Chain & Sprocket Kits

XLMOTO Chain and Sprocket Kits: Everything you Need to Know

The chain and sprockets are among the most important aspects of your road bike but it's surprising how much we take them for granted. Here, we'll be taking an in-depth look at the final drive and examining its various aspects and components. We will cover every subject from chain ID codes to adding extra teeth to ensure you choose the correct chain and sprocket kit for your motorcycle.

Regular Inspection and Maintenance

To get the most out of a motorcycle chain, routine inspection and maintenance is a must. It's important to keep the chain tension at the right level. If the chain is too tight, the chain will wear quickly and the lubricant will be lost. If the chain is too loose, excessive vibration and pulsation can occur and cause damage to the chain. Adjusting the chain is also a perfect opportunity to inspect the final drive components. You can find specifications for how tight the chain should be in your motorcycle's manual. If the chain is okay but looking a little dry, a few quick sprays of chain spray will have you ready to go.

Drive Chain

Unlike those on a dirt bike, road bike chains experience different loads and stresses. Despite fast acceleration or prolonged high-speed cruising, the chain often has a slightly easier life. However, dust and grit will still try to grind the links away and a heavy throttle hand will mean regular maintenance. To inspect the chain for wear, put the motorcycle on its main or paddock stand. If you have neither, the side stand will do. With the chain still on the bike, go to the 3 o'clock position on the rear sprocket. Then, pull the chain away from the sprocket. This check will tell you if there is any excessive play in the links. Then try moving the bottom row of the chain from side to side. The amount of slack movement is an indicator of how much wear has occurred. Chains may appear indestructible but they do stretch. Manufacturers say stretching between 1-1.5% (of its length when new) is normal wear and tear. When stretch reaches 2%, the chain will cause damage to the sprockets. So the bottom line is any signs of excessive wear and it’s time to invest in a new chain. On the plus side, regular maintenance and lubing of your chain will extend the life of your chain and sprockets.

Front Sprocket

Front sprockets are available in various grades of carbon steel. Yet, as tough as they are, wear still occurs. Check for sharp or pointed teeth. In extreme cases of wear, you may even see hooked or snapped teeth.

Rear Sprocket

Whereas front sprockets tend to be solid, rear sprockets have symmetrical patterns machined into them. These patterns rid them of as much weight as possible. Also made from toughened steel, rear sprockets wear faster on road bikes. The good thing is, they are also easier to see, so make sure you check them on a regular basis. Wear patterns are the same as the front sprocket, so look out for hooked, sharp or chipped teeth.

Chain and Sprocket Kits

As we now know, rear sprockets wear out faster than front ones. Meanwhile, when it comes to wear, chains work to their own timetable. For this reason, it's reasonable to think that you may not need a chain and sprocket kit. However, the thing to consider is that a worn rear sprocket is also an indicator of chain wear. So replacement of these two items at the same time is a wise move. As for the front sprocket, any wear may prematurely damage the chain unless it's in a new condition. Replacing the chain and sprockets as a kit will give you peace of mind and mean your bike is running at its optimal level.

Types of chain

When looking through XLMOTO's extensive collection of drive chains, you will notice every chain has a three-digit number, for example; 530, 525 or 520. Chains are measured in ⅛-in so the numbers relate to size. For instance, on a 520 chain the number five represents ⅝-in or the distance between two pins. The last two numbers relate to the size of the roller width.

Sealed Chains

You may also see O, X or even W-ring chains. These letters refer to different shaped nitrile seals fitted in between the chain's inner and outer link plates. These seals keep the grease in and the dirt out. The different letters relate to the number of contact points. If you're wondering whether the seals are a gimmick or the real deal, on average, an O-ring chain lasts 1.5–2 times longer than a non-O-ring chain.

Altering the Number of Teeth on a Sprocket

Changing the number of teeth on a sprocket can have a noticeable effect on a motorcycle's performance. For faster acceleration, either go down one tooth on the front or up three teeth on the back. Alternatively, go up a tooth on the front or down three on the back to increase the top speed. Many people use this as a quick fix for track days, depending on the track's layout. If you're considering altering teeth for the road, make small changes at a time. As when it comes to sprockets, a little goes a long way. On a final note, increasing the number of teeth on the rear sprocket may require a longer chain. If you have concerns about ordering the correct chain and sprocket kit, use the XLMOTO drop-down menu. Here, enter your bike's make, model and year to ensure the right fit. Also, be aware that some chain and sprocket kits allow you to customize your selection by giving you a choice of sprocket sizes and chain lengths.