Chain and Sprokets (Spacely Sprokets I wonder?)

[Troll]

I use synthetic chain lube...spectro synthetic...if you read and follow the instructions, it won't make too big a mess, and the polished aluminum rear wheel on my W650 stays pretty clean. When spots do show up, I take a clean rag with some charcoal lighter fluid to it, and they vanish. If you want to have white walls, you need to keep them up...when I bought my '78 ElectraGlide, it had dual stripe Goodyear speed slips...and a Harley drip chain oiler....

[DriftinAway]

A friend told me he stopped using lube in exchange for chain "wax" since it doesn't get all over his whitewalls ... I was wondering if using wax instead may reduce chain life or just isn't as good as lube? Anyone use the wax and have you noticed/had any problems with it?

[Troll]

Endless chains, or as they are more properly called, riveted link, are easy prey for my die grinder with a cutting wheel. I have been using master link chains for over 40 years with NO problems, including the chain on my dear departed 98" superglide. The big problem with most chain set ups is that people don't think you need to lube the "o" ring chains, so they wear out the chain and sprockets at a fast rate. Start with a quality non "o"ring chain, new sprockets, and a can of quality chain spray, keep up the maintenance and you will get about 15,000 out of a chain. I usually changes sprockets every second chain. Read the instructions on the chain spray can, that's another missed point that is vital for chain life. Last, but definitely not least....wheel alignment...the chain has to run straight. It's been said before, but it bears repeating... don't rely on the little marks on the swing arm, MEASURE!!!

[jamey wright]

usually the chains are seamless, so removal of the fender, rearwheel, brakes, rear shock, and swing arm, front sprocket cover, etc. so you can see why they charge so much.

[DriftinAway]

Thanks Carpe Diem... you probably have a point. Not to mention saving myself a $300.00 headache just let the "pros" deal with it and if something breaks they can see it gets fixed. I really do want to at least start doing some simple jobs on this bike. It obviously is going to require more maintenance than all the shaft driven rides I've owned.

[CARPE DIEM DRIFTER]

DriftinAway,
The price on parts and labor don't seem way out of whack to me. You can check  chain and sprocket prices on e-bay either as a kit or individual pieces. Like every thing else in life, some quality is better than others, you get what you pay for. Just a tip if you decide to take on the repair yourself . Besides the lift you will also need an air or electric powered impact wrench to remove the drive sprocket. A service manual is also a good idea for procedure, torque values and the like.
Happy drifting,    CDD

[DriftinAway]

Hey guys... just picked up an 800cc Drifter yesterday and I noticed last night the chain was VERY VERY loose ... it had about 4 inches of play in it... reading online I found that 1 inch to 1 1/4 is considered acceptable. Well I don't have a lift or a jack to get it off the ground so I took it to the stealership today to have the chain tightened. Well of course it wasn't just a simple fix ... seems the chain is about gone and the sprockets are worn almost completely off on one side... so as the wheel turns the chain is tight then as the wheel moves to the other side of the sprocket it gets very loose.... well they quoted me $340.00 for both front and rear sprockets and a new chain plus 1 to 1.5 hrs labor. Does that sound about right to you guys? Seems like a lot for a chain. The chain alone was $130 - then the rear sprocket was 40 and the front $30 ... plus 1.5 hrs labor at $80 an hour. If I had a way to get this up in the air I think I would try to do it myself to save $160 bucks.... please let me know if this price sounds reasonable to you guys.... thanks for your help!!!