[gizzo]

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

No, you've dissed a few people who said they'd keep using the damaged sprocket for a short time (BTDT). But you haven't backed yourself with any reason for taking that position. If you're just hearsaying, your input is as useless as a Fillingham's. So pray, do tell. The OP might benefit from whatever wisdom you have to share.

I don't mean to sound obnoxious but I'm a bit tired of the teeth sucking "I wouldn't do do that if was you" brigade. For all I know, you're really Roger de Coster and you have world titles under your belt.

[Crabsapper]

Nah, too much anger on the net. It's all entrenching, polarising, link tennis, name-calling....
If I said I was an engineer with decades of experience, and a lifelong biker, would it make any difference? Probably not. Somebody will still say that its ok because they did it once.
Fortunately the forum rules allow me to state an opinion, regardless.
If you or anyone else chooses to think its worthless or whatever, fine. Move on and ignore. It's just a motorbike forum.

On the same page about SF though! At least I haven't set up a channel for my un-backed up opinions!

[gizzo]

Nah, too much anger on the net. It's all entrenching, polarising, link tennis, name-calling....
If I said I was an engineer with decades of experience, and a lifelong biker, would it make any difference? Probably not. Somebody will still say that its ok because they did it once.
Fortunately the forum rules allow me to state an opinion, regardless.
If you or anyone else chooses to think its worthless or whatever, fine. Move on and ignore. It's just a motorbike forum.

On the same page about SF though! At least I haven't set up a channel for my un-backed up opinions!

If you were and engineer, it might make all the difference in the world.
Take our very own lucky phil for example. You don't have to like him, but when he gives tech advice you can take it to the bank because he has the runs on the board. His opinions, on the other hand, are very much take it or leave it. But he doesn't present opinions as fact.
That's very much an internet thing. Fall for that and next thing, you're drinking bleach to cure flu. Meanwhile the opinion giver takes his bat and ball and runs home when he's asked to explain. 😉

[axman88]

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

If the teeth aren't adjacent, and they didn't take a big chunk of the sprocket with them, I would definitely ride in favor of pushing or hiring transport.  If the damage is such that it's threatening to toss the chain off, or break it, that's another story.

I ride an old "skip tooth" Shelby Hiawatha regularly. (picture attached)  It's missing 26 teeth on the drive sprocket and 10 on the rear.  Gotta stand on the pedals to get up hills too.  If anything, it seems smoother than my bikes with 1/2" pitch setups.

To the OP:
I'm in Chicago, near the Irving Park exit of 90/94 on the NW side.  If you need some help with replacing that sprocket, I could volunteer.  I consider that a pretty easy job.  If there's any motorcycle I have owned, that makes the job of removing the rear wheel particularly easy it is my C5, although I have the drum brake version.  Show up with your replacement sprocket and take me out for lunch, and I'd be happy to help you, gratis..

[Crabsapper]

If you were and engineer, it might make all the difference in the world.
Take our very own lucky phil for example. You don't have to like him, but when he gives tech advice you can take it to the bank because he has the runs on the board. His opinions, on the other hand, are very much take it or leave it. But he doesn't present opinions as fact.
That's very much an internet thing. Fall for that and next thing, you're drinking bleach to cure flu. Meanwhile the opinion giver takes his bat and ball and runs home when he's asked to explain. 😉

You see, I don't agree with most of that, so working from a totally different base, it's going to end up that we agree to differ.
It's OK.

[Rad Rich]

first off,
Thanks again for all the advice.  All of the remaining teeth look fine.  The two missing teeth have three fine teeth in between them.  i plan on having it fixed next spring.  I have another bike to ride.  I will try the pull the chain off the sprocket thing.  Thanks again for the help!!  73 degrees in North West Indiana today.  Yeah baby!!

[gizzo]

I had to look up the temperature conversion. 21 deg c. Perfect riding temperature!  .
Have a good one.

[Rad Rich]

Axman88,
Thank you so much for the offer.  I just might consider it.  I am a big fan of letting someone else's expertise guide my actions.  I just might have to DM you for a number.  I live in St. John, IN about 9 minutes off of 394 down Exchange road.  A nice lunch with a few beverages seems like a great deal!!

Thanks again,

[Spitoonface]

Hi there Rad Rich, the same thing happened with my 2010 C5, there were 3 broken teeth ( 2 next to each other and 1 further round).
I left it for about 2000 miles, then the chain snapped. On investigation 8 more teeth snapped off which jammed into the chain. The chain and sprockets were in good condition prior to this event.
Further investigation revealed the teeth were very brittle, and I replaced it with Hitchcocks two part drum/ sprocket. No problems thousands of miles since.
Hope this helps you decide what action to take.
Mike.

