[elime]

I took a close look at my sprockets and noticed some wear. I know the top layer is black paint and the bottom layer is steel, but what is the silver in the middle? Some kind of plating or possible a primer paint? Any ideas anyone? It does seem very durable.

 

[jeffreyloxley]

Looks to me like the silver layer is just a finely-polished version of the bottom layer... but what I would like to know is how many miles you have on the bike? Do you have to replace sprockets frequently? Thanks

 

[lizrdbrth]

Your half link is causing that.

 

[elime]

Jeffrey -- There are about 450 miles on the smaller sprocket. It is more out of line than the big sprocket and is displaced to the left. I have only replaced the front(14t) and rear sprocket(55t) once. The small rear sprocket is a 45t and is a very recent addition.



lizrdbrth -- And I am not using the half link. Thanks for remembering!

 

[lizrdbrth]

[quote name='Tony' date='07 April 2011 - 05:23 PM' timestamp='1302222217' post='15888']





lizrdbrth -- And I am not using the half link. Thanks for remembering!

[/quot3



Aight, then. I stand corrected. But if you used it initially you may have set up that wear pattern. Otherwise it's classic misalignment, which shouidn't a be the case since that sprocket is in its original location.



I'm sure you know this, but in a normal situation that kinda wear would indicate that the right side of your axle is further forward than the left. The silver is burnishing.



Maybe someone else has a better idea.



Both sides of the sprocket the same? I'm about to go dual, myself. Curious.

 

[elime]

Lizrdbrth -- What size sprocket were you thinking of adding to make it a dualie?

 

[lizrdbrth]

Lizrdbrth -- What size sprocket were you thinking of adding to make it a dualie?

If you recall Qwerty did the chain length calcs on the 13/15 combo up front, which unfortunately won't work with standard front sprockets since the chain will rub the shoulder of the 15 when the 13 is in use. I'm gunna try machining the 15 shoulder down to the same dimension as the 13 on that side. I'm not messed up about adding a chunk of chain to change gearing with a standard roller chain, but the master links on an o-ring chain can be a real pain to mess with on the side of the road. This seems the most practical long-term solution and probably the only significant expansion on Gizmo's original dual front sprocket setup.



I'll need to re-crunch Qwerty's calcs to suit the added rolling diameter of the Bighorn2 because in my case a 55T is my "stock" sprocket with that tire. I think Qwerty's hit on a good plan.



I'll put all that on the other thread once we get back from our 66 trip cuz right now a certain young lady will clobber me if I jeopardize the trip by "experimenting". lol.



Did you come up with the likely cause of your sprocket wear?

 

[elime]

Did you come up with the likely cause of your sprocket wear?

I think it is due to sprocket misalignment. I looked at the inside of the chain links and didn't see any wear but that might change with the silvery stuff all worn away.



Oh well, this morning I will finish cleaning the sprockets and replace the chain and ride it another 400 to 500 miles and then re examine it. If things are worse then I will go back to a single sprocket, otherwise I will leave it the way it is, which to be honest I really like.

 

[lizrdbrth]

I think it is due to sprocket misalignment. I looked at the inside of the chain links and didn't see any wear but that might change with the silvery stuff all worn away.



Oh well, this morning I will finish cleaning the sprockets and replace the chain and ride it another 400 to 500 miles and then re examine it. If things are worse then I will go back to a single sprocket, otherwise I will leave it the way it is, which to be honest I really like.

I'm a little confused, I think. I can't see why you'd need to go back to a single as long as the sprocket you use most is in the stock location. For occasional use the wear on the alternative, less used sprocket is to be expected with single front sprocket, but would be fairly negligible if it was occasional. Could you just reverse the two, if the 45T is your "normal" sprocket?

 

[elime]

. Could you just reverse the two, if the 45T is your "normal" sprocket?

Yes, of course I could do that. For time being I will leave it as it is. I think the misalignment is so minor hopefully any problems caused by it will be minor too.



What started all this is I was wondering what that silvery metal is. Once that metal is worn away, if indeed it is metal, the steel under it shows no wear, nor does the chain.



BTW, the 45t sprocket works great on the freeway. For the first time I got to move into the center lane and actually pass cars in the slow lane. I was doing 65 to 70 mph. My buddy on his DR350 couldn't believe it. Later he kept saying over and over "TW's really can do it all!".

 

[TW-Brian]

Hi Tony,



To address your original question regarding the composition of your sprockets - they should be just steel covered with an outer coat of paint. Or in the case of aluminum sprockets - they will be just aluminum covered by clear or colored anodizing or paint. There is no other metal involved. I believe that what you are seeing is simply an artifact of the varying surface textures on the teeth as a result of wear/polishing/burnishing as mentioned earlier. Throw in some grime and chain lube/wax buildup, etc., and appearances can be very deceiving but there is no mystery material involved. I hope this is helpful.



Brian