2023 KX450
This is the fourth chain slider I've had on this bike in only 47 hours. Stock one surprisingly held up well but wore down by the mounting bolt. Second one (ACERBIS) shredded apart in one ride. Third (TM Designs) lasted about 15-20 hours. Threw another TM Designs one on at 47 hours and it's essentially ruined after one ride. My chain is adjusted to spec (48-55mm) like the manual recommends, my chain adjusters are even and my rear axle is also torqued to spec. Chain and sprockets are in good shape with only 11 hours. Running an EK X ring chain but the two previous occurrences were with a DID. I'm really puzzled. Has anyone had this issue too or can someone point me in the right direction? Really bummed after just spending $200 and seeing it shredded apart after riding today.
I know on certain KTM models people were altering sprocket sizes (but staying close to the same ratio) to improve the chain angle for handling characteristics. Might be worth looking into seeing how much you can alter the angle of the chain to avoid this issue. I feel like something has to seriously be wrong to smoke a TM designs slider in a few rides.
I just running stock gearing which is 13-50 on this bike, nothing crazy. It seems to work good track to track so i'd like to stick with it. Something is wrong for sure. What is it? That's what I trying to pinpoint. I'm really bummed had such a good day of riding today after a month off. Go to load the bike into the truck and then i see this. I've been in contact with a kid from TM Designs who's been really helpful. I'll email him
Are you positive you don't have the chain too tight? F the manual, pull the shock bolt and see if the chain gets tight. My chains look loose when it's correct, and I went through sliders every 10 hours, never shredded any. I would wear the guide out at 20 hours, TM designs and Acerbis.
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2nd double checking your slack, looks tight in the top pic. How are you measuring it?
On my 2019 I got 40 hours out of stock, acerbis was made of butter, and I've got lots of hours on the tm one (though I hate how loud it is).
Yeah been doing that trick for years. Did it recently and my chain was perfect.
Why do you think the guide is shredded? The ridge is chewed up a bit from the chain landing on it but does that impact it protecting the swingarm? I get 100hrs from my stock Yamaha ones.
Obvious question but is the front sprocket nut tight?
Yeah, torqued to spec just like all other major nuts on the bike. I don't understand the first part of your post. You're insinuating I should just keep running it?
Here's the Acerbis slider from earlier in the year. This was after one session of riding. What the hell am I doing wrong?? Can these bikes just not handle an O-Ring chain or something?
I had the same issue on a KX450. The pivot point on the swingarm is closer to the chainline than most bikes, so wearing out chain sliders is always going to happen (unless you go larger on the front sprocket, but that's not a realistic solution due to changing the power delivery).
OEM Recommended chain slack is the way to go.
If the chain is too loose I think it would make the wear worse as the chain slaps onto the pad more often when loose.
Too tight would put more wear on the sprockets and reduce action of the suspension.
I found that buying the cheapest chain sliders I could find and replacing it often was best for me. The more expensive sliders seem to be taller, so they wear more quickly because they have more interference with the chain path. Also because the premium sliders are taller, the chain loosens tension quickly as the pad wears, creating excess slapping / wear until you re-adjust the chain.
Interesting. I'm really considering going back to the stock one because it seemed to hold up good. I'm so tired of dealing with this. Do you run an O/X ring chain or just standard?
I used O/X ring chains only, other than the first few rides on the OEM chain.
Yeah same here. Looking back at my notes from last year when I got the bike, I think only put about 3-5 hours on the stock chain and sprockets before going to an X ring. Rode that chain on the stock slider for about ten more hours, switched to the Acerbis then all of this nonsense started.
I got the most hours out of the stock sliders.
The way it is wearing into that center ridge almost looks like a misalignment issue. Use one of those laser alignment tools or take the chain off the bike and put a long straight edge against the rear sprocket and see how it lines up with the plastic pad.
Is it me or is your chain adjusters not aligned the same? The lines look to be off
I thought the same thing but sometimes the marks are off.
I was thinking the same after looking at it more. I'm a bit puzzled how Works Connection recommends lining them up.
Pit Row
I have WC chain blocks also, the lines should line up evenly on both sides, your sprocket side is even on swingarm line #3 and your brake disc side is back further almost at 3 &1/2 back.
Run your chain further back. It will handle way better. Our model likes it the axle back.
This bike already handles amazing. The thing I hate the most about it is that I don't have more time to ride it! Lol!
Yes I’m thinking that middle ridge just wears down until the links hit the flatter bit and then it all wears down together. I thought the centre ridge was just a guide to get keep whole thing in line while it wears in.
I am at around 100HR’s on the KX slapper. Hint, I adjust by feel and not to a spec. There is a reason its called a slapper and you are getting too much slap.
Which generation KX450? Also you're the only person I've ever heard call it a slapper.
It's a '17 but the same issue with all of them. The 250's same thing.
Are you chucking them when they look like the picture? Cause that still has plenty of life on it imo. Just check when it's getting too close to the swingarm and replace it then. I wonder if chain slack has an effect at all here, as majority of wear on the top is going to occur when on the power, and the chain is fully tight at that point. Too much slack will wear the bottom of guide quicker in my experience.
I suspect the quick wear you are seeing is just cause the slider is a bit too tall, and its gonna cut it down very quick when it's rubbing at full power until it settles in. But never had a kawi myself
Not chucking, definitely going to keep riding with it as I troubleshoot. I think I'll try the stock axle blocks to see if I can get the wheel more square. They're much more symmetrical than the Works Connection ones.
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