As the chain wears out, so do the sprockets. The effect of wear on a roller chain is to increase the spacing of the links, causing the chain to grow longer. That's why you need to make it spin to find the stiffest point (where you will make the final adjusment to the chain's tension). You might get the impression that the chain is too loose. Don't worry; what matters is that no extreme tension is applied to the teeth of the sprockets, otherwise the pressure on the transmission bearings and rear wheel hub will be too high.


Choosing sprockets
There's a variety of sprockets on the market, from steel to aluminum alloy. The former is cheaper while the latter proves lighter and more durable. Aluminum sprockets also maximize performance. That's why you should avoid steel sprockets on a dirt bike; their heavier weight affects power distribution.

When choosing a chain, you must know the exact distance between the center of two consecutive links, not to mention the width of the chain. Remember that when a chain replacement becomes necessary (due to excessive wear), you have to replace both the chain and sprockets.


Photo Credit : Henri Lebarbé, Honda