 Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 231
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I replaced my stock sprockets and chain either two or three years ago. I can't remember which, but I have put less than 15k miles on the bike since then. Today while cleaning my chain I noticed that the rear sprocket teeth have been broken off for the most part. I can't figure out why this happened. I still have the OEM sprocket and it looks a lot better than this. The front sprocket looks great and the chain seems sound. Obviously, the rear needs to be replaced, but I'd like to know what I am doing wrong that would have caused this. The rear is a 42T Sprocket specialists Titan Tough. I've been riding for almost 40 years and have never seen this. I'll try to post some pictures below. Ted  
Send lawyers, guns and money, cause the sh*t has hit the fan!
-W. Zevon
2020 Bud Ekins T100
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 Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,735 Likes: 7
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,735 Likes: 7 |
That was an aluminum sprocket, right? Those are junk, I only got like 6000 miles out of mine, and fasteddy stopped carrying them because they suck. Mine had needle teeth when I changed it out.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Yes, SS TT sprockets are aluminum; they can't take the torque. and the smaller the sprocket, the faster they wear...
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64 |
Probably lubed it.  
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
If you did everything right, I would say bad heat treat on that rear. The wear should be fairly equal on both sprockets, if anything the front should show a tad more wear than the rear, which leads me to guess/assume the heat treat is at fault. Heck, put the original rear (flipped over) back on, and replace it all, when the time comes or not, your call, of course.
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Didn't realize it was an aluminum sprocket, never mind.
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Looks like your chain was run a bit loose. Unfortunately, chain adjustment is an anal retentive commitment, given an aluminium sprocket.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 231
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Well, I expected that I might be the culprit in this. I need to do a better job at keeping my chain adjusted. I still think this is weird. I've abused bikes in my youth. Never saw something like this.
So what should I buy? Like I said the front sprocket looks good, the chain seems good. So, should I replace them all?
If so, should I go back to the OEM sprocket and reverse it? The one hanging on a nail in my basement after 7-8 years of riding looks a lot better than the one on my bike. Obviously it lasted longer.
What should I buy when I replace it all?
Ted
Send lawyers, guns and money, cause the sh*t has hit the fan!
-W. Zevon
2020 Bud Ekins T100
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Unless the chain has streched I would continue to run it. How many miles on the OEM rear sprocket? Any visible wear or damage to it? If not, I would reinstall the steel rear sprocket & just run it...
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
I read up on aluminum sprockets and in short... NO BUENO! Eddy has the OEM steel sprockets for a good price: Fasteddysports.com
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,735 Likes: 7
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,735 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
Unless the chain has streched I would continue to run it. How many miles on the OEM rear sprocket? Any visible wear or damage to it? If not, I would reinstall the steel rear sprocket & just run it...
+1, that's what I would have done if I hadn't chucked it when I swapped in the first place. 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 109
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2009
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Aren't the oem sprockets made by Sunstar?
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 231
Adjunct
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I had probably 25-30k on the old one. But ya know. If I'm gonna have to pull the rear wheel anyway... I might just as well suck it up and replace it all. Hopefully this will be a good, yet expensive lesson on chain maintenance. Gonna think on it. Thanks Ted 
Send lawyers, guns and money, cause the sh*t has hit the fan!
-W. Zevon
2020 Bud Ekins T100
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
Quote:
... I might just as well suck it up and replace it all...
Why? IMO pulling the rear wheel isn't that big of a deal. If it were mine, I'd swap the rear sprocket, & run the stuff until its time to replace everything.
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
25K? You should have a lot of miles left on that sprocket, just re-install it and run it. Mine had 40K when I replaced it and the only reason I did was to go to a lower ratio.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Quote:
... I might just as well suck it up and replace it all...
Why? IMO pulling the rear wheel isn't that big of a deal. If it were mine, I'd swap the rear sprocket, & run the stuff until its time to replace everything.
Your at 15K now on the current chain kit. The rollers will have suffered as they rubbed up against jagged edges. my experiance has been the kits lasting approximately 20K.
Given the above, I'd too would put the oem sprocket on. Additionally, I would go ahead and purchase a chain kit, installing same only when the knuckley sound gets to be down right annoying (or a multi tank-to-tank ride looms).
When you pull the rear wheel it is not necessary to relax the chain adjusters. Thus re-installing the wheel takes simple no time. Partially insert the axle through the swingarm hole (drop out hole) just enough to hold the caliper plate then finish lowering the bike over the wheel. Pull back on the wheel and using the palm of your hand beat the axle in then look at the right side and pull/beat accordingly. The palm of your hand will not damage any inanimate objects including the chain adjusters. You have to ensure these are lined up with the drop out holes. When changing out a rear tire gets to be a pita, is when the tire is flat. Then you have to lift the rear up onto the lift arms. A grunt-lift-relax, followed by several more grunt-lift-relaxes gets the frame rails on the jack arms without causing a hernia.  It helps to have a luggage rack. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
Well, I expected that I might be the culprit in this. I need to do a better job at keeping my chain adjusted. I still think this is weird. I've abused bikes in my youth. Never saw something like this.
No worries. A too loose chain for aluminium is where most of use run our chains with steel. Heck if we can't be bothered with lubing the chain every 300 miles, are we going to critically adjust the chain every three hundred miles? 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,243 Likes: 64 |
Quote:
The wear should be fairly equal on both sprockets, if anything the front should show a tad more wear than the rear
The front should wear slightly faster in most cases, being a smaller dia. it has to turn more times per distance of chain than the rear so each tooth of the front is in contact with the chain more times. That being said when I changed my set out at 23,000 more or less the rear showed no wear and the front only slight wear.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 231
Adjunct
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OP
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Posts: 231 |
Thanks for all the input. I'm only taking some of it. I think the chain and front sprocket are still good. (We will find out) After riding today, the chain is holding its tension. I have ordered a new rear from eddy. So I am making a gamble that the chain and front have enough life to pay off. If I'm wrong then I will end up buying a new set and it will cost me the price of this sprocket in addition.
The tip on removing the wheel is great. I'm gonna print that out so its handy.
Thanks
Ted
Send lawyers, guns and money, cause the sh*t has hit the fan!
-W. Zevon
2020 Bud Ekins T100
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Re: Rear sprocket disintegration
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Quote:
25K? You should have a lot of miles left on that sprocket, just re-install it and run it. Mine had 40K when I replaced it and the only reason I did was to go to a lower ratio.
Bigbill has an excellent point, I've never understood why so many fill the need to replace chains and sprockets so often.
If your not on the race circuit, what's the point? If the system is well maintained and lubed it will last a very long time.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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