Chain and Sprockets

While the bike is down for the rocker work, I'm having the chain and sprockets done; this is primarily to change the drive ratio (going up to a 40-tooth rear), not because parts are worn. I'm also adding an AFAM rear sprocket carrier, which allows you to just change the actual chain ring, rather than the entire sprocket.

An additional benefit to the AFAM unit is that it has been designed to not allow the cush drives to move rearward out of the sprocket carrier. A somewhat common problem with the stock unit is that the cush drives separate (I believe because the rubber comes apart), work their way backward, and tear up the eccentric in the swingarm. End result - you need a new swingarm (although this has been covered under warranty).

As it turns out, I've gone with the titanium/aluminum cush drives that European Cycle Specialties sells, which already prevent this problem. At the time I bought the cush drives, though, I didn't know that I'd be going with an AFAM sprocket carrier.

	Front side of the AFAM rear sprocket carrier.
	Closer view of the AFAM unit, which shows the lip on the backside which prevents the cush drives from backing out. I understand this is a feature of the newer AFAM units, and that earlier models didn't have the lip.
	Backside view of the AFAM unit.
	Closer view of the rear of the AFAM unit, again showing the lip which prevents the cush drives from backing out.
	The steel front sprocket, stock number of teeth.
	Steel front sprocket, other side.
	Chain and sprockets should be replaced together; I'm using a DID VM X-ring unit in the stock 520 size.
	Closeup of the chain.

Last modified: Wednesday, 04-Oct-2000 17:24:32 PDT
Questions/Comments/Problems: Paul H. Yoshimune