Yep - all good .....

 

Thank you. I’m glad I didn’t have to take the side cover off again.

 

Aftermarket sprockets usually have a spring clip instead of bolts like the OEM. Up to 1/4 inch of side to side play is normal. Once you are moving, the front sprocket lines up with the rear. After 11,000 miles with a 13 front I saw ZERO counter-shaft wear. I could have gone to 15,000 on the front but I'm conservative and for a measly $13 I just replaced it. I did NOT replace the rear or the X-ring Chain and neither showed much wear when I sold the bike at 16,000 miles. I DO clean and lube my chain regularly.

 

In the case of of a dual rear sprocket setup (in which most of the complaints have to do with the fact that at least one of the rear sprockets doesn't line up with the front sprocket, causing side-wear on the front sprocket), would a side to side "floating" front sprocket noticeably reduce the side-wear? :dontknow:

 

..... would a side to side "floating" front sprocket noticeably reduce the side-wear? :dontknow:

Well, it certainly did on my dual sprocket set-up. Side wear on the front sprocket was unnoticeable at 11,000 miles.
HOWEVER, I probably only used the 55 rear maybe 500 miles out of that. The rear sprockets are about 1/2 inch apart, so the 1/4 inch float on the front only dealt with half of that.
I recommend setting up the rear sprocket you use most so it is closely in line with the front and letting side wear occur on the less used rear sprocket, where I think most of the out of line wear would occur, rather than the front.

At any rate, front sprockets are inexpensive...I thought getting 11,000 miles out of a 13 tooth front that cost $13 was pretty good.