Just fitted another front sprocket. That's number 3. 12000 miles. Original chain and rear sprocket in good nick. 14 tooth sprocket isna lasting well. Maybe it's the brand ?

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Touratech big guard. Yamaha handlebar guards. Pivot Pegz. Yam main stand. Camel Toe. 30 mm risers. 14 tooth front sprocket. Big balls. Old and not wise.

What brand are you fitting and how aggressive is your riding style.

I might be pointing the obvious but... even Kev would agree that it is not wise to fit a new sprocket to a worn chain, no matter how good it looks a chain that has done in excess of 7000 is a goner and will take the sprocket down with it, reducing it's life span.


We highly recommend you fit Renthal sprocket as they do last longer. Couple that with a Tsubaki chain and Hard anodized rear sproket in a kit and you are laughing.

http://www.bandcexpress.co.uk/drive-kits/4172-ha-apx-kit-with-renthal-hard-anodised-and-tsubaki-x-ring-gold.html

Jimmy, I'm sorry to say that I don't necessarily agree with our Capt. I have discovered over the years that frequent replacement of the countershaft sprocket, which rotates approx 3x to the driven sprocket's 1x, is one secret to longer chain and driven sprocket life. Generally speaking, I use three front sprockets to one rear (unsurprisingly), same chain. Naturally this is not always true, dependant on chain and sprocket quality, terrain and so on.

A 14T front sprocket will, all things being equal, wear a bit faster than a 15T as you would already know. As soon as a countershafter sprocket shows any sign of 'hooking' I replace it. Other benefits are a smoother and quieter ride.

Sorry if I'm preaching to the converted...

Not tried it on the tenere yet but from experience with exc I found a smaller front sprocket worn faster due to the increased angle the chain runs. I also found that this worn the chain wear guide on the swingarm faster too.
But I aslo use the swop the front first to prolong the life and chain and rear sprocket is normally still in good nick.
Personally I'd go for a steel sprocket not an anodised one as its not like you need to save on weight ie not being raced.
I went from using a smaller front to a larger rear, but that does mean chain length will have to be increased to suite.

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check out www.redbikejohn.com for all the latest race reports from the CHEC and enduroland.

All fronts will be steel.

I used to subscribe to the theory that you should change chain and both sprockets at the same time, but I don't think that holds for the XT's (and probably big singles generally), because they are so hard on the front sprocket - even with a 15T

So this time I've changed the front sprocket early to see if it makes the chain and rear sprocket last a bit longer.

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I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

Yea, when I said steel I meant rear's. I used to use JT steel rear's and rental or JT fronts.

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check out www.redbikejohn.com for all the latest race reports from the CHEC and enduroland.