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  # 1  
Old 06-02-08, 10:32
Techno Prisoners's Avatar
Techno Prisoners Techno Prisoners is offline
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Rear Sprocket problem after 1500 miles

I bought and fitted a new continuous Tsubaki Sigma XRG-ORS heavy duty chain and steel sprockets before setting out from Lisbon to Timbuktu. The chain was the highest specification available from B&C and the steel sprockets were recommended by B&C. see http://tsubaki-rider.com/?type=tech_specs
I think I paid about �120.
On the fourth evening of the trip (about 1500 tarmac road miles) I noticed that the rear sprocket was very badly worn. The team technical support supremo said that the chain and sprockets would not make the trip. I left the Tsubaki XRG on as I only had 1 spare chain and sprocket set and was concerned that the Timbuktu piste would wreck whatever drive set I was using. May as well finish off the worn set as destroy a new one?

The Tsubaki chain began to get stiff links after about 3000 miles despite being cleaned and lubed with Wurth High Performance dry lubricant daily. The rear sprocket continued to wear, but more slowly than originally.

Back in Algeciras after 8500 miles, the Tsubaki chain has about 50% stiff links and the rear sprocket is very "saw toothed". The drive set all needs replacing. Cush drive rubbers are fine?!

In contrast, another XT using a standard Yamaha OEM drive set stiffened at a similar rate, then the chain snapped at 6000 miles. The O-rings were competely worn away over most of the chain and the bushes failed. It had stretched about 6 inches over 500 miles before failing finally.

4 BMW F650GS Dakar riders did not lubricate their chains at all. They wiped the dust off the chains and sprockets each night with dry rags. None of their chains looked worn excessively after 4500 miles across all terrain. One of the Dakars rode the whole 8500 miles. His drive set looked fine at the end of the trip.

3 lessons here:
1 do not lubricate a chain with anything if you are riding through sandy conditions. Clean the dust off it daily with a brush and/or rag.
2 Heavy duty drive chains refuse to break, but they stiffen in the same way
as cheaper kit.
3 Steel rear sprockets wear rapidly, but do not fail catastrophically.

I conclude that the Tsubaki chain was worth the money as it made the full trip without breaking down. It chewed up a rear sprocket, but it got me home = worth the money. Need to find better sprockets next time or take more spares. Attached is a picture of the rear sprocket after about 1500 miles.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Rear sprocket wear after 1500 miles small.jpg (24.6 KB, 63 views)
  # 2  
Old 06-02-08, 13:43
ManicMic's Avatar
ManicMic ManicMic is offline
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I think your problem is because you have used Wurth High Performance dry lubricant. That stuff is the worst lube you can buy. It's totally "Wurth"less!!!

I call it Wurth Chain Wrecker. All it does is stick to the outside of your chain and attracts dirt and dust which in turn makes a grinding paste and kills your chain and sprocket. I've seen this problem so many times on other peoples bikes.
  # 3  
Old 07-02-08, 15:02
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Techno Prisoners Techno Prisoners is offline
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Wish I'd asked about Wurth before the trip. It was recommended by the chain suppliers. With hindsight, I wouldn't have bothered using anything in the dry conditions.
Cheers for the info.
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