No. It's a waste of money. On that I would have replaced 3 sets I've replaced none and still have a good chain after going tru 2 rubbish ones. I'm at least €300 better off. JJHalways change both sprockets with the chain.
basic stuff
New Chain Needed?
- Thread starter joegrimes
- Start date
if the chain has worn, it will have worn the sprockets. how could it not? the teeth and rollers will be at a be at a different pitch. you just can't see it.
read last paragraph admittedly this from someone trying to sell you new sprockets, but like i said, it's basic stuff. you should always change chain and sprockets as a set.
see also here , or just google it.
read last paragraph admittedly this from someone trying to sell you new sprockets, but like i said, it's basic stuff. you should always change chain and sprockets as a set.
see also here , or just google it.
thefooleryoftom
Registered user
If you buy matched sets, they even wear better since they can match the properties of the metals in the chain and sprockets to last longer, so I've heard.
Who is doing this "matching"? Jjh
DaveC
Registered user
I'll add a bit more detail to my earlier post. I researched this extensively for an industrial product development exercise and as part of a technology first degree and a bit more into a masters degree. I mention this just to highlight I'm not just guessing. There are a lot of different opinions about chain 'maintenance', a lot without any factual backup (opinions basically).
Slack in a motorcycle chain is needed primarily because the drive sprocket is not on the end of the swingarm pivot. This causes the sprocket (and wheel) to rotate through a different arc than the chain. There are other factors such as sprocket eccentricity, axle alignment and runout but these are negligible in the case of motorcycle chains.
Checking the slack on a chain is good for detecting stretch and wear within the chain itself. But modern 'o'-ring and 'x'-ring chains are very good at resisting stretch and wear because of advances in manufacturing, material and of course, holding grease where it's needed. Hence a good chain will need very little adjustment in it's working life.
The biggest point of wear is where the chain impacts the sprocket. This is why a device such as a Scottoiler is so good (one of the conclusions of my reaserch). There is no form of lubrication at this point so metal to metal wear is inevitable. A lubrication system that puts oil onto the sprocket faces reduces friction and wear. I have no link to Scottoiler, any similar chain lubrication system will work.
Wear between sprocket teeth and the chain in the early stages cannot be fully (if at all) detected using chain slack, this just indicates the tension between the the two sprockets and the free length of chain. Pulling the chain back off the teeth does show wear because it shows how sloppy the chain is on the sprocket. Unfortunately sprocket wear is not even around the sprocket so only a few of the 30 or so teeth that should be pulling are actually doing any work. Rapid wear in all areas is then a result. Also hooking of the teeth causes meshing and transmission problems.
This is where my research ended in this area. I was actually looking at oil and oil delivery systems for an industrial sponsor, but being a keen biker I edged the project into a more interesting area (for me anyway)! Taking links out of a chain won't help anything unless you want to shorten the wheelbase of your bike. There is lots of advice to change chain and sprocket together to avoid one worn part damaging a newer one, I did not test this but to be honest while you're at it you may as well do both.
Opinions do differ on this subject. I've had many 'discussions' about my findings, I'll expect some more
, I'm not even going to mention opinions on chain oiling/cleaning 
Slack in a motorcycle chain is needed primarily because the drive sprocket is not on the end of the swingarm pivot. This causes the sprocket (and wheel) to rotate through a different arc than the chain. There are other factors such as sprocket eccentricity, axle alignment and runout but these are negligible in the case of motorcycle chains.
Checking the slack on a chain is good for detecting stretch and wear within the chain itself. But modern 'o'-ring and 'x'-ring chains are very good at resisting stretch and wear because of advances in manufacturing, material and of course, holding grease where it's needed. Hence a good chain will need very little adjustment in it's working life.
The biggest point of wear is where the chain impacts the sprocket. This is why a device such as a Scottoiler is so good (one of the conclusions of my reaserch). There is no form of lubrication at this point so metal to metal wear is inevitable. A lubrication system that puts oil onto the sprocket faces reduces friction and wear. I have no link to Scottoiler, any similar chain lubrication system will work.
