Changed Chain and Sprockets

[ging500]

hello

last weekend i changed the chain and sprockets on my Honda cbf 125, my problem is that when I took off the front sproket it was incredibly tight and now it moves backwards and forwards on the out put shaft and wobbles slightly.

The front sprocket on this is attached with two bolts holding a plate in place. This plate sits in a groove for which you turn the 2-3', match the bolt holes and splines and bolt up. however as i said above it now moves.

I have also kept the old front sprocket on (not replaced with new on) as this was just as loose and my thinking was at least it is the sprocket that i have taken off. There is nothing in my mind that is different to how i took it off. I have driven the bike for a week now and it hasnt tightend up with the torque.

Any ideas or exsperience would be good, as at the moment apart from getting a Haynes manual and taking it all apart again im at a bit of a loss as to what to do????

[Wicky]

"I took off the front sproket it was incredibly tight" and "I have also kept the old front sprocket on (not replaced with new on) as this was just as loose"

You contradict your problem i.e 'tight' and 'loose' - but a little bit of play with the sprocket on the shaft is perfectly normal, just make sure the retainer is bolted up to the correct torque and if applicable a bit of loctite (consult your manual)

If the output shaft is wobbling then start worrying....

[tony.mon]

It's meant to be free to move, or rattle around a bit on the splines.
That's so that it can self-align with the chain run.

But if you've fitted a brand new sprocket and it's still loose the splines on the output shaft might have worn. Probably not, though.
Hope not, as it's an engine strip to replace the shaft.
But real easy compared to the same job on a Firestorm....

[ging500]

I totally understand and take you comment that when it came off it was very tight and when i replaced it back on it was loose as being a contradiction. that is why it is a bit of a concern as it was so hard to take off (had to use a small tap of a hammer to wobble it off). The output shaft should not be worn as the bike is only is less than 2 years old. !

thank you for your comments though. any other thoughts would be welcome

[Wicky]

"I have also kept the old front sprocket on (not replaced with new on) as this was just as loose and my thinking was at least it is the sprocket that i have taken off."

You might want to put the new sprocket on to go with the new chain. In the long run running with a worn/hooked sprocket runs the risk of breaking and allowing the chain to slip/break with catastrophic failure. Suggest you buy the manual ASAP as you are tinkering with literally 'life & death' maintenance. In the interim good to ask here if something doesn't feel or look right.

[ging500]

Yeah totally agree with you wicky, i would have changed the sprockets if they were hooked or worn in any way. The chain had died but the sprockets were good as new. I changed the rear one as i had the new one and the front was one was put back on due to there being a bit of play in it.
I now the chain had died as i punched out two rivets and they had gone rusty.

Was looking to get away with not getting one as hopefully looking to get a bigger bike soon !! Thank you for your comments wicky and tony!!

[benny hedges]

last weekend i changed the chain and sprockets on my Honda cbf 125, my problem is that when I took off the front sproket it was incredibly tight and now it moves backwards and forwards on the out put shaft and wobbles slightly.

all hondas are like that m8, no need to worry.
what tony said is bob on.

[Kev L]

How old are you mate? Not grooming, honest, just nice to see a young un getting their hands dirty and learning about bikes.
My daughter has a CBR600RR in the same colour scheme as your 125. She doesn't get her hands dirty, I do.
Good luck fella, hope it works out for you.

[Wicky]

If you are planning on selling it on would you describe it as having new "chain and sprockets" or a new chain and sprocket?

Was looking to get away with not getting one as hopefully looking to get a bigger bike soon !!

If your planning on purchasing a +£1000 litre motorcycle soon, scrimping on a £5 sprocket seems a tad tight ;-) Running a bigger bike entails splashing out significantly more on consumables than smaller bikes (esp fuel with the storms mpg!) so think about budgeting for that in the future.

[ging500]

How old are you mate? Not grooming, honest, just nice to see a young un getting their hands dirty and learning about bikes.
My daughter has a CBR600RR in the same colour scheme as your 125. She doesn't get her hands dirty, I do.
Good luck fella, hope it works out for you.

haha !! im 25 and and this will be my second small capacity bike !! I do love gettiing my hands dirty, helped my brother do bits and pieces with his storm and this is the first job i have done on the bike apart from changing the brake pads last year. would love to get my oily mits on it a bit more but do have to hold myself back as there is a big problem with getting parts for the bike and it is under warranty !!

If your planning on purchasing a +£1000 litre motorcycle soon, scrimping on a £5 sprocket seems a tad tight ;-) Running a bigger bike entails splashing out significantly more on consumables than smaller bikes (esp fuel with the storms mpg!) so think about budgeting for that in the future.

I take ya point wicky, wasnt looking to skrimp on consumables, the chain and sprockets was quite exspensive compared to that of a storm ( it is a Tsubaki O ring chain that was over £70) . i meant trying to get away with out buying a haynes manual, although not sure whether they do sell them yet.