I, maybe too hastily, bought a new Renthal 15 tooth 530 front sprocket on ebay for my stock drivetrain on my '94 900RR with 13K miles. Yes, I am one of the 6 in the country trying to support an industry. I apologize if this has been extensively covered in the past. Please let me know if the following is true or if you have any tips or comments on the process. First, can I replace the front sprocket without breaking the chain? Second, will my chain be stretched too farin accomodating the new sprocket? It is atthe halfway point on the swingarm gauge right now. Any help is really appreciated. This forum has been a great resource for knowledge. Thanks again.

 

You SHOULD be able to replace it with out breaking it. However.......it may not be stretched TOO far but at 13k.....no matter what it says on the gauge it should be replaced. It's like this........sprockets and chains wear together as they add miles up. An old chain will ruin a new sprocket in short order, just as a used sprocket will ruin a new chain just as fast. It's always recommended to change both sprockets (front/rear) and the chain at the same time. With care you should have no problem getting 20-22K out of a chain/sprocket combo assuming you take care of it even a little bit. I would spend the extra money and do it right or you'll be doing it again in 4k.......it's not enough fun to warrant that much work is it? It's not to me.

My vote...........replace it all and enjoy the maintance free of a new chain for the next 20k.

My tip......first and I mean FIRST thing you do when replacing the front sprocket.....is start with the front sprocket. Use the rear brake to keep it from spinning.......then procede once that nut is off. When putting it back together........that will be your last step again using the brake to hold everything from spinning while you tighten it.

Good luck.

 

^ took the words right out of my mouth. Glad you got a good deal, but replace it all at once. I honestly thing it'll give ya problems if ya only replace just the front.

 

+1 and +2

 

Yeah. Thanks alot for all the great response. I was planning on doing the whole 520 swap soon but I got this sprocket for 9.95 on ebay (530) and thought it would be fun to try it on my stock 530 system before I replace it, otherwise it will be useless when I switch to 520. You are right for sure and I want to do the whole deal but do you think it would be ok to just do it for a few thousand miles to see if I like it or is it dangerous?

 

It shouldn't be dangerous..........if you just want to do it then by all means........do it, just know that the sprocket wont last very long before it's in the same shape as the stock one. If your chain is decent and rolls fine it'll probably make it until you are ready to swap the whole deal. The worst that'll happen is the sprocket will wear faster........possibly break a tooth off, get stuck in the roller, bind the chain and lock up the rear tire sending you into a high side and then on the ground. LOL......no you should be fine to test it and then replace it all.