Wear between sprocket teeth and the chain in the early stages cannot be fully (if at all) detected using chain slack, this just indicates the tension between the the two sprockets and the free length of chain. Pulling the chain back off the teeth does show wear because it shows how sloppy the chain is on the sprocket. Unfortunately sprocket wear is not even around the sprocket so only a few of the 30 or so teeth that should be pulling are actually doing any work. Rapid wear in all areas is then a result. Also hooking of the teeth causes meshing and transmission problems.
This is where my research ended in this area. I was actually looking at oil and oil delivery systems for an industrial sponsor, but being a keen biker I edged the project into a more interesting area (for me anyway)! Taking links out of a chain won't help anything unless you want to shorten the wheelbase of your bike. There is lots of advice to change chain and sprocket together to avoid one worn part damaging a newer one, I did not test this but to be honest while you're at it you may as well do both.
Opinions do differ on this subject. I've had many 'discussions' about my findings, I'll expect some more
, I'm not even going to mention opinions on chain oiling/cleaning
Thank you for posting the results of your findings. Of course in an ideal world changeing both chain and sprockets is the best solution with cost no object. My experiences show that it is not always necessary to replace everything and you can save a bit of money by not doing so. I'm sure I'll be ignored and people will keep replacing components like brake pads,discs, chains and sprockets long before they are at the end of their useful life. This argument will run and run and while interesting at this stage it's well flogged. JJH
Chain
What Dave C says..... beat me to it
What Dave C says..... beat me to it
I'll add a bit more detail to my earlier post. I researched this extensively for an industrial product development exercise and as part of a technology first degree and a bit more into a masters degree. I mention this just to highlight I'm not just guessing. There are a lot of different opinions about chain 'maintenance', a lot without any factual backup (opinions basically).
Slack in a motorcycle chain is needed primarily because the drive sprocket is not on the end of the swingarm pivot. This causes the sprocket (and wheel) to rotate through a different arc than the chain. There are other factors such as sprocket eccentricity, axle alignment and runout but these are negligible in the case of motorcycle chains.
Checking the slack on a chain is good for detecting stretch and wear within the chain itself. But modern 'o'-ring and 'x'-ring chains are very good at resisting stretch and wear because of advances in manufacturing, material and of course, holding grease where it's needed. Hence a good chain will need very little adjustment in it's working life.
The biggest point of wear is where the chain impacts the sprocket. This is why a device such as a Scottoiler is so good (one of the conclusions of my reaserch). There is no form of lubrication at this point so metal to metal wear is inevitable. A lubrication system that puts oil onto the sprocket faces reduces friction and wear. I have no link to Scottoiler, any similar chain lubrication system will work.
Wear between sprocket teeth and the chain in the early stages cannot be fully (if at all) detected using chain slack, this just indicates the tension between the the two sprockets and the free length of chain. Pulling the chain back off the teeth does show wear because it shows how sloppy the chain is on the sprocket. Unfortunately sprocket wear is not even around the sprocket so only a few of the 30 or so teeth that should be pulling are actually doing any work. Rapid wear in all areas is then a result. Also hooking of the teeth causes meshing and transmission problems.
This is where my research ended in this area. I was actually looking at oil and oil delivery systems for an industrial sponsor, but being a keen biker I edged the project into a more interesting area (for me anyway)! Taking links out of a chain won't help anything unless you want to shorten the wheelbase of your bike. There is lots of advice to change chain and sprocket together to avoid one worn part damaging a newer one, I did not test this but to be honest while you're at it you may as well do both.
Opinions do differ on this subject. I've had many 'discussions' about my findings, I'll expect some more
Should one assume that your Master's degree isn't in rocket science?
What you appear to be saying is that moving metal - to - metal contact without lube will cause wear. I'm obliged to you.
thefooleryoftom
Registered user
Yes they sell chain and sprockets. Do they carefully "match" each chain to the sprockets or do they sell the correct sizes? You would get the same matching yourself just by buying a chain and sprockets whatever you get best value. Is there a chain manufacturer who make sprockets? JJH
had you considered that the "matching" post could have been ironic?
thefooleryoftom
Registered user
I wasn't being ironic. Whether it's a) true or b) makes a difference I don't know. I'm one of the "WD40 as chain lube" camp so probably not to be trusted. ��
DaveC
Registered user
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