Wide wheels and offset sprockets, check those nuts.

[Billy Ricks]

For you guys running wider than stock wheels and offset front sprockets that are counting on Locktite to hold the nuts securely, don't trust it. I've had mine come loose three times now even when torqued down hard and with Locktite on the threads. The first time the nut was completely lost. The second time a few weeks back the nut was lying in the cavity under the countershaft cover. Then yesterday I was on the freeway in the middle lane of 5 lanes of traffic. I had to coast over to the right and off the freeway. I walked to buy a cheap socket set and when I got the cover off found the nut still on the end of the shaft. This time I did the usual as well as drilling the nut and safety wiring it to the sprocket. I'll check things again a few times to make sure the wire holds up.

The reason this is happening is when you get on and off the throttle the sprocket has a tiny bit of play between the splines and sprocket cogs. I also think over time chain lube breaks down the Locktite. This little bit of slip wrenches on the nut and pretty soon it's backing off. You may or may not have the same problem I've been having, but keep and eye on it. I know Dan and Dee are relying on Locktite to keep the nut in place. You guys pay attention, the nut could go through the crankcase, jam the drive chain, or just leave you stranded.

 

[kochic]

I have a 1/2'' offset front sprocket, i locktited it and put the locking tab washer.
Still tight after 15000kms.
Marc

 

[jwhelan65]

Thanks Billy, good info, now if only my bike with the offset sprocket were road worthy...

 

[Billy Ricks]

I have a 1/2'' offset front sprocket, i locktited it and put the locking tab washer.
Still tight after 15000kms.
Marc

On my bike there are no splines showing with the offset sprocket so the lock washers won't work. The first time I had the nut back off was probably 7 years ago. Then a few weeks ago it happened again, then again yesterday.

 

[salty_monk]

Billy,

Any pics of your safety wiring job?

What Threadlock are you using? (red or blue? Brand?) Have you tried any others. Also what Chain lube as that could be a factor....

Dan

 

[Steve]

What's a "sprocket"? :-k



Yeah, I know, we "shafties" have our own sets of problems, too.

(This is where you get to chime in and ask "what are splines?")

.

 

[posplayr]

On my bike there are no splines showing with the offset sprocket so the lock washers won't work. The first time I had the nut back off was probably 7 years ago. Then a few weeks ago it happened again, then again yesterday.

You might want to get another counter shaft sprocket. Mine is 3/8" offset and there is still enough spline for the lock washer to grab the spline.

 

[bobthebiker88]

how are you torquing it down? usually that lockwasher should be plenty, but I've also had bikes shed front sprockets and do lots of weird stuff because of it.

 

[Billy Ricks]

how are you torquing it down? usually that lockwasher should be plenty, but I've also had bikes shed front sprockets and do lots of weird stuff because of it.

Breaker bar and blue Locktite, if I continue to have problems I may try the red. With the '83 and up 700 and 750 models once you go offset there is no room for the lockwasher on the shaft for the washer to catch the splines. I was using a Superprox with 17 teeth and 1/4" offset. I went back to my 16 tooth Vortex because the 17 was a bit much and the bike felt slightly sluggish.

I'll snap a pic of the safety wiring first chance I get. Vortex sprockets have holes drilled around them and I ran the wire through two of them then back to the hole I drilled in the nut. As long as the wire holds up the nut can't back off.

Dupont dry lube with teflon is what I'm using for lube.

 

[makenzie71]

I check my nuts at least hourly. I did this before switching to larger wheels...hell I did it before owning a bike.

 

[salty_monk]

I used Red loctite on mine & put it on with an 12v impact driver... No problems yet but I will check.

I believe Dee recommended Red (plus that's what I do with the clutch hub nuts so made sense).

Could be the solvents in the lube, could be that the blue just isn't strong enough but also could be that the heat generated in that area & on that small sprocket are too much for the blue...

Wire tie makes sense. Apart from the fact that it's hard I guess you could drill 2 small holes in any sprocket. Interested to see how you drilled the nut.

Dan

 

[ukilme]

Instead of loctite. Could you not just safety wire the thing? It is usually better then loctite anyways.

 

[Billy Ricks]

Here's what I did. I just drilled next to the shaft at an angle. With my poor eyesight you can see I hit the edge of the shaft but it's not a big deal. The Vortex sprockets are already drilled so that made things easy. Just loop through two holes on the sprocket, twist, then through the nut and twist again. You want a bit of angle to the wire between the two points so it keeps the nut from turning at all. I know the nut looks like hell, but then it's been through hell. Still completely functional though.

 

[rapidray]

Hey, whatever works! Right Billy?!!! Ray.

 

[Billy Ricks]

Hey, whatever works! Right Billy?!!! Ray.

Yeah, it may not be pretty but it beats having to coast off the freeway.

 

[TheCafeKid]

The next best step might be drilling both the nut and the spline and running a lynchpin through it?

 

[Billy Ricks]

The next best step might be drilling both the nut and the spline and running a lynchpin through it?

I considered that, for now I'll see if the wire holds up.

 

[Guest]

I'm still using the stock lockwasher on mine, i had the sprocket machined down in the center, just a little bit more than the washer diameter. I run a 16 tooth also, i tried a 17 and didn't like it too.

 

[Billy Ricks]

I'm still using the stock lockwasher on mine, i had the sprocket machined down in the center, just a little bit more than the washer diameter. I run a 16 tooth also, i tried a 17 and didn't like it too.

Having the sprocket machined is something I'm considering if the wire doesn't hold up. As long as the wire doesn't fatigue and break then I'll just live with it.

 

[salty_monk]

My sprocket has two threaded holes in it from memory..... Reckon I could probably fashion some kind of locking tab using one of them although I'd still be relying on a thread.