not be so impressive to a prospective buyer. It has more appeal after one has an appreciation for the lower gear ratio
first.
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Keith, as I understand it, the SMs come stock with a 16T and the TAs come with a 17T due to differences in torque. I guess that my trying a 18T would be similar to your trying a 17T. I haven't changed yet.. still pondering. Went on a Toys4Tots run yesterday (2-up) and realized the bike does runs great like it is. I hardly ride above 75 or so and it is mostly in town riding. Just wish there was a sixth gear on the hwy. I worry about giving up the lower 1st starting up. Like you said, it's not a difficult change, I'll probably give it a try before long.. I can always go back. I only get 35-39 mpg and before the exhaust/carb mods I got about 5 mpg better, BUT, no comparison to performance/sound. The 18T would improve the mileage, maybe back to where it was.
Last edited by RamSound; 11/14/2005 4:20 PM.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Oct 2005
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i have a speedmaster 05 i got the 17 for the america .same output shaft.i like it alot .i only feel it from 3rd gear up .i gained about 3 or 4 hundred rpm's .so now at 70 mph it's turning 3700 .were as before it was at 4100 .18 i think it whould kill the low end to much.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
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I put the 18 on my Speedmaster about 4000 miles ago (2 months) and I've never been happier. I haven't noticed any significant loss on the low end and I don't think I'll ever go back to the 16. I was shifting all the time with the 16. The range on the 18 is so much better for my style of riding (quick take-offs and highway cruising around 85-90).
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
...going on a huge 60 mile bike ride...
?!?!?! Huge.
John
Like a dog on a car ride with my tongue in the wind
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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Quote:
Quote:
...going on a huge 60 mile bike ride...
?!?!?! Huge.
I saw that too. Thought it was a typo. I hope they bring plenty of spare gas and make frequent rest stops. Don't want anyone to get all worn out.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Loquacious
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OP
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Ok guys, riding down the highway with 400 other bikers was HUGE to me. I didn't say LONG bike ride and you failed to copy what followed "ride" (400 bikes).
Last edited by RamSound; 11/16/2005 10:48 AM.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Big Bore
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Big Bore
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Hey Bob, Come winter, these guys get brain freeze pretty early sometimes. They may or may not thaw out by spring....
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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RamSound,
I used to hate freeways until I put an 18T on my BA. Now I don't mind them at all. I did not notice a big difference on start up. I won't go back to the 17T
if life gives you lemons keep them because hey,free lemons.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Old Hand
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Old Hand
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Quote:
Keith, as I understand it, the SMs come stock with a 16T and the TAs come with a 17T due to differences in torque. I guess that my trying a 18T would be similar to your trying a 17T. I haven't changed yet.. still pondering. Went on a Toys4Tots run yesterday (2-up) and realized the bike does runs great like it is. I hardly ride above 75 or so and it is mostly in town riding. Just wish there was a sixth gear on the hwy. I worry about giving up the lower 1st starting up. Like you said, it's not a difficult change, I'll probably give it a try before long.. I can always go back. I only get 35-39 mpg and before the exhaust/carb mods I got about 5 mpg better, BUT, no comparison to performance/sound. The 18T would improve the mileage, maybe back to where it was.
When they originally came out with these sprockets, the SM and America had the same engine. The different sprockets were a tradeoff giving the S/M a bit better low - mid range acceleration and the America a better top end.
Your fuel economy seems to be a little on the low side. Have you checked the colour of the sparkplugs to see how your mixture is?
Of course it could just be that, because I put the Epcos on the weekend after I got the bike, I developed a habit of riding it conservatively because it didn't have near enough miles to fully enjoy the pipes.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Aug 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Your fuel economy seems to be a little on the low side. Have you checked the colour of the sparkplugs to see how your mixture is?
