Chain and Sprocket Longevity :eek

[Whele]

I took my Dakar to Oxford BMW today because it has developed a grinding/graunching noise in the last few hundred miles.

I Just spoke with them on the phone and they tell me it needs a new front sprocket (and recommend changing the chain and rear at the same time). Also the rear cush drive is knackered.

This surprising fact is that the bike is only 10 months old and has done 3200 miles, 1500 of those with a Scotoiler fitted. Even more surprising is that (according to Oxford BMW) it is considered normal wear and tear and therefore not covered by the BMW Warranty.

I’m more than a little pissed at this. My R1 with 150bhp has covered 6500miles and the chain is still like new. Why should a 650 with a pissy 55bhp fail so quickly?

I purchased it second hand…..ahha I hear you say, the previous owner may have abused the bike. Well the previous owner was BMW, it was their demo bike. How the F could you consider a big tour on a bike that need a new drive system every 3000 miles?

Has anybody tried Renthals or found sprocket and chain combi’s that give a better service life?

Signing off very frustrated

 

[G.C.]

This surprising fact is that the bike is only 10 months old and has done 3200 miles, 1500 of those with a Scotoiler fitted. Even more surprising is that (according to Oxford BMW) it is considered normal wear and tear and therefore not covered by the BMW Warranty.QUOTE]

Hi Whele, that’s not acceptable wear and tear.
I got 9K from my last set, no Scotoiler fitted at the time. That’s a mixture of fairly aggressive road riding, say 70% and 30% hard off-road rocky / trail riding and poor maintenance on my part.

I Just spoke with them on the phone and they tell me it needs a new front sprocket (and recommend changing the chain and rear at the same time). Also the rear cush drive is knackered.

Its recommended that you change them all at the same time, I did.

Well the previous owner was BMW, it was their demo bike.

There's your answer. I take the bike is under warrantee ? I know the sprocket set wont be covered but I would have thought that “as a goodwill gesture” BWM would change the set at no cost to you. Be polite and firm, don’t get angry get even.
Good luck, I hope you get it sorted, it will transform the bike.
G C

 

[Dave Hall]

A mate was telling me last month that he got to China & back on one chain...reckons it was draggin on the floor coming back across the UK but got him home.

 

[hovis]

chain &sprockets

Hi Dave my c&s will need to be changed this w/end the mileage is 11300 and I thought this was bad , have you checked to see if the rear wheel is out of alignment as this could wear a chain out quickly
Hovis (the other Dave Hall)

 

[Micky]

A mate was telling me last month that he got to China & back on one chain...reckons it was draggin on the floor coming back across the UK but got him home.

Indeed it did Dave

19,300 miles, through the Gobi Desert etc. No Scotoiler, just sprayed at the end of each day with good chain lube (not while in the sand though!) Thoroughly knackered when we got home. Normal use varies, but averages out at about 12,000 to 18,000 miles... always change the chain and sprockets as a set, rubber cush drives if needed.

 

[(RIP) Yosi]

My 1100GS has done 70k so far with the original chain and sprocket. Just show how good the eleven is. Twelve hundred owners can only dream...

 

[GSmonkey]

Should easily get 20k out of a chain, anything less is premature IMHO.

 

[bgregor]

I did 29k with original chain and sprockets on a VFR800 fitted with a scotoiler. I would have done more but I fancied altering the gearing so I put on a new chain with the new sprockets.
Billy

 

[650EssexBoy]

I'm on 12,000 and no sign of mine wearing out - but I do try and keep it well lubed - to the extent that it's very messy down there! I learnt my lesson with my first bike a 125 which lasted about 3,000 miles before I had to fit a new sprocket and chain set.

 

[skybluebird]

From memory, I covered 7000 miles on my Blackbird (with Scottoiler) without having to adjust the chain. Singles of course put different stresses on a chain, but then I got 7K from a KTM 640 with only 1 or 2 adjustments (not much off-road). I definitely wouldn't consider it "fair wear and tear", more of a "not fit for purpose" fault, and would be looking for a lot of goodwill.

As mentioned, replace all the components together; a worn part will cause premature wear to the new parts. Renthal are very good, Talon are even better and not as expensive as you might expect.

 

[billy56]

From what i have read (probably chain-gang) and on my own dakar the front sprocket usually hooks by 7000-8000 miles and normally it,s two front to one rear and chain. I personaly would only put on a front and see how it goes billy

 

[Micky]

I used to take the piss out of chains you 1100/1150/1200 owners, but when that shaaaaft lets you down then you're shaaaafted!

Yeah OK, I know... I'm having another shafty

 

[carcher2k]

The first chain and sproket set i had on my dakar (from new) lasted but a poultry 4000 miles. Then I fitted a scottoiler, and now use renthal sprokets and tsubaki chains. They look the bis, and are the same price (if not a tad cheaper. you also dont have to take the swingarm out, as the tsubaki is split, unlike the bmw)

Available as a final drive kit from www.bandcexpress.co.uk £96 delivered

I now see at least 14,000 out of a set, though i do ride the sh*t out of mine!

 

[Micky]

The first chain and sproket set i had on my dakar (from new) lasted but a poultry 4000 miles. Then I fitted a scottoiler, and now use renthal sprokets and tsubaki chains. They look the bis, and are the same price (if not a tad cheaper. you also dont have to take the swingarm out, as the tsubaki is split, unlike the bmw)

Available as a final drive kit from www.bandcexpress.co.uk £96 delivered

I now see at least 14,000 out of a set, though i do ride the sh*t out of mine!

Saw a 650 t'other week with a Tsubaki chain fitted. Looked the dogs dangly's. I presume there's no clearance problems!

One thing to consider though is that by taking the swing arm out to replace the chain t'is a golden opportunity to check and grease the swing arm and link needle bearings. (Use fully waterproof grease by the way from a boat chandler, cos ordinary grease aint waterproof!)

Ta for the info

 

[Whele]

The first chain and sproket set i had on my dakar (from new) lasted but a poultry 4000 miles. Then I fitted a scottoiler, and now use renthal sprokets and tsubaki chains. They look the bis, and are the same price (if not a tad cheaper. you also dont have to take the swingarm out, as the tsubaki is split, unlike the bmw)

Available as a final drive kit from www.bandcexpress.co.uk £96 delivered

I now see at least 14,000 out of a set, though i do ride the sh*t out of mine!

Thank you for this advice. I placed my order for the Tsubaki chain and hardened steel front and alloy rear sprockets, £96 inc postage. Do you use the alloy rear sprocket or upgrade to the steel option?

 

[carcher2k]

No probs with clearance. I see what you mean about greasing the bearings and having a general good clean, but I'm a lazy sod for that, and just prefer to get the job done ASAP and go and ride it

I use the alloy one. It comes in silver, looks sweet with the gold chain (even better if you've ditched the horrid black plastic mud guard thingy) and lasts just as long as any other. All round great

 

[Micky]

No probs with clearance. I see what you mean about greasing the bearings and having a general good clean, but I'm a lazy sod for that, and just prefer to get the job done ASAP and go and ride it

I use the alloy one. It comes in silver, looks sweet with the gold chain (even better if you've ditched the horrid black plastic mud guard thingy) and lasts just as long as any other. All round great

Thanks for the info. I'd certainly rather be riding mine too, but if not greased regularly the needle bearings (especially the offside swing arm) end up looking like rusty nails