Sprockets - Ducati.ms

**vjlore** · Sep 24th, 2006, 2:07 pm

Ok, so I'm reading all the posts about changing sprockets and thinking I'll go and check mine to see if it's stock ( I bought it used ). Well when I look, I notice that every single tooth on the rear has been broken off. The metal is still clean where it broke. I took a 160 mile ride last weekend so I figure thats when it occurred, it was fine before I rode it. I don't think that I missed it on my pre-ride inspection. What could have happened? The tension seems fine. Alignment? I don't notice any damage to the chain. But I guess it is. My questions are who has the best prices on sprockets and chains and any recommendations? Is it also safe to say that it"s not safe to ride with 1/3 to 1/2 of the tooth height missing on all of them?

Gilbert · Sep 24th, 2006, 5:39 pm

Don't know your mechanical skill level, and there are several known causes. To my knowledge the most common is over-tightening the chain.

How many miles on the chain?

Aftermarket Al sprockets or stock steel sprockets?

On my 2004 ST4s (and I would ASSUME that it's the same for other ST models), chain tensioning must be performed while on the center stand or with the rear wheel unloaded.

I've played with a range of rear sprockets ranging between the stock 38 tooth and a 43 tooth. I find that I prefer switching between a 41 (long cruises over 500miles) and 42 for everything else. Front sprocket is a castilliated (or lightened) steel 15 tooth.

BlueST2 · Sep 24th, 2006, 5:45 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by vjlore

. My questions are who has the best prices on sprockets and chains and any recommendations? Is it also safe to say that it"s not safe to ride with 1/3 to 1/2 of the tooth height missing on all of them?

Contact Rick...AKA NCRick at Cogent Dynamics, he a premium vendor to this site and offers great prices. I know he carries AFRAM sprockets which are top of the line.

http://www.motocd.com/

As far as riding, my personal feeling is I wouldn't feel comfortable riding with the sprocket as you described it. my $0.02.

LiquidSilver · Sep 25th, 2006, 1:45 pm

I wouldn't ride it with teeth missing. Yikes. On a dirt bike I would, but there's no 18-wheeler behind me on my dirtbike.

NCRick · Sep 25th, 2006, 2:42 pm

What you have is likely an aluminum sprocket. They will do that, particularly once the chain streaches out a bunch. Once they get really smooth, they slip!

I have never seen a steel one do that. A magnet will tell the story.

Thanks for the kudos BlueST2!