I've checked the plugs and they are just a little black but not really sooty. The firing parts look ok. What should they look like? The gap was slightly greater than spec so I cleaned, adjusted, and replaced them. It seems most everyone is getting better mileage than I am but it seems to run great.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Oct 2005
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when i was at the shop were i bought my bike there was a guy there with a speedmaster.he has 18 on his .he said he rides mostly highway.when he tookoff it sounded like he had to slip the clutch alot to get rolling.that's what i ment with killing low end.17 is nice i'd like to try 18 some day.cruising 85 & 90 sounds pretty sweet to me.ride safe there englishyankee.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 21 |
a guy was at the shop were i bought my bike.with a speedmaster he had a 18 .he rides mainly highway.when he took off it sounded like he had to slip the clutch alot to get moving.thats what i ment by low end loss.i'll try 18 later cruising 85&90 sounds pretty sweet.may the wind always be at your back englishyankee
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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I have the 19T sprocket and I don't have any problems taking off w/andw/o a passenger. I also get great gas mileage. and lower RPMs during cruising. Now I don't miss that sixth gear.
1200CC BIG BORE, W/WISECO PISTONS,.250 STROKED CRANK, PORTED/POLISHED HEADS AND LARGER VALVES, CUSTOM WELDED EXHUAST, DUAL 42MM MIKUNI CARBS.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Freelance Jedi Knight
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Freelance Jedi Knight
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18 front 41 rear and happpyyyy less gearing 5-th is cruising gear and stopped to look for 6-th
Grzegorz
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
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Crack, snap, pop. If you can't roll in the grass with the big dogs, sit on the porch. 
Nad bustin at it's best, as always, no charge.
A word to the wise is not necessary. It is the stupid ones who need the advice.
Pat
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 Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 274
Adjunct
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Adjunct
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I have the BA with an 18 and would like to try the 19. Is yours a Triumph part? If you have the part # , it would help me.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Loquacious
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I got mine from BellaCorse.com but you can also get them from Brent's site, NewSpeedmaster.com. Both have 16-19 available. I've learned a lot since my initial posting of this thread. I'm surprised, from what I've learned, that more people don't consider changing the REAR sprocket. The very next thing I plan to try is leaving the 18T on front and changing the rear to 43T. The rear tooth make less of a dramatic change than the front. 18/43 would be about half way between where I am now (18/42) and stock. I'm waiting until after my Daytona trip. I just wanted a little higher 5th, the change will accomplish what I need and get low gears a little closer to stock. This combo is stock on the 865 Thruxton and T100 and would be what 865 SMs and Bonnie's would have if they change their front to 18T.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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After my recent experience with a couple of sprocket manufacturers, you're lucky to get anything from them that fits. Took me 3 tries and almost 2 months to get a 41 tooth.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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SalMaglie, did you ever get your rear sprocket from Sprocket Specialists?
Michael D. Rodriguez
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Loquacious
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Yep, that's where I ended up getting one after trying to order from their incorrect catalog listing(pn 2696s), and then trying JT Sprockets(which also didn't fit). Finally went back to Sprocket Specialists and ordered pn 2703, which is an aluminum rear sprocket for an America. They said at that time they didn't have one and it'd be 2-3 weeks before they could cut one. They were right, it took about that long. Next time I think I'll just order the Triumph kit from Triumphestore.com , because it cost me just as much to buy the parts individually. Of course I wouldn't get the bling from the gold DID chain, or the shinier aluminum rear sprocket, but I'm not into that for a replaceable maintenance item anyway.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
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Yeah, as I recall, they took a while on my 44T rear as well. The AL is nice, just for the reduction in unsprung weight, but it was sure expensive. I've got a Parts Unlimited X-ring chain that was like $30 cheaper than the D.I.D. but it's holding up just fine.
Michael D. Rodriguez
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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So, I gather if I want a 43T rear, the best place is from a Triumph dealer. The 865 SMs come with a 43 now and it would be a direct fit for an America.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Adjunct
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Adjunct
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Do you know what comes in the kit? I've got over 22,000 miles on my stock chain which is starting to require more frequent adjustments.
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Re: Sprocket-Triumph vs. other
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Loquacious
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The kit comes with front and back sprocket, chain and master link, and the tab washer you bend one edge over to keep the front sprocket nut in place.
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