CR250 sprocket

**99CR250** · 11th April 2010, 22:20

hi

i bought a '99 CR250 and took it for it's first ride today. half way round the trail the chain started slipping and looking at the front sprocket it was clear it was being rounded down, fast.

I need to remove the front sprocket, any tips about how to do that ie. will it be clockwise or anticlockwise, do i just put in gear? any tips appreciated. cheers

do i get a sprocket from CycleSpot or any recommendations where? also snapped a clutch lever so need one of them too....

when i bought the bike i looked at the back sprocket and thought that looked alright, didn't pay much notice to the front sprocket. i did notice the chain was a little loose, but hadn't gotten round to asking someone how tight its meant to be, or tightening it up. i'm curious, would a loose chain tear a front sprocket apart in a few hours ridiing or was it probably already clucked before i started?

thank you

**Sunday Casual** · 11th April 2010, 22:37

First of all, drop the chain. Your front sprocket will either be bolted or held on by a circlip. Either way, remove the clip or bolt and the sprocket should slide off the side, exposing the shaft.

Another helpful tip, don't buy a genuine Honda clutch lever, if they're like the KTM ones, they are far too overpriced and you can buy other replacement ones that aren't OEM for at least half of the OEM price.

You will need to replace the front sprocket, no two ways around it. It is best that if you are replacing one, to do them both inc. the chain as only replacing one will result in premature wear, in the end costing you more.

It is best to invest that extra capital in order to save yourself in the long run.. trust me. I have tried just replacing the rear sprocket in an attempt to cut cost but all that happened was that the new sprocket quickly wore, defining my cost saving scheme a failure.

There are many reputable brands out there, some better than others. PBR, Talon, JT or Afam sprockets tend to be alright but if you want to splash out, Renthal will result in a longer life. I use the KTM SXS sprocket (48t), it has a steel outer and an alloy inner. These composite sprockets tend to be a little more expensive, but the extra use out of them is worth it. I have had two of these on an old bike and I managed 80+ hours out of each, in comparison to the 25 hours I received out of the standard unit. I believe that Renthal have developed a similar style sprocket. They tend to have greater resistance in comparison to complete-alloy sprockets. As for the chain, opt for the 'o-ring' type; less stretch and a longer life.

So concluding all this, although the rear sprocket and chain may be alright, buy the whole new kit (i.e: sprockets and chain) and replace them all at the same time. But by all means keep the old chain and rear sprocket as a spare because you never know..

Oh and another helpful tip make sure your sprocket bolts are tight and have loctite, and don't be afraid to spend a little more on it all..

A loose chain will have affect on sprocket wear, but not to that extent. In short, it is likely that the sprocket(s) were rooted before you bought it and this just pushed it..

Hope this all helps.

**99CR250** · 11th April 2010, 23:04

hi, thanks for the brand names and loctite suggestions. i appreciate the 'replace all' is the appropriate thing to do but having just bought a couple of bikes and a load of gear etc, i'm gonna have to go with the diseconomy of just buying a sprocket for now, with a view to getting both sprockets & a new O-ring later.
where's the best place to buy (walk in, not mail order, need immediately as riding this week) this & a clutch lever on North Shore/Auckland City?

Thanks for your comments

**Sunday Casual** · 11th April 2010, 23:08

Originally Posted by 99CR250

hi, thanks for the brand names and loctite suggestions. i appreciate the 'replace all' is the appropriate thing to do but having just bought a couple of bikes and a load of gear etc, i'm gonna have to go with the diseconomy of just buying a sprocket for now, with a view to getting both sprockets & a new O-ring later.
where's the best place to buy (walk in, not mail order, need immediately as riding this week) this & a clutch lever on North Shore/City?

Thanks for your comments

I understand where you're coming from. Replacing them all is not a cheap option!

I would have thought that CycleSpot will have them in stock, but if they don't you may be in luck with cycletreads, in Barry's Point road, Takapuna.

**Rupe** · 11th April 2010, 23:30

Originally Posted by 99CR250

hi, thanks for the brand names and loctite suggestions. i appreciate the 'replace all' is the appropriate thing to do but having just bought a couple of bikes and a load of gear etc, i'm gonna have to go with the diseconomy of just buying a sprocket for now, with a view to getting both sprockets & a new O-ring later.
where's the best place to buy (walk in, not mail order, need immediately as riding this week) this & a clutch lever on North Shore/Auckland City?

Thanks for your comments

Spectrum off barys point road, or cycletreads would be my pick. I also think steel sprokets would be fine unless you are a top rider, but then you'd get them for free anyway!

Bark busters save hands aswell as levers.

If your chain is too tight it will eat sprockets also, if you go into spectrum they could maybe show you how tight they'd run a chain and how to check.

**B0000M** · 12th April 2010, 07:40

real info

the cr has a bolt on sprocket. this undo's just like a normal bolt, chuck the bike in gear, and if its real tight have a mate hold the rear brake on as well.

theres no need to drop the chain to change a sprocket on a cr, especially if it has a loose and rooted chain.

you wiill however need to remove the front plastic chain guard (if it still has it- most people remove it) and the steel guard thing. thats just done by removing the 2 bolts holding it on. one of these bolts is really long, one isnt. dont stress.

chain tension should be set with someone sitting on the bike, and around at the back end of the rubber chain guide on top of the swingarm you should be able to move the chain about 40mm top to bottom.

adjustiing it is done by loosening the main axle nut (32mm) and then using the adjuster bolts and (fitst loosen the locking nut which is 10mm) wind the adjusting bolts out to set the chain right. make sure the wheel is straight by ligning up the marks marked above/below the axle blocks by the adjusting bolts. once done, ensure the wheel is pushed foward so its sitting hard against the adjusters, and tighten the axle up. check again that its straight. if so, tighten the locking nuts on the adjuster bolts up, and you're done..

to save you money, someone may have a cr sprocket that is half worn out nearby you could have.

**Crisis management** · 12th April 2010, 09:10

Originally Posted by 99CR250

i bought a '99 CR250 and took it for it's first ride today. half way round the trail the chain started slipping and looking at the front sprocket it was clear it was being rounded down, fast.

We met.......I was the old bloke on the KTM that stopped & talked to you, how did the sunbathing go? Obviously they got you out alright, as far as the sprocket replacement goes, inspect everything (both sprockets & chain) and then decide whats affordable now and when you will replace the lot.

Cheers
Iain

**99CR250** · 12th April 2010, 11:21

B000M, Execellent, just what I needed, cheers. I've now ordered a sprocket, should get tomorrow, ta

**99CR250** · 12th April 2010, 11:24

Hi Iain, yeah what a bliss day, I thought I'd be there for hours but someone came on a quad to recover the CR80 after not that long. I followed a road like route back to base. Glad I stopped there! Cheers