RE: [ST] Chain / Sprockets - where to buy, what to buy

["Ken Mitchell" <kp.mitchell@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Garry,

If the rear sprocket is looking a little "tired", the front is probably
"toast". I changed mine at about 32K, and that was way too late. (The chain
had been changed from original, however.)

Just one warning about going to a larger rear sprocket without checking
chain length...

When I went to Metzeler Sportec M-1 tyres, I had a problem with the rubber
hitting the swingarm. I needed to add a link to the chain, and of course
that's not so easy, because it's an extra master link and a half-link. Now I
have a slightly too-short D.I.D. 530 VZM Gold chain in storage. I don't know
if it's ever get more than the 8K miles that are on it. Truthfully, I don't
know if I had just made the D.I.D. chain too short with worn-out sprockets,
or was the Metzeler (one of the very first made) just running "on the big
side" ? 

The point is that all three make up the sprocket center distance, and tire
diameter is another variable. 

I do recommend Suntour sprocket for the rear, it's the O.E.M. for Triumph.
I've had one from Sprocket Specialist be out-of-round on the bore, and seen
a report of the same from another rider. Others have not had trouble, but
it's not worth the risk IMO. Like you pointed out, the quality of the
orginal Triumph front sprocket seems exceptional so I'm sticking with their
own 18T.

The D.I.D. X-ring chains now seem to come with the rivet-type master link
(and they're open-ended, otherwise you'd have to remove the swingarm to get
it on.) The D.I.D. rivet tool is the best quality I've ever seen, though I
don't own one myself (yet.) I have used the MotionPro version, and it works,
just not very sturdy.

hth

Ken M.
'00 RS
Spencer MA USA

- -----Original Message-----
From: Garry Simmons
Subject: [ST] Chain / Sprockets - where to buy, what to buy

15K miles and the rear sprocket is looking a little tired. I don't know if
it's in the "replace me now" range or not. Haven't actually checked the
chain using the 321mm for 20 link test. I've got a lot of rides plus maybe a
track day coming up, so I figure I'll just bite the bullet and put new
chain/sprockets on along with the new rubber that is on its way. I'll take
better care of the new set. Promise.

The factory service manual claims my 2002 RS comes with a 108 link DID
X-ring chain. I changed the front sprocket to an 18T shortly after getting
the bike and am thinking about going to 18/45 (up 2 in the rear) for even
more snap. All reports that I've read indicate that the stock 108 will work
fine with 18/45 although the rear wheel will be more forward. Slightly
shorter wheelbase is not a bad thing IMO.

So I'm looking for recommendations on where to buy DID X-ring chain. I'm
going to order the Triumph front sprocket because it's got the rubber on it
to keep it quiet. The stock rear sprocket is a 43T SunTour. I'm looking for
recommendations on where to buy a 45T steel sprocket (not sure I want to pay
extra for hardened aluminum). Triumph prices for sprockets are high. I can
only imagine what they charge for a chain.

Finally, I need to get the chain on the bike. Does the chain come endless or
open? If  open, I'll go with the DID rivit master link, not a clip. DID
advertises their own chain tool for the X-ring chain. Is is really
necessary? If the chain is endless, how big a deal is it to remove the
swingarm? Does anyone bother or do you just break the chain and put a master
link in it?

Garry


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