New Chain, Should I Get New Sprockets

I just ordered a new chain. The mechanic told me that I don't need new sprockets, but my friend told me that if I replace chain that I should also replace sprockets because even if the sprockets are good, they will wear the chain faster. What do I do?

 

I assume he "eyeballed" it not a micrometer.
You can change the chain and go. It's cool and will work out fine. Just dont look for the most mileage from the set. Swap all parts and you should expect max mileage/performance.

I am assuming o or x ring chain, decent lube (not 3 in 1, wd-40 or PB blaster), a few adjustments here and there.

 

Yes .......and yes

 

I listen to them before and my chain were shot. The slack on the chain all mess up due to the worn out sprockets

 

thats like you go to the prom with your new suit and you wear your old stale skid marked underware underneath! Chain and sprockets go togther like peanut butter and jelly. Enough :crazy: anal-oh-gees...

Get a new mechanic!

 

I have never changed just one. I have a chain and sprocket set (front and rear) on order as we speak. D.I.D. chans seem to serve me the best. Ordered the X ring this time around.

Send you mechanic back to preschool until he masters that. Then he can work his way up to Motorcycle Colouring Books and eventually get his training to fix them.

 

This is nonsense.

No, just wrong on all fronts.

Without going any further down the rabbit hole on your above quote. Ill say this, don't insult people who you cant measure up to ie, a mechanic.

To the OP the mechanic is correct, i've been a BMW and Ducati and Honda motto service writer in my past and all items on a machine have tolerances and in/out of spec. If the sprockets have a square tooth and aren't pointed (you can google this to understand what to look for on any chain drive system) than your mechanic was correct, wasting money on short term high wear items is foolish, if the chain is worn (stretched) and the sprockets are fine replace the chain with a DID chain and wait till next time to replace sprockets, theres absolutely no reason to do otherwise unless you don't mind spending money for nothing...

 

Makes me think of Jefferson Airplane and Grace Slick singing aboot, "one pill makes you, whateva."

You know, them service writers never really wrenched in the bowels of a garage! If your a service writer dealing with guys/gals that can't afford new shoe laces, then your doing them a serice by selling them a new chain with olde bagged oot sprockets. I bought a new pair of work boots today that have a life time supply of shoe laces!

Maybe, you should sell shoes like All Bundy! WTF?!! Most of the service writers I have seen in my short career involved with motor-sports, really can't find their arses with a funnel! And Thats all the FUCK I have to say aboot Shitty Service Writers, and you should feel priveleged that I capped your shit job description! ound:

 

:flip:
Ha ha

 

You should always replace the power and at the same time also.

 

Get new sprockets!

 

Fer sure dude....thats like changin your oil and not your filter. It gos with out saying ALWAYS....JMO

 

This is my understanding of chain and sprocket replacement guidelines.

If you are replacing a sprocket, replace the chain with it.
If you are replacing a chain, you don't necessarily have to replace the sprocket if it hasn't worn much. But it's nice to do so.

Theory behind it:
Sprocket tooth spacing doesn't change for the life of the sprocket. Even a partly worn sprocket will fit a new chain as it matches the link spacing.
Chain link spacing will increase with wear. Chain 'stretch' will rapidly wear out a new sprocket into the shape of the old sprocket.

It's routine in the bicycle racing world to replace the chain a few times before changing sprockets, as most bicycle riders are trying to conserve their expensive rear cassettes and crank rings.

In motorcycles, I think it's "meh, do whatever" as sprockets are relatively cheap compared to o-ring chains. Some riders are happy to use 2 sets of chains per set of sprockets. It might work out to be more economical to replace the chain alone when the sprocket's OK if you generally get a mechanic to wrench for you, as your savings in labour costs might offset the potential decreased mileage of the old sprocket. In AU a chain costs around $200 and this might only need 30min labour; a full set might cost $350-400 in parts alone, plus 1-1.5hrs shop labour. Of course this only applies if the sprocket is hardly worn - if the teeth are starting to look more spiky than square I'd definitely replace the whole lot.

 

Service writers are usually the dudes who after about thirty seconds into a conversation tell you that your vehicle has been infected with the Bubonic Plague and only he can see that it gets fixed for five grand when all you wanted was an oil change.

 

Chains stretch? That is some incredible force. I'll admit I've heard of chains wearing, but stretching is a new one for me.

 

its all a bit of a dark art that only bragging egotistical people know the answer. Its the same for split links , "oh you must never use a split link on a road bike chain" yet My freindly Turbo'd Hyabusa drag racing friend and all of his racey palls use them on the strip . 300bhp flat out for quarter of a mile and the split links never snap , in fact other parts of the chain have snapped and the split link makes for an easy change .

if the sprockets are good then just do the change , you will know yourself by spinning the back wheel ( whilst on centre stand) if with the new chain fitted it is noisy or clunky then it needs sprockets if not then its fine .

 

Why did you order a new chain? Mileage? Excess slack? Worn sprockets? Rust? Tight spots?

IMO replacing sprockets every time you replace the chain is like turning the rotors every time you change brake pads: not a bad idea, but not necessarily needed. Just be aware that you may not get the mileage out of the new chain that you got out of the original. If you plan on buying the top-of-the-line chain for big bucks, then spring for new sprockets. If you go mid-range chain, then, if the sprockets aren't noticeably worn, use the old sprockets.

FWIW I replaced my original chain at 19,000 miles with a DID chain and did not change the sprockets. I now have 38,000 miles on the bike. At 35,000 miles I replaced the original sprocket with a 45 tooth rear, and there was some wear so it would have been replaced this time around. The countershaft sprocket is the original. I'll probably replace the chain next year at around 40,000 miles. I'll check the countershaft sprocket at that point and decide whether to replace it, but probably will.

"Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer cherce."

 

We have not heard from the chain and sprocket sales dudes yet.

 

all chains strech, that is why chain gauges are made. change sprockets with chain is a must