Need advice with sprocket/chain problem

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by Amdek, Mar 30, 2011.

  1. Amdek

    Amdek New Member

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    Ok, so I did a new RK chain and sprocket install last month.

    Cleaned the chain for the first time yesterday and noticed it has some serious tight spots, going from too loose, to too tight. I did the whole check by marking points on my wheel and on the chain where it was tight and loose and concluded the problem was with the rear sprocket, not the chain.

    I loosened the bolts holding the sprocket and re set it and sure enough the tight spots/loose spots were exactly in the same places.

    Is there something potentially wrong with the VFR? ( thinking wheel bearing,... maybe??) or did RK send me an out of round rear sprocket?

    Edit: sprocket does seem to be out of round slightly, ~1mm

    pic for clicks

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2011
  2. 02 VFR Rider

    02 VFR Rider New Member

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    sounds like you put the chain on too tight on the first go.
     
  3. crewwolfy

    crewwolfy New Member

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    If the chain or wheel were to do this to the sprocket, wouldn't it have occurred around the entire sprocket, as opposed to just in specific spots? Sounds like a new sprocket is a must, but obviously curious about the cause.
     
  4. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    "Made in China"
     
  5. crewwolfy

    crewwolfy New Member

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    RK chains are made in Japan, I believe..
     
  6. ZenMoto

    ZenMoto New Member

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    I've had nothing but bad luck with RK products, especially their chains. Last one I had lasted only 4000 miles or so and had to be adjusted every 4-500 (I kid you not). ...if you're using RK, I'd suggest the whole package is out of whack! lol

    Good luck, hope it turns out to be something simple, at least the sprockets are relatively cheap!
     
  7. Amdek

    Amdek New Member

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    Thanks for the replies. I took apart parts of the rear assembly yesterday, bearings appear to be ok. Would it be out of line for me to contact RK about this? I mean what is the acceptable "out of round" for a sprocket (I think mine has ~ 1-2mm play)
     
  8. Amdek

    Amdek New Member

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    Could that warp a sprocket from being round? I always had on the high end of a hair over an inch of play on the adjustment.
     
  9. 02 VFR Rider

    02 VFR Rider New Member

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    I would say it is within tolerance +/- 1mm and that would not cause a tight spot in the chain nor would the chain do that to the sprocket.
    You could try to contact them and maybe if they really stand behind their product they will give you another chain.
     
  10. Griffo

    Griffo New Member

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    Similar problem but new bike

    So my 10' 800 has 4500k's on it my first chain adjustment at 1800km (800 ks after its first service done by Honda) i noticed that the chain had a tight spot in it. To give you an idea of how bad its is if i tighten the chain right up so there is the smallest amount of movement possible at the midway tight spot, if i then turn the wheel 180 degrees around there is over an inch of slack easily enough for it to touch the swing arm. I spoke to the dealer ship they said it probably just because its new and might have a tight link let it bed in a bit. 4500ks now and the problem is still there i have been making sure i adjust it to the tight spot but it hasn't changed a bit so tonight i did the test that Amek did, as it is tight in the exact same spot even though the chain has been moved half a revolution i figure one of the sprockets is not true. The rear sprocket is has such tight tolerances that i don't think that it could be adjusted. Any help would be great and what are the allowable tolerances???
     
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