Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dan N1GXC" wrote:

> > > Hi group. I was wondering how many miles can be expected from the

OEM

> chain and sprockets.

I think the simple answer is "until it needs replacing". Lots of factors there, but a simple test should tell you whether you need to replace it. I bet it's a different amount of miles for each of us. Mine last about 10-12000 miles until they get a tight link or worn down so I can pull the back part of the chain far enough away from the rear sprocket to see the whole tooth. Obviously, I'm not the Prince of Chain Maintenance, you've obviously done way better than my average. Thanks CA Stu

Hey Dan! I have an 03 also. I replaced the front sprocket about 3 times over my first 20,000 miles. I started loosing rollers about that time and replaced it all. Really the rear still looked good. Pretty sure if you replace the front when it starts to curve, you'll get max life out of the chain and rear. Cheers, Rod

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dan N1GXC" wrote: > > > Hi group. I was wondering how many miles can be expected from the OEM > chain and sprockets. I have a 2003 KLR650 A-17 with 15,000 mi. I do > about 50/50 on and off road and the KLR has really chewed up some mud > in it's day. I always do the chain service after an off road ride and > the chain has not required much adjustment. The sprockets are still > sharp and the chain has only required about 3/16" adjustment in the > past two years. On every tire change (Kenda K-270) I do the axle and > bearing cleaning and lube. I know...just keep my eye on the chain but I > was just wondering. > > Thanks, Dan (dualsport4me)

On Apr 12, 2005, at 1:01 PM, Dan N1GXC wrote:

> Hi group. I was wondering how many miles can be expected from the OEM > chain and sprockets.

It depends on how you ride, where you ride, and the phase of the moon. The only way to know whether your chain is shot or not is to look for stuck links and to measure the length of the chain across many links. There are listings for the max length for so many pins at most chain manufacturers' web sites. Also, Fred sells a nifty little ruler (part #26-3560) that makes the measurement a snap for less than a buck. When was the last time you could buy a truly useful and durable tool for less than a buck?!?! -- Blake Sobiloff San Mateo, CA (USA)

On Tue, 12 Apr 2005, Dan N1GXC wrote:

> Hi group. I was wondering how many miles can be expected from the OEM > chain and sprockets. I have a 2003 KLR650 A-17 with 15,000 mi. I do

The original chain lasted the PO of my bike for 18,000 miles. He never cleaned it, and only occasionally sprayed some of that sticky chain lube goo on it. The splooge caked up everywhere took me two days of scrubbing with kerosene-soaked rags and toothbrush to get it all off.

> about 50/50 on and off road and the KLR has really chewed up some mud > in it's day. I always do the chain service after an off road ride and > the chain has not required much adjustment. The sprockets are still > sharp and the chain has only required about 3/16" adjustment in the > past two years. On every tire change (Kenda K-270) I do the axle and > bearing cleaning and lube. I know...just keep my eye on the chain but I > was just wondering.

Figure it'll last around 20K miles with proper care. Just keep an eye on it, you're entering the danger zone now. -E

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "CA Stu" wrote:

> > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dan N1GXC" wrote: > > > > > > Hi group. I was wondering how many miles can be expected from the > OEM > > chain and sprockets. > > I think the simple answer is "until it needs replacing". > > Lots of factors there, but a simple test should tell you whether you > need to replace it. > I bet it's a different amount of miles for each of us. > > > Mine last about 10-12000 miles until they get a tight link or worn > down so I can pull the back part of the chain far enough away from the > rear sprocket to see the whole tooth. > > Obviously, I'm not the Prince of Chain Maintenance, you've obviously > done way better than my average. > > Thanks > CA Stu

