I have never had a chain with a tight spot, so have no experience with this. Reported a while back about the tight spot in my original chain. I'm now at 25.5k miles and can feel the tight spot even after adjustment....mostly on deceleration...bike surges instead of coming down smoothly. Don't feel it when throttle is on with a steady pull.
Also noticed that in way of the tight spot it lifts up on the rear sprocket teeth instead of staying down in where it should ride. (That's when I have the rear wheel on a roller and can rotate the tire and chain for lubing and adjustment.) I have seen pictures of worn sprockets...my rear sprocket does not have any obvious wear of anomalies.
I was trying to wait until I needed a rear tire too, but this riding up on the teeth has me concerned....so my question - Can the tight spot cause the chain to break at speed? (I doubt it would come off the sprocket with it tensioned properly).
If so, don't want to ride it too far and will put a new chain and sprockets on.
For Troll: No chain issues on the W650 at 18.5k....I think it has something to do with the longitudinal weight distribution....more on the rear in the Drifter.
Anyway...look forward to comments from those more chain experienced than I. Thanks guys.
that is one of the problems with an o ring chain. When they develop a stiff spot, you can't get any lube to the pins and bushings to fix it. When my W did the same thing, I replaced the chain with a normal chain. That was about 4 years ago. No problems since I did it... The tight spot will, if it doesn't loosen up when the chain is hot, cause damage. I would be more worried about the front sprocket than the rear...
If you got 25K on your chain and sprockets, I would be pricing new ones for this season. That's pretty good life so I'd say and why push it – that's a maintenance item that isn't that expensive.
I have about that on my X ring chain, and will be planning on a replacement in the winter and also will be doing the front and rear sprockets, because the cost is not that bad, the swapping of the sprocket is easy enough the only hard part is the chain because at present I do not have a chain cutter or the tool to do the install.
Have you looked at these? I don't know how you feel about having a MasterLink, because these are O-ring chains and they are MasterLink kits: 65 bucks free shipping. http://www.ebay.com/itm/00-06-Kawasaki-Vulcan-800-VN800E-Drifter-O-Ring-Chain-and-Sprocket-Kit-Nickel-/131574935215?hash=item1ea27a2eaf:g:StAAAOSw9N1Vx7PL&vxp=mtr
It says the sprockets are 17 x 40 – that's stock gearing right?
I have seen those but not sure if the sprockets are good metal or not.
You are correct the stock set up is 17T front and 40T rear, I swapped mine a few years back to 18T front and 38T rear, and for my style of riding it has made a huge difference. I can cruise along at 70 mph all day long and never have the urge to look for another gear. I have not noticed any changes at lower speeds or take off from lights, so the change for me was worth the small effort.
The alloys/heat treat used on those sprockets aren't bad--I've used these kits (from this eBay seller) on other bikes I've had. I just know some guys don't want any master links on a street bike. As far as gearing, I'm a new drifter rider but stock gearing actually seems a bit tall to me. I think my Valkyrie 1500 is geared lower, in fact. ;D
Thanks guys...this discussion will move me to not take chances and replace the chain and sprockets. I know I've gotten reasonable life out of these components and have put 15k of the 25k on the machine since I bought it in late 2011.
I also take away that non O-ring is the way to go to avoid this tight spot issue.
As always, thanks for the advice. Really appreciate this forum....Now I'll get on with the maintenance.