[Rad Rich]

Hello Axman88,
I am going to try to do the sprocket chain changeout tomorrow.  Man I wish there was a video in english on youtube.  I don't know why I am so chicken with this repair.  i have all my parts.  Wish me luck!! any last minute tips are appreciated!  Rear and front sprocket change and chain change.
Thanks,

[Rad Rich]

Well, I did it!  I'm pretty proud of myself.  I know on this forum it might not be a big deal, but this was by far the most complicated and intricate work I have ever done on any motor vehicle.  Had a hard time remembering where all of the pieces went on the back tire axle.  getting the lock nut on the front sprocket tight was very hard because of a lack of tools.  My only issue is while replacing the exhaust system.  I don't feel like I have an airtight seal coming off the engine.  I have ordered the exhaust copper gasket (the old one looked really messed up) but it won't come until August 22-25 (India) The seal is pretty good, but i can sense that some exhaust pressure is escaping out of the front.  Am I safe to ride the bike, or will I do damage to the engine?  Some advice would be very appreciated.  Thanks!

[axman88]

Congrats on successfully completing the task.

With shop rates as high as they are, I find that tools generally are paid for on their very first use, but I don't buy NEW, or top quality.  Here in the big city, there are weekend flea markets where anything can be had for 25 cents on the dollar vs. new.  That's mainly where my tools came from.  The other nice thing about tools, is that if you buy them 2nd hand, you can generally resell for just what you paid, ... if you don't break them.   There's only two kinds of tool;  those I have and those I need! 

One thing I'll do to improve seal at the exhaust port is to make that port connection tight first, then tighten any other exhaust mounting points subsequent.

One could scissor cut an additional layer of gasket from exhaust gasket material and slip it in under their used copper gasket ring.  https://www.amazon.com/Graphite-Flexible-Gasket-Sheet-0-5mm/dp/B09MSDYKNF/ref=asc_df_B09MSDYKNF/   
I'd probably try to dig a suitably sized piece of automotive exhaust gasket out of a box of old car parts and cut that into useable shape.

Seems like I've read here on the forum, that silicone sealant makes a "good enough" joint sealer, but there is goop made for this job.  https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80335-Muffler-Tailpipe-Sealer/dp/B000BOAZM8/ref=asc_df_B000BOAZM8/    I don't recall using this stuff, except as a "final repair, next stop scrap yard", so I'm not sure if it sets up hard or is easy to scrape out when the proper seal arrives.

[Rad Rich]

Thanks for the reply!  Should I drive the bike, or wait until I get the new copper gasket?  I am going to try to see if I can feel any exhaust escaping tonight.  I couldn't really feel any yesterday, but it seemed that engine noise was escaping from the front.  I did connect the exhaust to the header before I attached the remaining brackets.  When i pulled out the copper exhaust gasket it was oddly shaped.  It seemed like one side was flatter and the other side wasn't crushed as much.  I just love the bike and don't want to damage it.  I could be totally wrong and there might be no leak.  I was a little pissed as well, the chain that Hitchcock's sent me (Reynolds 102) was not an O-ring chain.  The guy said it was better than a Royal Enfield, but I was surprised to find it not an o-ring chain.  I also had to reuse the bearing.  I bought some off of Ebay and they were not right.  Bearing seemed to be in great shape though.  Came out and went in pretty easy.  If I can't feel a leak do you think the bike is same to drive?  I was also amazed that the two bolts that hold the exhaust to the header were not that tight at all.  Thanks!

[Rad Rich]

Out on a ride now. I coyld.not feel any type of a leak out of the exhaust by the engine. I guess I kind of forgot how she sounded. I've been riding my other bike. Sounds way different. I was an idiot driving for so long on the old sprocket. I'll post.a picture.

[axman88]

Should I drive the bike, or wait until I get the new copper gasket?  I am going to try to see if I can feel any exhaust escaping tonight.  I couldn't really feel any yesterday, but it seemed that engine noise was escaping from the front.  I did connect the exhaust to the header before I attached the remaining brackets.  When i pulled out the copper exhaust gasket it was oddly shaped.  It seemed like one side was flatter and the other side wasn't crushed as much.  I just love the bike and don't want to damage it.

It probably would have been best policy to put the gasket back into the same position that it was in originally. 

I would think that having a leak at the port could exacerbate popping in the exhaust, and affect the O2 sensor, but I've certainly ridden and driven machines with less than perfect seals without incurring any damage that I noticed.  It just deposited carbon on the sealing surface that I had to clean off when I got around to fixing it properly.