Triumphrat

JasonS · 10-05-2006

The shop manual says if 21 pins >321mm, replace the chain.

Are they being ultra conservative, conservative or realistic?

doesn't seem logical that a chain would stretch unevenly, but there it is...

2ndSpace · 10-05-2006

Chains don't stretch. They wear. Generally in the rollers. I have never measured. I have always checked it at the rear sprocket.

RexxyPup · 10-06-2006

Nope, they aren't being conservative. Mine reached 321ish at 24k miles, and it was clunky on the gear change and going from closed to open throttle. There was much more vibration throught the pegs too (a good sign on my bike that the chain is too loose).

By stretch they mean the increase in length due to wear in the pins and O-rings.

If you have reached that, then change it. The techie at the Triumph dealers used the same pull-it-off-the-rear-sprocket as 2ndspace refers to, and his opinion matched the measurement. I marked a small back dot towards the rear of the swingarm. When I had one link just abscured behind the chassis upright near the pivot, the bkac dot marked 321 from that.

While you are there, take the front sprocket cover off and see if the teeth are hooked. If they are it is chain and sprocket time..... go for the pre '02 set as it has an 18T front not the 19T that your's comes with. It will make a nice chunk of difference to acceleration.

If you don't specify the pre 02 kit they will say you are going non-std by asking for the 18T, and the front 18T, rear and chain as separate items cost much more than the pre 02 kit!! :-D

Rexx

[ This message was edited by: RexxyPup on 2006-10-05 23:04 ]

Pcdabbler · 10-06-2006

If you run it too far before changing it, It'l just snap on you ayway and hole the crankcases. Change sooner rather than later, or there will be tears. :wink:

JasonS · 10-06-2006

I am noting a real increase in vibration from what I assume is the chain... I have 18k on it with a lot of loaded up riding and me being in the 250# range... my guess is that I do have a worn front sprocket, and the rear is worn a bit... the chain however measures great with a good 13mm before it hits the 321mm mark.

I meant to ask about vibration but forgot... because I have noted and increase feel through the feet.... if the drive chain setup is causing this much feel in the feet, what is it doing to the drive chain a head of the front sprocket...?

I think I am OK for the rest of the season and I'll do a complete change over in the winter to new chain and sprockets...

thanks for the responses

2ndSpace · 10-06-2006

I only got 12k out the OEM chain and about 25k out of the sprockets. Worn sprokets will cause a chain to wear faster. I got a set of sprockets at Sproket Specialist for aroun $70 and a D.I.D VM chain for about $100. Much cheaper than the Triumph kit. My D.I.D chain is well over 20k miles and still good. I wiegh about 75# less than you, but that should not matter. You discribe for riding as more laid back distance type where mine is hard on hte throttle through the mountains. Of course I have to throw in the occasional 2up wheelie.

RexxyPup · 10-07-2006

I forgot to mention that I run a ScottOiler on my 24k chain!

Best £70 chain maintenance I ever did!

Rexx :-D

ruscook · 10-07-2006

RexyPup.
is that 24K miles or kilometres? I got 43000kilometres out of my TDM OEM Chain and Sprocket set but that was excessive as the front sprocket had lost a couple of tips and got razor sharp on the rest :-)

I'm currently up to 23000 kilometres on the OEM sprint set and have only had it adjusted once at the 10000K service. I'm getting the 20000K service next Fri so we'll see how it goes. I tend to ride reasonably hard and am heavy on the bike (literally at 120KG) so I hope to get about 30,000plus out of this one.

I'm using the Loobman. Not as clean as the scotty but 20% of the price and much easier to fit, also uses engine oil so is easy to fill.

Using engine oil means I can have the loobman drop oil where I park and in am improvement to Triumphs of old, I'm leaving engine oil every where without depleting the stock in the engine itself :-) The Loobman is worth it for that alone :-D

Russ

rodneybrown · 10-07-2006

I changed my stock chain and sprockets at 14K miles because it measured the 321mm per the manual AND the pundits all said to change the sprockets and chain at the same time. That AIN'T gonna happen again. After a bit of investigation I found just about no one does the test in the shop manual to include the techs at your local Triumph shop. Just about everyone does the rear sprocket test. Also my sprockets were fine and did not need replacing.

IMO, far too many chain lubes create an abrasive paste that shortens both chain and sprocket life.

RexxyPup · 10-08-2006

that's 24,000 miles, with lots of 2 up with serious luggage (see the camping albums!) And I do like to twist the throttle!

The front Sprocket was distinctly hooked, and the chain had reached the extension limit, so it was replaced at the 24,000 service

Wow that TDM chain went the distance!

Rexx