XT 350 front Sprocket dilemma, flew off shaft

[XT350DC89]

I purchased a sprocket combo set on EBay for around $50. 19/ 55 and chain

It appeared to be Chinese

I used for 1 year

Front sprocket jumped off of shaft

All tongues on sprocket holder were fully blown out

1. Was the Chinese sprocket not the right offset versus stock, therefore wearing prematurely on the engine case side of the sprocket?

or

2. Did I put the sprocket on backwards? I would think I would notice the threading feeling backwards as I put it on which I didn't.

3. What the general rule for installing a front sprocket?

Number side out, in, no numbers, if it has bolts then facing tight right/lefty loose? Side winder tells me one thing, sprocket specialists tells me another, a vendor tell me a third. There really seems to be no consistency in this process. Perhaps, put it on, check the alignment, flip it, check the alignment, and then pick the better way…

I think it was the wrong sprocket for the bike. While generic sprockets may fit the splines this probably was clearly not the correct offset.

In the meantime, I bought:

OEM front Sprocket

OEM rear Sprocket

New RK MXZ chain

Motion Pro chain alignment tool

OEM Front sprocket collar

And I will definitely install this one right.

Any opinions? I simply want to learn from this mishap.

Please stick to the facts of this thread. I really do not want to hear about and side 520 conversions etc.

[YZEtc]

I think your logic is correct:

Either the sprocket was junk or it was installed incorrectly.

Was the holder plate in good shape when it went on?

Basically, you're gonna' have to make sure the front and rear sprockets are aligned before you button it back up and drop the clutch.

If the front sprocket is too far inward or outward, flipping it around before you ride the bike (or getting a correctly-made sprocket) is the way to do it.

I wouldn't expect someone at the other end of the phone line of sitting in front of their PC to know the exact answer to your XT-350 question.

They'd probably have to be there with you looking over your shoulder to be sure.

[XT350DC89]

The holder could have been OEM 21 years old.

The bolts went in Tighty Righty, so I installed it correctly.

I simpy think the Ebay crap was not the correct part or if it was intended to be correct the offset was not to OEM spec. precisely.

[clkinaz]

A year of riding and now it's the sprocket's fault? Maybe it wasn't the best quality but after a year, it's not defective materials, it's lack of maintenance.

[pd350]

umm ...

03-13-2010, 10:34 AM

[YZEtc]

Since it's been brought up, I wonder how it's holding up.

[pd350]

OK . I'll bite . How is it holding up ?