Ted Palmer wrote:
> I would think that a loose output shaft bearing would be a better
> indication.
You're totally right, I am lucky enough to have only heard about this
phenomenon on the list and never had to deal with it first hand.
> The design of the retainer has bugged me for some time.
> The retainer only seems to be about 1/2 spline out of line,
> where most people would put the splines in the retainer one
> whole spline out of line so that the shaft splines contact all of the
> spline on the retainer.
> Maybe one day when I fit a new retainer, I'll slot the bolt holes
> in the retainer to move its splines around a bit further.
My father is sending me his big ass Nikon macro lens with a ring flash
on it so that I can get some good pics of how the Jake Jakeman retainer
teeth *completely* overlap the CS splines. The retainer is also about
twice as thick as the stock and being that Jake is much better machinist
that KHI, I had to touch up the retainer teeth with a file, as the
groove on the CS was not well machined from the factory. Comes with 10.9
grade bolts as well.
>
> The other thing to consider with that design of "floating" sprocket
> is that the life of the shaft splines might be improved with a bit
> of chain lube onto the splines whenever the chain is sprayed.
> Since the sprocket will move around a bit anyway, it might as well
> be lubricated when it does it.
>
> I don't recall the manual mentioning any need to lube the splines,
> but the stock sprockets are not higher quality, solution heat treated
> steel like the ones I use, so the stock sprocket centre should wear
> a fair bit more than the shaft.
>
If you were to look at the new style sprocket retainer system (the 28mm
nut), I think you'll agree with me that KHI moved to that so that the
floating sprocket UDF would not be a problem. I think that this was
another UDF by KHI which they should have fixed with a thicker, machined
retainer that is spaced properly (as Jake's is) rather than a big ass
unwieldy nut that is a friggin pain to change in the field. Who the heck
wants to carry an 18" breaker bar and socket with them? On my A5 all I
need is my 10mm socket wrench.
I have been running PBI sprockets, which I would assume are better
quality than stock, but since that has only been within the past 1000
miles, I think that the majority of the wear on my splines was from the
stock sprocket and the 'floating' sprocket UDF (i.e. about 8,000 miles).
So that is why I think its worth moving to Jake's kit ASAP if you've a
pre-1993... I feel it is a great $20 of preventitive maintenance.
My two pesos.
------------------
Zack
Banana Republic of Washington, DC
KLR650A5 "Buster" | KLR650A2 | ZG1000A1 | KZ440A2 | KX125G1 | 1966 Vespa
125
COG #4664