Sprocket questions

[ed]

Hi Guys

I've just collected my 2001 TC Dynaglide from the tyre fitters. I usually remove the back wheel myself, but as the offspring has pinched the car for two weeks it was take the bike there and leave it time. The fitter has knocked a small chunk out of the rear sprocket, as far down as the top of the teeth. He has dressed this, and it seems clear of the belt,and smoothe.
I have, however, several questions that someone may like to or be able to answer:

Am I heading for a chewed up belt if the rim is not continuous? He has offered to 'weld' the alloy and to dress it back to profile. Will this be worth doing?

The sprocket itself looks quite worn, with corresponding but lesser wear on the belt. At 32,000 miles, does it need replacing anyway? Do I presume that the front will be worse, or is it of hard steel and much harder wearing? If only the rear sprocket is replaced, will it soon be excessively worn if the belt is not also replaced?

As an extra, the fitter has replaced the wheel spindle the other way round, saying that this is safe, and easier now that the exhaust will not have to be removed to withdraw it. Is this advice correct, and if so, why is it put in from the RH side in the first place? I have always, despite the time taken, removed and replaced the wheel with the components in the same order as Mssrs Harley and Davidson put them together.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.


Ed

[Mr B]

The belt should run 1/16" from the outside edge of the pulley when going in a forward direction. When reversing, it will touch the edge of the pulley, this is normal. If you have damage to the edge, it will contact the belt when going backwards. This is going to shorten the life of the belt considerably. I would change the pulley now, and not get it welded, as you say it's worn anyway. If you don't..you may be doing it sooner than you thought.

The spindle can be fitted the other way round. The only reason the factory put it in that way round is so that the silencer will stop it working all the way out if the nut ever came off.

Brian.

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by Mr B

The spindle can be fitted the other way round. The only reason the factory put it in that way round is so that the silencer will stop it working all the way out if the nut ever came off.

I've never heard that explanation before Brian.

See an alternative discussion on the merits of spindle reversal HERE

IMO the pulley damage is unlikely to cause accelerated belt wear, but if it was up to me I would get the pulley replaced, because the garage did the damage and I would expect them to have a 'duty of care.'

[ed]

By Gum! You would have to be a very insensitive yank not to notice that the axle was on its way out! Thank you for the prompt reply.

I think that the only sensible thing to do is replace ye olde sprocket. Any thoughts on replacing just that (reasonable) or the belt and front sprocket (probably not affordable, as I am now on a fairly small pension)?

Thank you

Ed

[Ming the Merciless]

Best practice dictates replacing the lot, but I know loads of riders who've done 70,000 miles or more on the original pulleys and belt, so I would be inclined to replace just the damaged pulley. But it's your call - you've got to do whatever your budget and ideas allow.

[Mr B]

Originally Posted by Ming the Merciless

I've never heard that explanation before Brian.
'

Ming, I actually read that somewhere on here. It does make sence if you think about it.

Brian.

[grbrown]

Difficult one this! I do not believe the belt is at any risk, as long as there is no intrusion into its space at the area of damage. As they get older, the rear pulley in particular, as well as the belt, take on a pretty knackered look, but their overall service life can be considerably more than they have given you to date.

As Pete says, it is normal to replace the lot at the same time. I have actually done this on my bike at a similar mileage, but only because I was making other radical changes.

I cannot help thinking that the tyre fitter has damaged the poor thing and he should make good. The damage would probably have happened if Ed had taken the wheel in, as the most likely reason is clumsy handling of the wheel while out of the bike.

Replacement of the pulley is the preferred option, but he has offered to repair it. I think that could prove difficult, as these things are not simple and there is the likelyhood, when welding it, of harming the teeth.

I'm inclined to suggest you find out how much a new pulley costs and see how much the fitter will contribute. They are easy to replace.

[English Steve]

I would be very concerned that welding on the pulley will cause it to distort and run out of true. If a repair is undertaken, I would suggest it should be done cold using something like JB Weld.
As has already been said, the favourite solution has to be to replace the pulley IMHO.

[ed]

Thanks for the advice guys. I feel just the same about welding, and it may well leave an edge to catch the belt as well as distort the pulley. I have a new sprocket and bolts on the way from the dealers for £178! I'll fit it myself and let no monkeys near it, then take the bill to the soon to be ex-tyre supplier of mine, together with the opinion that 50,000 or so miles is about OK, and therefore some sensible contrib. on a 32,000 mile sprocket would be in order. It depends on how much he values his reputation, of course. I simply cannot afford to change belt and front sprocket!

Enjoy the sunny days, especially brill here in South and Mid Wales where the roads are truly superb - but be careful of speed camera vans if you visit, as it seems that they have been breeding them over the winter.