Pffffft 10-12,000 miles... hahahaha I wish.. about 4,500 miles, new rear bearings (Got um Fred. thanks) going in tonight or tomarrow removing rear sprocket its now a emergency spare, got about 3000 miles out of the Sprocket Specialist Steel 45T w/ Mud Sluts, chain well its not ringing yet, but has a few really tight spots. Will go back to the OEM sprocket which I hear wears like.. please do not say Steel.. To be fair, I am not a big chain maintence person, WD-40 baths and oil when I know I will be on the road for a while, but that appears not very often eh... Bearings are a long story, but lets say that shortly after regreasing the whole back end and swingarm I went riding and got stuck, leaving the whole back end of the bike underwater for a few hours till a much larger tow rope could be brought in to the bike. Tugging on the chain will not preduce a view of a whole tooth, but the slots are also not round either, more like radius corners, both leading and trailing, just assume the sprocket was not up to the hardness level everybody says the OEM is at. Besides 14/45 is just too short of gearing, I have reached for 6th and 7th gear within a short distance of hitting the highway. Will try the 14/43 and see how bad I have to slip the clutch offroad to know if it will work for me. Dooden A15 Green Ape

Me neither on chain maintenance, that's why I buy the best chain and don't screw with it much. Mine is way loose now after a 1600 mile trip. But am using Bel Ray lube after my Guru said Chain Wax and WD 40 is crap. Criswell

On Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at 06:15 PM, CA Stu wrote: > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dan N1GXC" wrote: >> >> >> Hi group. I was wondering how many miles can be expected from the > OEM >> chain and sprockets. > > I think the simple answer is "until it needs replacing". > > Lots of factors there, but a simple test should tell you whether you > need to replace it. > I bet it's a different amount of miles for each of us. > > > Mine last about 10-12000 miles until they get a tight link or worn > down so I can pull the back part of the chain far enough away from the > rear sprocket to see the whole tooth. > > Obviously, I'm not the Prince of Chain Maintenance, you've obviously > done way better than my average. > > Thanks > CA Stu > > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

A guru should say wd-40 and chain(wax?!) is crap As any lister who has actually used a wd-40 and 90 wt gear oil regimentl could and should attest to the loooong chain life. I use one rear stocker and 3 fronts 14 and 16 use up fast after running a 15 t c.s then back to the 15. first set 20K. now at 18K mi additional on the the second set and expect to get maayybe 10K mi more. I live in Jacksonville Fla, so get a lot of sand ,salt, and water in my chains, bike is stored in the open under cover. Daily commuter. Ihit the chain with wd-40 every two -four days and gear oil when it looks dry or when it squeaks. I do know the rear stock sprocket is GOOD quality from the adjustments needed. Maybe every 2-3Kmi or at oil changes. highway extended times need gear oil at least every tankfull if not 100 miles.That is where I see the most wear. When I ride in sand offroad I lube/ clean with wd-40 and then gear oil on a cold chain and use the short highway run to fling the gear oil off and get the right wetness of the chain. Mo better is wd-40 on cold chain, then gear oil on warm chain. Them o'rings aint grease tight. YMMV and JMHO. I preach wd-40, gear oil. --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Ron Criswell wrote:

> Me neither on chain maintenance, that's why I buy the best chain

and

> don't screw with it much. Mine is way loose now after a 1600 mile

trip.

> But am using Bel Ray lube after my Guru said Chain Wax and WD 40 is > crap. > > Criswell > On Tuesday, April 12, 2005, at 06:15 PM, CA Stu wrote: > > > > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Dan N1GXC"

wrote:

> >> > >> > >> Hi group. I was wondering how many miles can be expected from the > > OEM > >> chain and sprockets. > > > > I think the simple answer is "until it needs replacing". > > > > Lots of factors there, but a simple test should tell you whether

you

> > need to replace it. > > I bet it's a different amount of miles for each of us. > > > > > > Mine last about 10-12000 miles until they get a tight link or worn > > down so I can pull the back part of the chain far enough away

from the

> > rear sprocket to see the whole tooth. > > > > Obviously, I'm not the Prince of Chain Maintenance, you've

obviously

> > done way better than my average. > > > > Thanks > > CA Stu > > > > > > > > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: > > http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

On Wed, 13 Apr 2005, clint lee jin yew wrote:

> wd40 cleans the chain. but leaves it dry. o rings dont like to be

Hmm, just looked at my chain. Looks oily to me! All I've used on it for the past 5,000 miles is WD-40. Haven't had to adjust the chain once. Can't argue with results! -E