New Chain and Sprockets. Do I really Need them?

[Gaz]

Dear All
The current chain and sprockets on my AT are 18,000 miles old.
I'm going on a 2000 miles trip around Europe soon so asked my local bike mechanic shop to check the bike over. I (perhaps foolishly) told him the age of the chain and sprockets. He told me I should change them because "18,000 miles is a lot for a chain on a V twin". To look at (but I'm no expert), the chain and rear sprocket seem OK, not excessively worn (the chain adjuster is on number 29 out of 40). I haven't checked the front sprocket mainly because I don't know how to, on account of the fact that I'm a bit thick with mechanical stuff (OK, I've just bought a Haynes manual so I don't really have an excuse any more. Comparing with the picture in the manual, the rear sprocket doesn't look worn). Anyhow, do you think that 18,000 miles means that my chain/sprockets are terminally ill or should I be happy with the fact that they look OK and there's plenty of adjustment numbers for the chain still to go?

If I do need to replace them, I plan to order a genuine Honda front sprocket (loads of threads on the forum recommend this), but not sure what rear sprocket and chain I should go for. I've seen someone recommend a "gold x-ring"but I confess I don't know what this means. Any suggestions please? PS Is changing chain and sprockets an easy DIY job or should I entrust this to my local mechanic?

Thanks
Gazzza

[boboneleg]

I am off on a euro trip soon and have gone right through my bike, new chain and sprockets, brake pads, oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter, checked valve clearances, check control cables etc, etc

This is an insurance as setting off without a bike in tip top shape could cause you unecessary trouble. I always do this at least a month before I go just incase there are any issues.

New tyres are ready to be fitted the week before we're off, you don't want to be running out of tread halfway back home.

This may seem a bit excessive but breakdowns because of an ill prepared bike are a pain in the arse.

cheers, Bob.

[djadams]

Best way to check the wear of a chain and sprockets is to try to pull the chain backwards off the back of the rear sprocket. A new chain on a new sprocket won't budge, (cos the teeth are full width and there's no slop in the chain links).

As the chain and sprocket wear, you can pull the chain further and further back until you can see most of the sprocket tooth!

So - try it and see. The guy in the shop may be thinking along the lines of a supersport v-twin with big power, which do eat chains and rear tyres. ATs are a different breed with low power and don't give chains a hard time (except off road).

The number of adjustment notches left is not a good indication of how worn the chain is, as it may not be standard number of links.

If the chain needs really regular adjustment, or has tight spots, it's on it's way out and needs to be changed. If it barely ever needs adjusting (or only when you change the tyre...) then no need to worry. 20k would be about all I'd expect from a chain though, so chances are it's very nearly shot.

As for difficulty of the job, it's not hard but then little really is. You must however not be averse to taking an angle grinder to it to take the old one off, and you do need a decent chain rivetter - cheap ones (£40) are worse than useless on some types of chain. Expensive ones (£90) are much better. If you're not going to be changing many chains, I'd take it to a workshop and get them to do it.

HTH...

[Gaz]

Thanks to both of you for the advice. Will follow it.
Regards
Gazzza

[lootch67]

I'd seriously recommend you check the front sprocket too. Mine was toast whilst the rear still had a fair amount of life left.