Here is the 39 point Ninja Star I managed to make out of my rear sprocket in 3500 miles. Ouch!
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm7.static.flickr.com%2F6134%2F6007354340_612c504f12_b_d.jpg&hash=7f8e0216e26bb62aeb776d2e1aaf54a5816a3168)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffarm7.static.flickr.com%2F6018%2F6007354560_5108a092bd_b_d.jpg&hash=7a3d61dc03d6581effb7da89b3a26582657c50a9)
Shop seems to think it it was a bad sprocket but I am not sure. Chain to loose? Chain to tight? Bad chain maintenance?
nice... :o
looks like there is no sign of lubricant on the sprocket. "O" ring chains still need to be lubed, the only thing is that they have their own grease sealed inside the rollers, but the part that contacts the sprocket still needs to be lubed. You need to get a chain spray for "O" ring chains and use it as directed. I am using a synthetic spray from Golden Spectro that seems to work quite well. Used the same can on my '78 SuperGlide, and now on my W-650...you don't need much, but you definitely need something. Works pretty well on cables, too.
I had cleaned the sprocket off before I took those photos, the teeth were good and messy before I cleaned up. After talking to a couple techs at the dealer they seem to think my major "malfunction" was tensioning the chain while it was on jack instead of the ground (they did note it looked too clean before I explained I cleaned). This led to tight spots forming on the chain too. My routine used to be put the bike up on the rack every 2-3 weeks for a bath, check the chain tension, clean chain in necessary, lube the chain, check the tension, clean the whitewalls and lower the bike. I will now end my routine with lube the chain, get the bike off the jack and then check the tension. I'm just glad I didn't thrown a chain or strip the rear sprocket while "up north" somewhere on the bike.
The only odd thing is there was no visible wear on the front sprocket at all. I did replace it too but I laid the new and old front sprockets on top of each other and I could not see any wear whatsoever. Seems that front sprocket it a bit stronger than the rear. I now have both old sprockets hanging on the wall of the garage at a reminder.