Change front sprocket during chain set lifetime

[bonne]

I bought a new chain set. Dealer told me that it can be a good idea to change the front sprocket before the chain sets total "end of life".

The idea would be to change the front sprocket like after 10-15.000 km and then expect the total chain set to live longer since the front sprocket would not wear the chain any further.

My logics tell me that this is a bad idea. Chains and sprockets wear hand-in-hand so if you change front sprocket on an existing chain, the existing chain will no longer match correctly with the front sprocket and both sprockets and the chain will have to "readapt" to each other causing extra wear and stress on the whole chain set.

Any of you changing front sprocket ahead of time?

[crump]

I've got ro the stage now where I always change the chain and both sprockets at the same time.
Any time I've not changed them at the same time, the chain wears much faster.

[nigel s]

 I have a 14t ( one less ) front sprocket  on my 650 which wears that bit quicker than a std size. I use two fronts to a rear. The trick is to change it before it gets too worn and then it will not damage the chain. They are only £12 ish ( JT rubber damped ) so not a problem.
I also run a Scottoiler , so sprocket wear is my guide to changing the set not chain wear. When the rear sprocket is worn I will change the lot , chain and both sprockets.

[bonne]

I think mine is 17t standard.

Maybe it is because yours are smaller (and yes... I am talking about the front sprocket)

How do you know if the front sprocket is about to get "too worn"? Only by distance or you check it visually?

[nigel s]

You will have to remove the front sprocket cover to check. Trying to eye it down the chain line will not tell you anything unfortunately , you need to see it from the side. If you use a chain spray rather than an a auto oiler , then is also a good time to clean out all the "snot " that will have built up anyway.....horrible job...

[Ianmc]

     
        “ Any of you changing front sprocket ahead of time?”

   I try to keep an eye on the front sprocket wear when I take the guard off to clean it.When it starts visibly wearing,I turn it around,and then the next time change it to another rubber damped one.When the second sprocket is worn out it’s time for a new chain and sprocket set.

[nigel s]

Swapping round the front is an option on the 650. Never could bring myself to do it though    ,  what with the price of a new one. Not something my paranoia would be happy with doing on the much more powerful 1050 though. I have snapped a few chains , back when I was a skint youth pushing my luck , and so now it is something I get a tad OCD about , one of many motorcycle related things admittedly   

Ho Hum

[Rusty Nuts]

Only ever had one chain snap. On the mighty single cylinder thumper that was my CG125.

[porter]

I used to change the front sprocket every 12-15k miles with the chain and rear sprocket every 25-30 k miles but to be honest a never felt the chain lasted any longer really. A tight spot would usually develop at around the 21-23k miles mark. So now I just change everything every 25k. My last chain felt OK at that mileage and I thought I was changing it to early till I fitted the new one and the bike was so much smoother.

[pb]

I had my front sprocket changed on my 650 at about 15,000 miles, chain went on to cover another 8,000 before it needed replacing with both sprockets. The front sprocket is doing a lot more work than the rear one.