550RK worn drive sprocket shaft?

I've had a late start to my riding season, put some fresh tires, brakes, chains and sprockets . Checking all bolts bushings etc waiting on parts to arrive and I notice the drive sprocket is what I would describe as wobbly.. so add a sprocket holder plate to my order seeing that the original one has some wear.

Fast forward to reassembly and I have the same wobble with the new sprocket and plate. Is this common? Will a thrust washer behind the sprocket take out the slack? Major trans surgery?

I guess this explains the wear on one side of the sprocket and not the other

 

Mine is like that as well. I did pose that question recently and the only answer I got was all his bikes are like that. Of course that still doesn't really answer the question.

 

I guess it's a matter of HOW wobbly?

Sorry I missed that question earlier.

The tolerances between the sprocket, even with the holding plate attached, and the shaft are what you could term as, well... generous.

How worn is the shaft? With everything off, how worn are the splines from contact with the sprocket in relation to the area where the sprocket doesn't engage? When I changed mine (both bikes) the shaft was simply "polished" from the sprocket and not noticeably worn, so I dismissed the slop as normal.

You could add a washer; but be sure it's a proper hardened automotive-grade part and not a hardware-store washer; if it gets beat to death and fails you don't want it becoming shrapnel in there.

Wear on one side of the sprocket and not the other just means you've been running with the rear wheel slightly out of alignment. Getting the rear wheel perfectly aligned when doing a chain adjustment is a black art.

 

It's not ridiculously wobbly, I guess it could be described as generous. the splines look OK.

Ps, I 6pack induced bought a 17 tooth sprocket... Any takers?

 

Well, figured that I would call it 'good enough' and keep an eye on any worsening. The small gap isn't worth the hassle - all just to press a hardened spocket against a mild steel retaining plate.

I also will run the 17t drive sprocket and see how heavy it feels. Worst case scenario, I'm out 20$ and get a 16t.

Touched up on my rear wheel "black magic" adjustment.. laser levels aren't much of help

 

Replace both sprockets and the chain all at the same time, otherwise whatever new component you install will wear prematurely.

http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/JT- ... 077143.htm

http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/JT- ... lick=35177

http://www.powersportsuperstore.com/D-I ... lick=35177

 

The KEY is to spin the rear wheel, "forward" and see if the chain runs toward one side of the rear sprocket or the other (when viewed from the rear.) Once you have it right, you can spin and spin and spin the wheel and when you look at it from the rear, the chain will always still be centered on the rear sprocket.

Laser levels only work if your front and rear wheels/tires are exactly the same size and width (like on my Norton, 4.10X19 front and rear.)

 

I have all new components, i'm aware of the cost of "shortcuts."

Fitz, the wheel is as straight as it is ever going to get. i used the laser on the driven sprocket to show straight to the drive sprocket. Then, I did spin the tire to make sure the chain comes off the top of the driven sprocket straight.
And, for good measure (pun intended) I measured from the swing arm bushing to the axle and had good results.

If there's another way, I'm down to hear it - but as far as I can tell, all's good!


Ride report on the 17t drive sprocket: It doesn't run out of breath as fast in each gear. I'm still on the fence to weather or not I like it.

 

My front sprocket has a little wobble like you describe but with no wear marks, it seemed like it was supposed to be that way. New one is just the same.

I recently switched to a 17 front, 44 rear on my XJ550 and I LOVE it. Chacal said this combo would reduce low end acceleration ~ 5% but I don't really notice it at all. I DO get more top end out of each gear. Most of my commute is freeway and at 60-65mph my RPM's run about 1k-1.2k lower than before. Mileage has went from 45mpg to 48mpg.

As for alignment being a black art, I agree. But, I spent $13 for the Motion Pro 08-0048 alignment tool and my chain is running smoother than it ever has. Super easy to use and a great tool for the money.