Hello. I was recently riding my ds650 and the chain roller busted right off..after inspection and thought...i came to the conclusion that a "Roolerskate" wheel works PERFECT..its got a barring and fits perfect..and it is very very hard material. I have yet to ride on it..but i think it will work awesome! Any input?

 

Same solution. Have about 20 hrs of riding with a skateboard wheel on mine. No wear showing, just some discoloration where the chain has hit it. Of course, since I had to buy a set of 4 at the skateboard store, I am prepared in case it ever has problems.

I used 4 bearings on mine, that way the wheel doesn't slide up against the metal where it is mounted. Some wheels may be different and don't need 4.

I didn't shave down the outside and leave a rib in the middle like the stock one was. So, the diameter of the wheel is actually the diameter of the rib on the stock one. All the other atv's/cycles I have seen or had never had a rib on them, so I don't think it is needed. Kind of curious what the purpose of it was for though.

 

TM Designworks makes a replacement roller with bearings. It's in the 'Shopping Club' in the back of the September issue of 4-Wheel Atvaction magazine. Phone 541-535-1612. They list the price at $35. I'm not a salesman for TM but anyone that hasn't already changed the roller might as well get it out of the way. The stock one is very inadequate. I had been watching mine, it was doing fine and then all the sudden this week it self destructed, big chucks of rubber missing. It's now flat on one side. I will be ordering mine soon.

 

I was reading the posting on the one from TM and decided not to go that route.

1. People were saying it was backordered and took a long time to get.

2. It is smaller than the stock one, which may or may not be an issue.

I decided to go the skateboard route. Could have it right then and cost less. 4 wheels and 16 bearing (had to buy them in sets) cost $20. Now I have 3 spares.

 

www.bombardierds650.com has a review on TM Designworks' chain roller.

 

They said that I was getting the last one they had made up yesterday when I called. They were out of black so I am getting white. I will give it a try and see how it works. Was the stock one supposed to spin or not? It does have a lock nut on it. Mine wasn't completely gone when I noticed but was getting close to a half circle.

 

Yes, I believe the stock one was suppose to spin, and I believe the lack of spinning is what rips them to pieces.

The original design was a metal sleeve that was mounted on a bolt. It would spin, sort of.

When I took mine off, right after it was ripped to pieces, and looked at it, there was some build up between the sleeve and the bolt and wouldn't turn at all.

The sealed bearings should work much better.

 

I haven't been into skateboards in about 15 years, so I am seriously out of the loop. What brand, size, part numbers etc. worked for you. I have a skateboard shop just down the street that I'm sure will have them.

I have not notice any problems with mine yet, but it would be nice to get replacements and keep them in the truck in case I need to replace them, or maybe even swap out before it goes.

Thanks,
CRT_Leech

 

The stock chain roller does spin, or is supposed to. If the bolt is too tight, then it hangs up. Even when it spins properly, it wears out because there are no bearings. Moose offers one at a fraction of the price of that other one. Just get the large chain roller with bearings.

 

The stock one is a poor excuse for a good part. It is so soft and brittle. Once it gets a flat side on it it doesn't matter if it spins or not, it always stays with the flat side down and then proceeds to self destruct. I got my replacement from TM yesterday but haven't installed it yet.