2020 MS950S Sprocket/Chain Replacement

[nasher75]

I've read a few older posts of 2017-2019 models where people did sprocket and chainset swaps, but I have a 2020 and having an issue right now. 

2020 MS950S.  Factory chain started shedding Orings at 6000 miles.  So I decided to replace everything and go up 2 teeth on the rear. 

Bought the set from sprocketcenter.com.  I installed everything and it seemed to look good.  Spinning the wheel was a little noisy, but I figured new chain and sprockets might need to wear-in.   After a quick spin around the block, I noticed the outer plates of the chain had a wear mark all the way around.   The only place where there could be contact was under the front sprocket cover. 

Sure enough, the chain was making contact with the Slave Cylinder.  Very minimal, but still contact.  Called sprocket center and they claim all Ducati sprockets are the same.  I removed the sprocket and they confirmed it was the right part number.

I started looking through parts fiche on AMS and Ducati of Omaha and they showed that the front sprocket PN changed from 2019 to 2020.  Sprocket center once again said they are all the same but then I came to find out that Superite(sprocket brand from SprocketCenter)  showed multiple PN's for Ducati and no listing for my year.  I called SC again and they agreed there were multiple PN's but they should all be interchangeable. 

I'm measured the width of the sprocket they sent me and they compared with other PN's and found the widths were slightly different.  This was important to me because I need a narrower sprocket.  Foolish me because I finished the install 2 days ago and only test ride today after tossing all the old parts so I have no way to compare them because this morning was garbage day.  sh#t!!!!!!!

So, sprocket center is going to send me another master link and then narrower sprocket for me to try and of course my local dealer does not have one in stock. 

I'll reply back when I find the correct solution, but I'm curious who else has done after market sprocket replacements and what they ended up using.  Also curious to know what model year you have for comparison. 

Front sprocket is only $40 from AMS so I think I'll order that as well, to be safe.  Cutting it close on time as I have an upcoming trip that I paid for.

Thanks

[DesmoD]

I will try to weigh in on this as best as I can with my notes taken at the time... But I feel your pain on this, I have a 2019 950S which had the same issue as yourself (at least in terms of the chain would be too close to the clutch master cyl).

Like yourself, my OEM (DID HV3) chain started shedding O-rings, first time Ducati kindly replaced and by 1500 miles the second chain did the exact same thing 

The quick reaction purchase led to me getting a set of JT Sprockets (front & rear) along with a DID 525 ZVM-X Chain (I thought to just buy a real high end chain).

Front JT Sprocket was 1.1mm wider overall (it was the boss rather than a change in actual tooth width) and the ZVM-X chain was also 0.9mm wider on the outer plates. The rear JT Sprocket was within a quarter mm (its powder coated rather than the OEM chemical black) so no worries here.
I still went ahead with fitting and got uncomfortable when I saw how close the chain run to the Slave Cylinder, it would miss it, but with chain float I suspected it would impact (which you have confirmed).

My solution in the end was to use a new OEM Front Sprocket (Ognibene purchased through a Ducati Parts company) in combination with a JT Rear Sprocket and a DID VX3 Chain. The VX3 was more than suitable in strength and it comes in at a similar width to the HV3 chain.

[nasher75]

I appreciate your comments as I also chose the ZVM-X chain and didn't realize it was wider overall, than the original chain, but I guess that makes sense since it is rated as a heavy duty chain.  Did you just eat the cost of the chain, or did the supplier take care of you since it wasn't suitable for your application?

This has me a little worried now because I really don't have a lot of time before my bike needs to be operable for a paid tour I signed up for 6 months ago.

I'll have to see how the fitment looks once I get the other front sprockets.  I just won't join the chain until I'm sure...

[DesmoD]

Chain width is just something I never considered before. Countless Bikes with Chain & Sprocket replacements, but the Ducati design really fills every spare inch  .

Fortunately I was lucky to have the supplier happily take the chain back with no more than a few greasy fingerprints on it. Like myself, they also couldnt believe the chain was this close, but maybe it was from a data file not considering the Hydraulic Clutch Cylinder.

But I feel for you as nothing worse working within these time constraints over something that shouldnt really be a problem.

I will amend my original post, but just realised that I have mixed up some of my numbers on the front Sprocket. In my case the JT sprocket was actually thinner than the Ognibene, so really it comes back to the Chain being the culprit for me. I remember I just didnt want to run the JT as I didnt want to introduce any unnecessary misalignment. Sorry for any confusion here 

But its still the case that the ZVMX is wider than the HV3 or VX3. So when fitted with the ZVMX on standard sprocket, it was basically touching.

I guess its down to you fitting when the new (thinner) sprocket arrives and seeing how comfortable you are for space.

Just looked at the Ducati.com Parts manuals (https://www.ducati.com/gb/en/service-maintenance/spare-parts-catalogs) and I am seeing the same Part No. for the Front 15t Sprocket (44910792A) between 2019 & 2020. In this case its an Ognibene 7285R15. I know you already disposed of yours, but from my notes I have it down as 17.2mm wide (might help for reference to your new sprocket).

I know time is against you and you have already bared the cost of a pretty high end chain, but the VX3 might be a solution to this problem you have. I am not sure to the differences between our Bikes, but realising my mistake with the JT reference, it did seem like the Chain was the offending item here.

[nasher75]

Thanks again for taking the time to post and share your experience.  I’ve found a dealer in the US that has the OEM sprocket and it will arrive tomorrow.  I’ve also gone ahead and ordered a VX3 chain from Amazon which will be here on Saturday, so maybe I can salvage part of my weekend.  At this point, I just want the bike up and running.  I’ll sort out the mess of money spent after the bike is operational. 

Cheers!