[aTuWitty]

So I knew I needed new sprockets when I bought the bike a month ago, but the other night as I was accelerating hard (but not WOT) out of first, something popped and the bike skipped. I clutched immediately, thinking my chain had skipped a tooth. Didn't have time to fix it immediately, so I took it home, riding gingerly, and to work the next day. The popping occurred a few more times throughout the day, so I went out and bought a set of sockets (my largest was only a 19, on a 3/8" drive... I love being at college and without my tools) and borrowed a buddy's torque wrench to adjust the chain tension.

Anyway, I got everything off, and as I was turning the wheel, I noticed that 8 or 9 teeth had broken off of the rear sprocket. Literally, just gone. I had lubed the chain on Saturday, and the teeth were all accounted for then.

I'll admit to being a motorcycle maintenance noob, having ridden 15k miles spread out over 5 different motorcycles, so I've never done anything more than lubing the chain. I've pulled and rebuilt car motors, so I'm not a terrible mechanic (I hope!)

So here I am. I'll be buying a new sprocket set/chain from Blair soon (trying to decide on 525 or 530, I'm a big dude), but currently, funds will not allow it. I can still ride the bike, it feels loads better since I tightened the chain, but at what risk do I do so? This is just me being poor and not having any other options, currently. I can stop riding if this is a huge problem, and have the wife drop me off in the mornings and pick me up, but this severely inconveniences us both. Again, I CAN put the bike aside (please no "U'LL B INCONVENENCED IN TEH HOPSITAL HAHAHAHA!!11" type responses), but if I ride without hard acceleration, will I be ok for the next few weeks until I can afford the sprockets/chain?

 

[OydnaR]

I was on my SV650 once, 2up, 100 miles from home when my chain slipped, got off, looked, no teeth anywhere, only rounded nubs :yikes: yes I even made it home, only think I can think, the smoothness I learned from riding in winter icy conditions, I still got that sprocket somewhere

 

[hollowas]

I noticed that 8 or 9 teeth had broken off of the rear sprocket. Literally, just gone. I had lubed the chain on Saturday, and the teeth were all accounted for then.

Holy cow! What kind of lube are you using?? :biggrinjester:

 

[aTuWitty]

Hydrochloric something or other... technical terms bore me

 

[honest bob]

I'm on the don't ride it side. I'm sure some will say it's OK though. If your busting teeth off, what's to say the sprocket is not cracked. That chain takes a beating every time a tooth breaks too. Have you considered what the consequences of the chain coming off are:jawdrop:? $$$#@&*$%XOXO

 

[ozart]

Have a look on each side of your sprocket. Does either side have deep chain marks?

 

[Improperly Torqued]

Hydrochloric something or other... technical terms bore me

:thumbup:

(Long day, crappy week -- thanks, I needed that!)

 

[SCraig]

You said yourself that riding it gingerly it chewed off some more teeth. Unless you enjoy pushing your bike I'd recommend leaving it parked until you can replace the sprocket. It certainly isn't going to get any better and odds are very good that it will get worse very quickly.

 

[ozart]

What's a few teeth, you still have 30 something left. Keep ride'n it.

 

[chicago]

what about your chain? is it still in spec? a broken chain may lock your wheel or damage your engine and generally ruin your day.