Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods Changed from 18t sprocket on 2011 speedy

To a 17 or 16, cant remember right now, anyway the new sprocket does not have the rubber around the perimeter just below the teeth like the stock one has.
It has more pep due to the lower ratio, but I swear I can feel the chain buzzing/vibrating more, am I crazy? Does that rubber cushion the chain somehow for a smoother ride?

Yes it sure does , same with the cush drive on the rear hub.

Ok, I'm going back to stock, unless I can find one with rubber!
Thanks Dog

They also dampen the initial thrust when the clutch is let out both at start and when shifting.

No rubber on my sprocket

Either the original or the replacement. Must be something on newer bikes, and something to wear out faster.

I can see how it would dampen some buzz, but I never noticed any.

My bike had the rubber piece in the front sprocket from 04 and the new one has it too.I changed mine out at about 23,000 miles and there is no sign of any kind of failure on the rubber part at all but slight wear on the teeth.

( Maybe if you oil your chain it may damage the rubber part. )

My stock 16t has it, but the 18t did not, and I don't think the 17t front that came in the America chain & sprocket set from Triumph did either.

For what it's worth, I don't think I could feel any difference other than from the change in ratio. I'll never have anything but the 16t on her again, though. Makes all the difference in the world, and I'm running 80 as much as I can. 5K RPM and HAPPY!

Maybe I need to order a 16t with the rubber, I guess the Triumph dealer could do that!

Mine is a 16 tooth, maybe that is the difference. Love the 16 too and I go on long rides over the summer on the slab across several states.I run 80+ all day long and can run well over the indicated ton.

I ordered a 16t sprocket from Triumph, it came with rubber!
I just installed it and it is noticeably smoother, I recommend it..............

I have also noticed that since I went to an 18 tooth, the vibration is considerably more noticeable. No rubber on the 18, the 17 had it.

I looked at my original again, it does have rubber. The new one is solid, but I haven't noticed any vibration. Not to say that there isn't, just not noticeable to me.

'course I vibrate anyway.........

Probably not a big difference Bill, I imagine someone like me who rode the old Triumphs probably wouldn't notice.I can still see in my minds eye how my front tire would move from vibration while sitting at a stop.

+1 Ian.I remember that front end shimmy very well.