Chain and sprocket lifespan

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by Richard H, Jul 26, 2015.

  1. Richard H

    Richard H Noble Member

    Oct 26, 2012
    1,132
    300
    Swadlincote Derbyshire England
    Hi guys, been a while since I posted so hello. My wife's 675 Street Triple has now done just over 18000 miles and I was wondering what sort of mileage you could reasonably expect before replacing the chain and sprockets.

    She does not ride the bike hard and I always clean and lube the chain. Currently there are no tight spots, plenty adjustment and it's not noisy but next year we are planning another European trip of over 3000 miles
     
  2. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,066
    1,000
    Central France
    So long as you maintain the chain and sprockets like you say you have been doing you should have no trouble.
     
  3. Keith Inglis

    Keith Inglis Member

    Feb 17, 2015
    18
    18
    Kings Lynn
    I normally get about 26 k out of a chain and a little more out of the sprockets, I do not change the sprockets until they show slight signs of hooking biglad, I ride normally with the odd mad moment :)
    Keith
     
  4. thebiglad

    thebiglad Old fart, still riding !

    Sep 25, 2013
    5,066
    1,000
    Central France
    Hi Keith, just for your general info : in the last 15-20 years and perhaps 150-200,000 mls on a bike I have never needed to replace a chain or chain and sprocket set. I have used the same Scottoiler throughout that time on a variety of bikes and I find it works perfectly at protecting the final drive.
     
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  5. Keith Inglis

    Keith Inglis Member

    Feb 17, 2015
    18
    18
    Kings Lynn
    well that is the advantage of a scott oiler big lad, I use dry lube as my wife was doing her nut when I used a scott oiler even if I turned it down to the min setting she still got oil all over her jacket.
    Keith
     
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  6. Richard H

    Richard H Noble Member

    Oct 26, 2012
    1,132
    300
    Swadlincote Derbyshire England
    So good for a bit longer me thinks. Cheers guys
     
  7. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    6,029
    1,000
    uk
    I was checking my chain today. The tight spot is now set within tolerance on the side stand.
    My question is, If the Sprockets are good, and the chain is in good condition, do the differences between the tightest spot and the slackest spot matter?
     
  8. MickEng

    MickEng Noble Member

    Sep 29, 2016
    1,807
    450
    West Yorkshire
    If the chain is in good condition there should be very little difference between tight and slack positions.
    But you are bang on adjusting it to the tightest spot on the side stand.
     
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  9. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    6,029
    1,000
    uk

    The slackest point is 30mm slacker than the tightest point, Mick.
     
  10. MickEng

    MickEng Noble Member

    Sep 29, 2016
    1,807
    450
    West Yorkshire
    That's a lot of irregular stretch, I don't think your chain is in as good a condition as you maybe thought.
     
    • Thanks Thanks x 1
  11. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    6,029
    1,000
    uk
    Thanks Mike, would you replace only a chain? My sprockets are tip top
     
  12. MickEng

    MickEng Noble Member

    Sep 29, 2016
    1,807
    450
    West Yorkshire
    It is generally best practice to change sprockets at the same time, but if you are certain they are okay leave them.
    Look carefully for any signs of hooking on the sprocket teeth, replace them if you are in any doubt.
    Personally I would then fit a Scottoiler, they will last forever.
     
  13. MickEng

    MickEng Noble Member

    Sep 29, 2016
    1,807
    450
    West Yorkshire
    I'm afraid the biglad is winning Jack, > 150k miles with the same chain and sprockets using a Scottoiler.
    Sounds good to me.
     
  14. GaryM

    GaryM It's him, you know who. Him from you know ....

    Apr 28, 2016
    862
    500
    Patna , Ayrshire
    For the cost of sprockets why take the chance.
    Hope you have a few large sockets and an impact driver or a large breaker bar.
    Pity you don’t live closer to me Jim I have all of those.
    IIRC the torque setting is quite high on the front one. Rear one is fairly easy to remove iirc
     
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  15. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    6,029
    1,000
    uk
    Scottoiler was on the bike when I got it, only it was empty and in need of new nib. the chain was dry and the last owner had the bike for 3000 miles. Both sprockets are A1.
    I mean to strip the hub anyway soon and the price plus sprockets, is only slightly different .I just dont like throwing away serviceable parts.
     
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  16. GaryM

    GaryM It's him, you know who. Him from you know ....

    Apr 28, 2016
    862
    500
    Patna , Ayrshire
    The sprint does have a fair bit of slack in it Mick. More than any other bike I’ve known.

    PS previously had a Sprint GT SE. Was just too tall for me.
     
  17. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    6,029
    1,000
    uk

    Cheers Gary Im ok up to 140Nm, then I can borrow from work, and I have a scaffold pole, which has been used in the past. Your right I should replace all and the kit is a few pounds more.
    I dont like wasting good stuff, you know.
     
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  18. MickEng

    MickEng Noble Member

    Sep 29, 2016
    1,807
    450
    West Yorkshire
    It's the 30mm difference that would concern me a bit Gary.
     
  19. Sprinter

    Sprinter Kinigit

    Aug 17, 2014
    6,029
    1,000
    uk
    I will measure the stretch next time Im tinkering with it. (tomorrow all being well)
     
  20. MickEng

    MickEng Noble Member

    Sep 29, 2016
    1,807
    450
    West Yorkshire
    Put a new nib on and some oil in, you won't regret it.
    You can buy any of the replacement parts from Scottoiler.
    I was looking at converting to double feed which looks like a good improvement on the single feed.
     
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