Actually a dirtbike question - chains/sprockets?
JayC
sprockets? We all know that Renthal chains/sprockets are absolute
junk, but what about DID, RK, EK, etc... ? What about steel
sprockets? Any preferences and/or problems?
JayC
Volker Bartheld
On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:00:36 -0700 (PDT), JayC wrote:
> what about DID, RK, EK, etc... ? What about steel
> sprockets? Any preferences and/or problems?
Regina = sucks
DID = OK (a tad expensive)
RK = OK (good value)
JT = OK
Supersprox Stealth = longlasting (didn't try myself though)
HTH,
V.
--
@: I N F O at B A R T H E L D dot N E T
3W: www.bartheld.net
David Kelly
Thats the kind of thing you really have to answer for yourself. In my
experience and observation modern chains and sprockets are all very good.
Steel sprockets are inexpensive and last several times longer than even
the most expensive aluminum sprockets, but are heavy. Ironman sprockets
are expensive, light, and seem to last longer than anything. The KTM
Hard Parts catalog lists a "stealth" sprocket with steel teeth on an
aluminum core for what most brands charge for an aluminum sprocket. Its
not all that much lighter than an all steel sprocket, but its orange and
black pretty!
I use the KTM stealth sprocket with RK X-ring chain from Rocky Mountain,
and Primary Drive countershaft sprockets. Others I know have been
pleased with Primary Drive X-ring chains but last time I ordered the RK
chain cost less than the PD chain. Thats no longer the case but they are
within $2 or so.
XR650L_Dave
Honda front sprockets must be chosen carefully to avoid spline damage,
at least on the XR650L and on street-going XR600s.
A poor fit or a hardened sprocket will wreck the splines.
Dave
Mike Baxter
wrote:
I pretty much use RK O-ring or X-ring chains. I have been using cheap
steel sprockets, but I may purchase the Ironman sprockets to save on
weight. I found that the steel rear sprockets last a long time and if
you bend one, you can bend it back.
Mike Baxter
justwaitaf...@gmail.com
Bend it back? I have a lot to take in here, ok, noted;)
Mike Baxter
Yes, cheap steel rear sprockets can be bent back with much less fear
of it breaking compared to it's aluminum brothers. It may only be
good enough to get back to the trail head, but it's better than being
stuck with a high performance paper weight in the middle of the great
outdoors.
Mike Baxter
Tiago Rocha
I'm with Baxter. Seems that the cheap sprockets, as long it is made
with 1041 steel, lasts as much as the ones that cost double... I've
been using VAZ and Riffel for sprockets and KMC O-ring for chains with
excellent results.
-- Tiago
JayC
>
> - Show quoted text -
Yea - I agree. I only use $20 steel sprockets myself. The last set I
put on my XR must have 1000 miles on it by now. I can't imagine
bending a rear sprocket though - the steel must be at least 3/16"
thick.
Ironically enough, my son's CR80 chain broke yesterday. It was a non
o-ring DID chain that we put on with new steel sprockets only a couple
of months ago. I think I'll go RK this time around.
JayC
Mike Baxter
wrote:
I have seen a couple bent rear sprockets, but they were from high
speed cart-wheeling bike accidents.
Mike Baxter
Wudsracer
************************************************
>On Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:56:24 -0700 (PDT), JayC <j...@sysmatrix.net> wrote:
>
>Yea - I agree. I only use $20 steel sprockets myself. The last set I
>put on my XR must have 1000 miles on it by now. I can't imagine
>bending a rear sprocket though - the steel must be at least 3/16"
>thick.
>
>Ironically enough, my son's CR80 chain broke yesterday. It was a non
>o-ring DID chain that we put on with new steel sprockets only a couple
>of months ago. I think I'll go RK this time around.
>
>JayC
**********************************************
Jay,
For the CR80R, think about a 428 conversion kit with an o-ring (or
thinner x-ring or xw-ring) sealed chain. It will last a long time,
especially if you use a steel rear sprocket or a treated "titan-tough"
rear sprocket.
Wudsracer/Jim Cook
Smackover Racing
'06 Gas Gas DE300
'82 Husqvarna XC250
Team LAGNAF
JayC
> thinner x-ring or xw-ring) sealed chain. It will last a long time,
> especially if you use a steel rear sprocket or a treated "titan-tough"
> rear sprocket.
I looked into the 428 stuff a little bit before we got the current set
of sprockets/chain. I figured 428 was better than 420, just because
the number was bigger, but after looking at the stock applications, it
seemed like 428 and 420 were basically equivalent - like the 428 size
was an artifact from older technology.
I did just compare a DID std 420 vs. 428 and 428 does have ~10% higher
tensile strength - 4,200 (420) vs. 4,480. Oddly, the DID Gold chain
is 20% stronger in the 428 size.
We'll have to look into that next time around - how do I convert a 420
bike into a 428? Does somebody make conversion sprockets, or do I
have to know which bike has the same bolt pattern? (XR/CRF100s use
428 - maybe the sprockets bolt right up?)
JayC
oldfart
at Hollister Hills with my kid. I bought Sun brand cheap sprockets for
it and it came with a o-ring chain. Once the chain was installed for
me I never had a single problem with the entire setup. I think in the
several years that I rode the beast I only adjusted the chain once. No
wear on the splines either.
Wudsracer
***************************************
>On Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:58:10 -0700, Mike Baxter <mgb***@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>I have seen a couple bent rear sprockets, but they were from high
>speed cart-wheeling bike accidents.
>
>Mike Baxter
*************************************
I bent a rear sprocket sliding sideways into a large rock.
Joshua broke one of those moose aluminum sprockets (the one with the
lattice of "spokes" between the hub of the sprocket and the teeth
ring) sliding sideways into an even larger rock at greater speeds.
They do make kits, Jay.
I think RK makes one.
The main advantage is that the wider 428 chain will throw out mud and
debris a bit better.
David Kelly
>
> Yea - I agree. I only use $20 steel sprockets myself. The last set I
> put on my XR must have 1000 miles on it by now. I can't imagine
> bending a rear sprocket though - the steel must be at least 3/16"
> thick.
Roller width on a 520 or 420 chain is 1/4". Thats what the 20 means,
2.0/8. A standard sprocket for a '20 would be 0.227" thick which is well
over your "at least 3/16" statement.
JayC
> 2.0/8. A standard sprocket for a '20 would be 0.227" thick which is well
> over your "at least 3/16" statement.
Which further reinforces makes my point. I took my calipers to my
XR's sprocket 20 seconds ago, and sure enough, it IS at least 3/16".
Puts it right up there with bending Pro-Taper bars in the "least of
your worries" department.
JayC