I've done searches on this website and I am still yet to find a good thread answering my question. What is so bad about an aluminum rear sprocket opposed to a steel one? What would the average life span for an aluminum rear sprocket be? And same goes for the steel.. What's the life span?
Braydon
Aluminum vs steel sprocket life
Life span is impossible to say. It depends on the bike, the chain, the rider, the cleaning, the lubing, the....
A quality aluminum sprocket will last a long time if cared for properly. Adjust the rear wheel by ensuring that the sprocket rides center in the chain and you'll get a lot more miles out of them. Those little marks on the swingarm arm mean nothing.
A quality aluminum sprocket will last a long time if cared for properly. Adjust the rear wheel by ensuring that the sprocket rides center in the chain and you'll get a lot more miles out of them. Those little marks on the swingarm arm mean nothing.
The x thanks for the input if you could look at this URL and give me your opinion on life span if properly lubed and maintained consistently. I ride a 05 cbr 600rr. I am still somewhat new to bikes and all the mechanics of them so your input is much appreciated! I purchased this chain and sprocket kit as the review were good.
http://www.jcmotors.com/p-15778-rk-...ck-acceleration-chain-and-sprocket-kits-honda-cbr-600rr-03-06.aspx#.UO8NTuy9KSM
http://www.jcmotors.com/p-15778-rk-...ck-acceleration-chain-and-sprocket-kits-honda-cbr-600rr-03-06.aspx#.UO8NTuy9KSM
Taken from motomummy site
" Stock sprockets are mostly all steel. This is a very heavy metal, but it lasts a long time. Most aftermarket sprockets are made out of aluminum (now you can get aftermarket rear sprockets in lightweight steel, this started in 2010). An alum sprocket won't last nearly as long as a steel sprocket. However, they came up with a procedure called hard anodizing which makes the sprocket much harder. This process in all makers turns the sprocket into a black or dark grey color. If your sprocket isn't that color you can forget your sprocket being hard anodized. Hard anodizing is said to double the life of an alum sprocket and make it last close to as long as steel if it's properly taken care of. Now there are even steel sprockets in 520 that are lighter then most others. Such as the Driven, Vortex, or Stealth superlight steel chain kits. These sprockets are about one pound heavier then a hard anodized alum chain kit like the Driven, but they will last longer as they have a steel rear sprocket. With these there truly is no reason everyone can't do the 520 conversion now. We would recommend one of these steel 520 chain kits over a hard anodized alum 530 chain kit any day of the week. They will be less weight AND last longer then a 530 with a hard anodized alum rear sprocket. These are not for everyone, but if you want a chain kit to last a long time then these are the kits for you."
Today alum. can last almost as long as steel but not quite. The question is do you want lightweight or long life. Thats why i got the driven superlight steel.
Or you can go with supersprox which is a hybrid of both.
" Stock sprockets are mostly all steel. This is a very heavy metal, but it lasts a long time. Most aftermarket sprockets are made out of aluminum (now you can get aftermarket rear sprockets in lightweight steel, this started in 2010). An alum sprocket won't last nearly as long as a steel sprocket. However, they came up with a procedure called hard anodizing which makes the sprocket much harder. This process in all makers turns the sprocket into a black or dark grey color. If your sprocket isn't that color you can forget your sprocket being hard anodized. Hard anodizing is said to double the life of an alum sprocket and make it last close to as long as steel if it's properly taken care of. Now there are even steel sprockets in 520 that are lighter then most others. Such as the Driven, Vortex, or Stealth superlight steel chain kits. These sprockets are about one pound heavier then a hard anodized alum chain kit like the Driven, but they will last longer as they have a steel rear sprocket. With these there truly is no reason everyone can't do the 520 conversion now. We would recommend one of these steel 520 chain kits over a hard anodized alum 530 chain kit any day of the week. They will be less weight AND last longer then a 530 with a hard anodized alum rear sprocket. These are not for everyone, but if you want a chain kit to last a long time then these are the kits for you."
Today alum. can last almost as long as steel but not quite. The question is do you want lightweight or long life. Thats why i got the driven superlight steel.
Or you can go with supersprox which is a hybrid of both.
By its physical properties, aluminum is a lot more malleable than steel, but a lot lighter also.
You just have to chose between weight/performance vs longevity.
You just have to chose between weight/performance vs longevity.
I'm with Nuttynu, I bought my bike with an aftermarket aluminum sprocket -1 +2. Didn't really care for the gearing but I could have dealt with it. But the rear sprocket didn't even last 3k miles. It could have been a junk brand, but I changed everything back to stock with steel sprockets.
if your not going for the win, IMO aluminum sprockets are useless for the street. i use steel and never drop to 520. id rather have reliability and longevity over saving a few ounces of weight saving.
Wouldn't an aluminum chain be more resistant to rusting? My stock chain is nasty right now after sitting for a month here in ny
I've had an aluminum 520 on the rear of my bike for the last 3 years and 30+ trackdays/race days. It still looks fine and I plan on running this year with the same sprocket. Its not even a "brand name" sprocket. Its a Parts Unlimited branded sprocket that I picked up for $25.
I think alot of the problem people have with aluminum is they dont know how to adjust their axle/chain properly, adding to wear.
I think alot of the problem people have with aluminum is they dont know how to adjust their axle/chain properly, adding to wear.
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