[Rad Rich]

Hello,
I have a 2017 classic 500 chrome.  I love it!!! I was doing a little chain lubricating when I noticed the rear sprocket looked weird.  Upon a little further inspection.... 2 teeth on the sprocket are kind of gone.  They are not together, have about three teeth in between the missing ones.  I'm not sure if i want to remove the rear wheel and put a new one on.  I called a Royal Dealer in Chicago. (about 45 minutes away from me) they said that there was a 6,000 mile service that I should do while it's there.  The guy said they would do a valve adjustment at that time.  I didn't think the 500 needed a valve adjustment?  Thought that was the 650's.  Am I wrong? or is the guy at the dealer wrong?
How hard of a job is replacing the rear sprocket, and should I also replace the front?  Also, can I still ride it?  Winter is almost here, but I think I still have some riding time yet.  Thanks in advance for your knowledge.

[Haggis]

Change both sprockets and chain gives the best long term results.
A new sprocket with and old chain is not a good practice.
And you are correct,  there is no valve adjustment on the 500 uce efi motor as they are hydraulic.

[gizzo]

The guy at the service centre is probably focussed on 650's so that where his mind was at when he mentioned valve adjustment? He gets a pass on that one.

The missing teeth: If it were mine, I'd keep an eye on it and keep using, seeing the season is almost over. When It's put away for winter, then do the chain and sprockets. If it's anything like my one, the front sprocket, which you can't see easily (or get to, for that matter) will also be totally rooted. May as well do them all at once as @Haggis suggested. You need to remove the RHS engine cover to get at the front sprocket, so also order in the flywheel cover gasket, maybe the oil pump o ring that falls out, and a new plastic oil pump gear if you're feeling paranoid.

IMO, FWIW, YMMV etc

[tooseevee]

Hello,
I have a 2017 classic 500 chrome.  I love it!!! I was doing a little chain lubricating when I noticed the rear sprocket looked weird.  Upon a little further inspection.... 2 teeth on the sprocket are kind of gone.  They are not together, have about three teeth in between the missing ones.  I'm not sure if i want to remove the rear wheel and put a new one on.  I called a Royal Dealer in Chicago. (about 45 minutes away from me) they said that there was a 6,000 mile service that I should do while it's there.  The guy said they would do a valve adjustment at that time.  I didn't think the 500 needed a valve adjustment?  Thought that was the 650's.  Am I wrong? or is the guy at the dealer wrong?
How hard of a job is replacing the rear sprocket, and should I also replace the front?  Also, can I still ride it?  Winter is almost here, but I think I still have some riding time yet.  Thanks in advance for your knowledge.

            Also along with what Gizzo and Haggis say, I would wonder what Caused the problem. Chain snatch? Lugging?

            And why can't the factory just put decent chains on their bikes from the very beginning? The crap chain problem is YEARS old & pretty tiresome.

[axman88]

Hello,
I have a 2017 classic 500 chrome.  I love it!!! I was doing a little chain lubricating when I noticed the rear sprocket looked weird.  Upon a little further inspection.... 2 teeth on the sprocket are kind of gone.  They are not together, have about three teeth in between the missing ones. 

5000 miles doesn't seem like enough to wear out a sprocket.  I'd suspect inclusion defects in the casting.  Can you post pictures?

[Morgan65]

5000 miles doesn't seem like enough to wear out a sprocket.  I'd suspect inclusion defects in the casting.  Can you post pictures?

Plus 1

I have 9,000 miles on my 2010 Bullet Deluxe. I replaced the chain at 6,500 miles so I’m thinking at 12-13,000 miles for both sprockets and a chain replacement.

If there are missing teeth on your rear sprocket, I would bet the front sprocket and chain are probably badly worn out also.  I would park it until you replace both sprockets and chain. Better to do that than risk having your chain snap on you while riding at speed.🥴 I hear that gets really exciting and I’ve heard of it locking up the rear wheel in the process.

[Richard230]

I have 10K miles on my 2011 Bullet and the original chain and sprockets still look like new. I have only had to adjust the chain twice, one tooth on the snail each time. 

[Rad Rich]

thanks for all the answers.  i will try and put up a picture.  I'm wondering how hard this replacement is to do at home.  I'm ok with the tools, but I will admit taking off the rear wheel scares me a little bit.  I wonder if my rear sprocket is a bolt on or the one that comes off while removing part of the rear brake drum.  I have a Haynes manual, I need to find it.  Haven't seen it in over a year and my wife likes to "put things away" garbage.

[Haggis]

You'll just love doing the front sprocket then.?
Right side engine case needs to come off.
New gasket required and a new oil pump outlet O ring.
A 46mm socket to get the sprocket nut off.
See the fun you'll have..👍🔧🔧🔧

[Roadie]

2 teeth missing means a faulty sprocket. Probably the hardening process gone wrong and the sprocket become brittle. If the rest of tbe teeth look unworn then teeth missing isn't going to wear out a chain. Pull the chain outwards at the back of the rear sprocket (9 oclock position on a 500) as long as you can't see a big gap between the chain and teeth then the chain isn't worn out so the front sprocket also shouldn't be worn out. At 5k if it hasn't been through a lot of rain or dirt riding they shouldn't be worn unless they were bad quality to start with. I'd say keep using it but keeping your eye on that sprocket incase more teeth fall off. If the chain isn't worn you may get away with just replacing the rear sprocket knowing that next time all will need replacing a little sooner than if all was new now.

[Crabsapper]

I can't believe people are suggesting to keep using a sprocket that has two teeth missing. 

[gizzo]

I can't believe people are suggesting to keep using a sprocket that has two teeth missing. 

Why? Short term, until riding season finishes, what's the harm? There's still plenty of teeth left. For sure, replacing both sprockets and the chain is the right thing to do, long term.

Do you have a bad personal experience doing that, or are you repeating something you "heard"?

[Crabsapper]

The harm? Really?

Plus, on the risk/cost balance, just fix it or get it fixed.

I don't need to rely on things I've heard on the Internet, thanks.

[gizzo]

The harm? Really?

Plus, on the risk/cost balance, just fix it or get it fixed.

I don't need to rely on things I've heard on the Internet, thanks.

Really, please, tell me. I'd like to know. Because maybe I've been doing it wrong for years....

[Crabsapper]

I've had my say,  you've had yours. The OP can make his own mind up.