Front Sprocket Chain Guide Problem
 

07 KLX, 8,200 miles, 14t front, 47t rear (Primary Drive) with a 520 x 110 RDO Primary Drive Chain that I installed in 07. I knew last year that the chain was looking like it needed to be replaced and took off this morning made it about 50 miles went up off a small incline jump landed and chain broke.

I had a new one that I had on hand from Rocky Mtn. When taking off the front sprocket cover I noticed that the chain guide under the cover was all bent up and showed that the chain had been rubbing and looked like it broke and fell down on the chain causing the break? I am not sure?

I have not seen anyone mention the front sproket chain guide in any other threads and did a search as well. Has anyone else had this problem? I was more than likely not running the chain tight enough and that caused the wear and ultimate breakage of the guide...not really sure but it has all worked very good now for 7 years but only 8,200 miles. I ride very fast and 70/30 on/off road.

Is the front chain guide necessary (this is a metal piece under the front sproket cover) as we never had them when racing in the 70s? It is Part Number 12053-1337 in the KAW Parts Manual.

Thanks for any feedback.

I put mine on backward once too. I don't think I rode a whole lot of miles before discovering it, but by then the damage was done. My chain was fine, but I had to replace the guide. I don't know if they're necessary or not, but for piece of mind I replaced mine.

I think it is there to protect the engine case if the chain breaks and the end whips around the sprocket?

Good observation I guess $6-$8 might be a good investment although I was not going fast when it happened today the guide was bent to a point you could not tell what it was..

If I am thinking correctly, you are referring to the chain case saver. Not really a "Guide". Search case saver and you should fine something.

It is called a guide in the parts manual I have the part number (above) it is available. Just did not know how necessary the part was.

If you search "dan888"s posts about the case saver, he made a very nice and more robust model out of aluminum. However, he and some of the rest of us have wondered if the stock unit may actually be a sacrificial part. It may be that it guides the broken or jammed chain through the countershaft area, getting basically destroyed in the process. Dan's more robust unit may not "give" and possibly be the cause of potential case damage. The softer, more pliable OEM unit may actually absorb some the broken chain's energy/impact and route the broken chain on out the bottom run. Who know's for sure, and then there's the issue that every chain malfunction is probably not exactly the same in every case. I don't think I'd like to run mine without that piece in there, as I'm pretty sure it's better than nothing.

That is why we are on here and I asked the question...I will be replacing the front sproket guide now I think it may have performed as intended in my case today....I can't imagine something happening going 70 MPH!!