2014 chain / sprocket issue

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by usedkubotaman, Dec 4, 2019.

  1. usedkubotaman

    usedkubotaman New Member

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    My 2014 is having sprocket / chain issues. Bike only has 6K miles on it and the rear sprocket is out of round. The chain gets tight and loose as you rotate the wheel. I figured it was the chain so I bought a new DID chain. No difference. I replaced the rear sprocket with a new Honda stock sprocket, again same outcome. So I bust out the dial indicator and start searching. It seems the new sprocket is about 12 thousands high at its highest point. That point is the same point where the chain gets tight. The wheel on the bike runs true and there are no bearing issues. No damage what so ever to the bike.

    It seems there may be a manufacturing issue with the hub or Honda simply didn't keep there tolerances tight enough on the sprocket. After some manipulation of the rear sprocket combined with the dial indicator I was able to get it pretty close and very little noticeable change int he chain as it rotates.

    Has anyone else ever had any issues like this? Any premature chain sprocket issues?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    Just cleaned and lubed my chain while I was getting rear wheel valve fixed, didn’t see any problems after 30K. Hope your fix works out.
     
  3. fink

    fink Member

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    12thou as in 0.3mm ? the thickness of 3 cigarette papers.

    Sounds as if you have a chain that is wearing unevenly. did you replace chain and sprocket at same time? If not then the worn sprocket will wear the chain in the same fashion.
     
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  4. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    JMO of course, but I've never owned a bike, that I can recall, that the chain hasn't done exactly as you
    describe. That's why most instructions about checking the chain tension recommend finding the tightest
    point on the chain and using that point as reference.

    I guess I'm saying in essence: "They all do that". :)
     
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  5. usedkubotaman

    usedkubotaman New Member

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    FJ12 you may be right, everyone's chain may be like that. I'd like to hear from others, are all the chains like this?? I haven't owned a street bike in years, for all I know my bike has been like this since it was new. At any rate I don't like it!

    I'm going to zero the rear sprocket with the dial indicator and make sure it's true before I put the new chain and sprockets on the street. We'll see how that wears int he future. You'd think they would make the sprocket where they would center themselves, not this one, you can move it slightly on the mounting bolts. It's not wear it's just poorly made.

    Chain and sprocket will all be brand new at the same time.
     
  6. fink

    fink Member

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    They all move about on their mounting bolts. It’s seriously nothing to worry about a chain will always have one point which wears faster. They all do it. Just make sure you lube it properly and regularly that’s what makes the difference in chain life.
     
  7. usedkubotaman

    usedkubotaman New Member

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    Final thoughts, Honda did a poor job with the tolerances on the rear sprocket. It should be a precision fit, maybe splined like the front sprocket. The loose fit cause the sprocket to be out of round, this one was .012 from one side to the other. Doesn't sound like much until you realize every tooth on the sprocket takes up distance as the chain rotates around the sprocket. Suddenly .012 becomes significantly more. It causes premature wear and IMO, an unsafe chain. There's not a reason in the world a bike should wear out a sprocket in 6K miles.

    My solution was to center the sprocket with a dial indicator. Once I did (with new sprockets and chain) the chain remained at the same tension as it rotated around. I did try it without centering the new sprocket, I got the same result as before, tight-loose-tight. Just not a good way to build something, seems dangerous.
     
  8. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    JMO of course, but .012 inch is simply too little to worry about. If it makes you feel good then by all
    means go for it, but it's basically a non-issue from the get-go. Your chain will still wear unevenly no
    matter how concentric everything is. There are too many moving parts, with pins, bushings, and rollers
    all wearing at different rates. I'll bet dollars to donuts that within a few thousand miles your chain will
    be running unevenly once again. I could be wrong, it's happened before, but this time I don't think so.
     
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  9. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    That's an interesting observation; I tend to agree that the small amount of run-out should not be a concern, actually it suggests to me that the tension on the chain was probably too tight as well. As the suspension goes through its travel, the chain tension will also vary considerably, being tightest as the sprockets/swingarm pivot pass through alignment. If you have the chain set too tight, you put extra stress on the chain pins and the sprockets, and my personal theory is this is actually how tight spots form when the chain pins get slightly bent.
     
  10. fink

    fink Member

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    Where did you take your measurements on the sprocket from?
    Are you measuring Teeth tips as you have a DTI?
     
  11. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Right on the money here. The moment you sit on your bike, you have changed how the chain sits on the sprockets. ANd every time you hit a bump in the road that causes the suspension to compress or slack. I believe they are engineered the way they are to allow for stuff like this. If there wasn't some play, the chains would be snapping I think.
    .
     
  12. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    Hard to understand why there is a chain and sprocket issue. When I change out, I change out with OEM sprockets and a good DID chain. I ALWAYS adjust the chain on the loose side and have never had a chain issue other than infrequent adjustments required. I get right around 28K miles from chains. Keep them lubed, adjusted on the loose side, run OEM sprockets and if there are problems with this, something is wrong with either the bike or workmanship. Just another opinion based on experience.
     
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  13. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Suggested new thread title - Killing Ants With A Sledgehammer.
     
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