Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Chain life?

Currently have 31,000 miles on original chain, now its time for a new chain set. How long did you go b4 changing the chain set?

20k

21,000 and still going with almost no lubing.

25,000 - chain and sprockets still look like new (clean and lube regularly).

Oh ,you reminded me, Never cleaned my chain ...ever.

cleaned mine twice

I changed mine at 25000 but it was wornout at 20000. The last 5000 miles it made some strange grinding noise. No, it was not too tight or not lined up eather.

22 K. Never cleaned, but occasionally oiled with various sticky airesol can sprays.

I changed mine at about 20,000 it needed it thats 4 sure. Sprokets were well worn.plus could not adjust the slack out any more..

24,500 miles so far. I clean and lube every 250 miles.

I know I'm not in the running for the most miles, but I did do something to help ease the cleaning prosses. I put a master link in so I could take the chain off and clean it off the bike. I hate creating more work for myself by sloping chain grunge all oveer the bike. It was expensive, but then again I got it form the stealer, $10. and change. If every link on the chain were to cost that much, a new chain would be 500.00 dollars or more. BTW. the chain and sprockets are showing no wear at 9,000 mi., lubed twice and cleaned and lubed again last week.

I have replaced the chain and sprockets five (5) times. Three times on Vera Lynn and twice now on Cinnamon Girl. I average 20,000 miles on a kit. It really blows when the two motorsickles sync on the 20K threshold, as happened recently. That and changing out the tires. April cost me 7 c notes.

Quote:

---

The sprockets look so good I would be tempted to put a new chain on them even though I know that is a no no.

---

Now Ian, ya shocked me there
You would be the last one I would expect to replace sprockets "just because you're supposed to".
I base this on the fact that you're "supposed to" lube your chain every 500 or so miles and....um...you don't.

And you've had good results.

And whereas I am kind of anal about lubing my chain (even though my results seem to be the same as yours ) I won't change my sprockets until they have noticeable wear.

Go figure

Are you saying that you put a new chain on used sprockets Bill?

Sure. If they're not worn, why change them?

I know, I know, the conventional wisdom is to change them as a set, but I've a feeling that particular CW is one that is promoted by the chain and sprocket manufacturers.

It certainly won't do any harm (except maybe financially) to put all new stuff on, but if I can't tell any difference between the old and the new wear wise, what's the point.

Search the net and you'll find all kinds of opinions. Just like here.

My current chain has almost 14,000 miles on it. The sprockets have 35,000 miles. There's still no noticeable wear and the chain is doing just fine, thank you.

OK, Bill, I have never done that except on my dirt bikes as a kid but am willing to give it a shot if by the time my chain is done my dry sprockets still look good. Probably change it end of this season. (maybe)

I'm with you guys. Replace what needs replacing, when its needed.
I use the "book" as a reference, but I quit doing things "just because the book says", about the same time I quit checking my cars tire pressures once a week.