Keeping sprocket bolts tight

Moto East Mag
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Moto East Mag
Edited Date/Time 1/21/2012 5:49am
Is it a good idea to locktite the heck out of them the first time you put them on? I didn't have locktite when i put a sprocket on, and the thing drove me crazy loosening up.

But I figure locktiting the bolts when initially putting them on might not be a good idea because it hasn't "settled" yet.

And anyone know the number of links on a RM250 OEM chain?
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newmann
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newmann 4/21/2009 9:48am
4/21/2009 9:48am Edited Date/Time 4/21/2009 9:49am
Careful with the choice of loctite. They do have one that handles vibration but removes with little heat. I think the red releases at around 360 degrees, might want to google it. I always put some red loctite around the tapered head of the bolt where it seats into the sprocket instead of the threads. Torque them properly and never had one come loose.
Void Main
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Void Main 4/21/2009 4:42pm
4/21/2009 4:42pm
You definitely don't want them backing out or you'll end up with a broken hub. Been there, done that on my son's bike. Now I put a dab of red on them and haven't had a problem since.
bigmaico
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bigmaico 4/21/2009 6:55pm
4/21/2009 6:55pm
Just don't locttite them if they are brand new bolts, you need to let them seat in first then you can loctite them.
davis224
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davis224 4/22/2009 6:29am
4/22/2009 6:29am
Uh, count the links? If you want to buy a new chain though, get a 120 link.

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Iaresmart
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Iaresmart 4/24/2009 9:23pm
4/24/2009 9:23pm
If everything else fails then do what a friend of mine did. He was sick of the same thing happening repetedly after everything that you guys have mentioned so he ordered longer bolts and added an extra nut to each bolt to work as a lock nut. No more problems.
prillernut
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prillernut 4/25/2009 4:20pm
4/25/2009 4:20pm
bigmaico wrote:
Just don't locttite them if they are brand new bolts, you need to let them seat in first then you can loctite them.
sound wisdom, spoken like a man who has lived with a Maico Smile
500 Mike
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500 Mike 4/25/2009 5:27pm
4/25/2009 5:27pm
Why not Loctite "Blue"? That removed with hand tools and no heat. Been using it for years.
captmoto
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captmoto 4/26/2009 8:55pm
4/26/2009 8:55pm
Iaresmart wrote:
If everything else fails then do what a friend of mine did. He was sick of the same thing happening repetedly after everything that you guys...
If everything else fails then do what a friend of mine did. He was sick of the same thing happening repetedly after everything that you guys have mentioned so he ordered longer bolts and added an extra nut to each bolt to work as a lock nut. No more problems.
That was the fix on the 1977 RM370!!! Talk about old school. Get rid of the Fuji style metal lock nuts and go for the nylon insert lock nuts. Keep extra nuts and change them when you change sprockets. I assume you are using washers under the lick nuts right? Make sure the hub is spotless when you mount a new sprocket. I think your hub might be worn out though.
williamsmotowerx 4/26/2009 9:41pm
4/26/2009 9:41pm
The reason they loosen up is because your sprockets counter sunk taper is worn out or your hub's holes are elongated.
Iaresmart
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Iaresmart 4/27/2009 4:27am
4/27/2009 4:27am
Iaresmart wrote:
If everything else fails then do what a friend of mine did. He was sick of the same thing happening repetedly after everything that you guys...
If everything else fails then do what a friend of mine did. He was sick of the same thing happening repetedly after everything that you guys have mentioned so he ordered longer bolts and added an extra nut to each bolt to work as a lock nut. No more problems.
captmoto wrote:
That was the fix on the 1977 RM370!!! Talk about old school. Get rid of the Fuji style metal lock nuts and go for the nylon...
That was the fix on the 1977 RM370!!! Talk about old school. Get rid of the Fuji style metal lock nuts and go for the nylon insert lock nuts. Keep extra nuts and change them when you change sprockets. I assume you are using washers under the lick nuts right? Make sure the hub is spotless when you mount a new sprocket. I think your hub might be worn out though.
Yep, he used the nylock nuts with one of those 1/2 thickness nuts on top to lock it as well.
Iaresmart
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Iaresmart 4/27/2009 4:34am
4/27/2009 4:34am
williamsmotowerx wrote:
The reason they loosen up is because your sprockets counter sunk taper is worn out or your hub's holes are elongated.
On my friends bike you could easily see the elongation but still, the old extra nut as a lock nut worked without a problem for years. We all one by one got new bikes around 2002 but Brad still held onto his trusty old 1990 CR250R. I think he still has it.
Ozzy
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Ozzy 4/28/2009 2:45pm
4/28/2009 2:45pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 11:38pm
If you follow all above, you should be trouble free.
Sprocket could be suspect, the holes & countersinks, yet unlikely......
Your Sprocket nuts & bolts are suspect, if to old replace 'em all.......
I've never had an issue. Always use "Loctite Blue 242" or similar.
Red, never, at least for "Moto".........
Plus, everytime I adjust the chain, I check the sprocket bolts.
Each & everytime........................
Can't be too careful........It's just time.
Use yours wisely!
Dave O.Wink
CamP
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CamP 4/29/2009 6:32am
4/29/2009 6:32am
If your sprocket bolts come loose, the loose bolts elongate the holes in the hub and it's ruined.
partialperson
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partialperson 5/5/2009 8:20pm
5/5/2009 8:20pm Edited Date/Time 4/16/2016 11:46pm
100% household silicone fills the gaps, has a bonding agent and acts as a buffer for vibration and is really cheap. I've used it for years on my sprocket bolts and for good reason. Back in the day our sprint car had a problem with the wing bolts coming loose. These were aircraft bolts & locking fiber nuts attached to aircraft heim joints. Stress and vibration was a constant problem. Loctite product, all colors, wouldn't cut it, weatherstrip adhesive, wouldn't cut it, on and on until....
Moto East Mag
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Moto East Mag 5/6/2009 4:03pm
5/6/2009 4:03pm
Just FYI- I put on some MSR sprocket bolts with a coating on the threads- looks like rubber coating. Then I locktited it and no issues with loosening after a full mud race.
The MSR bolts fit a Renthal sprocket no problem.
Thanks for the advice guys...
JP
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JP 5/7/2009 8:00am
5/7/2009 8:00am
Why is everyone saying not to use red locktite? Just curious...
lumpy790
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lumpy790 5/7/2009 8:29am
5/7/2009 8:29am
Funny in 30 years of riding I have never had a sprocket bolt come loose. How are you tightening them?

I tighten the nut from the back side with the box end of a long or double wrench for leverage. I usually use 2 wrenches..... slip a larger size box end over the open end........ it gives you more leverage.
CamP
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CamP 5/8/2009 12:21pm
5/8/2009 12:21pm
lumpy790 wrote:
Funny in 30 years of riding I have never had a sprocket bolt come loose. How are you tightening them? I tighten the nut from the...
Funny in 30 years of riding I have never had a sprocket bolt come loose. How are you tightening them?

I tighten the nut from the back side with the box end of a long or double wrench for leverage. I usually use 2 wrenches..... slip a larger size box end over the open end........ it gives you more leverage.
I double up the wrenches too. I've never had a sprocket bolt come loose either and I use them over and over, and have never used any kind of thread lock.

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lumpy790
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lumpy790 5/8/2009 1:29pm
5/8/2009 1:29pm
I think the secret may just be tightening the nut from the back side....not from the allen side.
Sledneck
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Sledneck 5/13/2009 5:14pm
5/13/2009 5:14pm
TIghten from the allen side? LMMFAO, no wonder they have a problem

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