How do you tell when a sprocket is worn out?

Asked by: Dana Ramirez

Worn sprocket teeth are clingy. They hold on to the chain longer than needed. Sometimes the chain can even climb the teeth. This interaction will make a lot of noise.

How do I know if my sprocket needs replacing?

You can move links forward and back individually. Definitely a sign that you need to swap out your gear. Now if you're riding on the street.

How do you know if your motorcycle sprocket is worn out?

The easiest way to check for wear symptoms is to grab the chain at the rear sprocket’s rearmost part and try to pull the chain away from it. A brand-new chain won’t budge at all, and the general rule for ones that move is that if you can see half a tooth’s depth showing, it’s time to shop for a new chainset.

When should I replace my bike sprocket?

Now what you're looking out for is when the teeth of the ring. Start to become hooked. Like little shark's teeth. And that is a surefire sign that you need to replace the chain rings.

How long does a sprocket last?

On average, you can expect to replace your chain and sprocket between 20,000 to 30,000 kilometers, less if you ride fast and hard. However, if you spot any damage to your chain or sprocket, it’s better to just go and replace the prematurely-worn part right away.

What causes sprocket failure?

Chain wear and stretch will cause grouping and excessive wear to the sprocket, a major cause of whipping. Poor Sprocket Alignment creates heat and may even bend the shafts on the drive system, causing great damage. Poor Pitch Integrity of chain and sprockets also causes premature failure.

What happens if chain sprocket is damaged?

As the chain and sprockets wear the chain will get loose. Eventually, you will run out of adjustment to take up that slack. When the chain is too loose, it will jump teeth and possibly fall off the sprocket completely. This actually happened to me.

How often should I lube my motorcycle chain?

every 400-800 miles

Your motorcycle’s chain needs to be lubricated every 400-800 miles to keep it at its best. This can vary depending on your bike’s use; road bikes will need the chain cleaning less than off-road bikes.

Can you put a new chain on old sprockets?

Absolutely unless you want to damage the new sprockets. A new chain mates with the new sprockets, the old chain mates with the old sprockets. It’s a combined wear pattern.

How often does a motorcycle chain need adjusting?

every 500 miles

You should check and adjust your chain every 500 miles (805 km), and more often for a dirt bike. It’s also a great time to look for kinks or rust, and to give your chain a quick cleaning and lubrication, too.

How tight should your motorcycle chain be?

On average, however, most street motorcycles will need a chain tension of about 20 – 30 mm, or about a half inch to an inch in slack. This means that the chain should be able to move about a half inch to an inch up and about a half inch to an inch down. It’s easiest to measure this using a measuring tape.

What does a loose motorcycle chain feel like?

Motorcycle Chain Tug



Another symptom of a loose chain on a motorcycle is a chain tug, a tugging feeling you feel when the bike keeps steady RPMs in a lower gear, which is another symptom of a loose chain.