Thrilhou's Maintenance Thread

[thrilhou]

I always had a "general maintenance thread" with my other bikes, but they were always vintage models that I purchased used. Never felt the need to do that with the FTR1200, I guess because it was new. But now that it is getting older and approaching 20,000 miles, I figured I would start. Here goes...

 

[thrilhou]

I'm a bit late on the 15,000 mile service. In THIS thread, I posted about a bend front rim. With a new valve and tire, I still was loosing air, so it seems the bend was enough to affect the sealing. A new wheel for me, then. I was able to find a used set in excellent shape for less than the price of a new front wheel, bearings, seals, etc. from Indian. Mounted it up and everything looks good. I had also noticed that there was a fair amount of corrosion inside the rim that was bubbling up the powder coat:



This is after brushing the powdery aluminum oxide away, along with some loose paint. This is near the bend in the rim. You can see the bubbling towards the edge of the rim. I was concerned that this might be from the tire lube I used (Murphy's liquid), but I used the same stuff on my rear wheel and it looked great when I changed it. Perhaps it is related to the bend (moisture ingress or something)? Not sure. This tire was also the last time I used irons to mount a tire before I got a machine, and it was very difficult to mount (perhaps the hardest one I've ever done). Maybe I gouged this section with a lever and didn't realize it and that started it.

Now, both tires are mounted and it was super fast using the Olmax Motors tire changer. Great machine.

 

[thrilhou]

The manual states to replace the drive chain at 15,000 miles. I missed that, so I made a note to order a chain and just keep going until it arrives later this week. I'd better check the sprockets and chain sliders, too, right?

Well, the sliders all look to be in good shape with minimal wear, but the rear sprocket...



That is totally cooked.

I thought I was being pretty good about chain maintenance and this is certainly not the first motorcycle I've done this many miles on while doing my own maintenance. I was careful about alignment, for sure. Perhaps I have been measuring the chain in the wrong place on the swing arm? I think if if measured closer to the swing arm pivot, it could lead to a too-tight condition.

Looks like I will be purchasing new set. I went with THIS from PJ's. Am I correct that 17/49, 118 links is the stock setup?



Looks like I will need a new locking washer, as well. Bummer, I had just placed an order with Polaris. Now I will need to pay shipping again. Boo.

Is it required (or advised) to replace the studs on the sprocket carrier when changing the driven sprocket? It doesn't seem the manual specifies that, so assuming I should be good to reuse.

 

[ferraiolo1]

116L if you’re going with the 49t. I personally like the 45 or 46t and a 114L chain.