Skiptooth Conversion

[Ozark Flyer]

Hey all. I did a bit of searching, but didn't come up with much. I'm thinking of converting my new project bike over to a skiptooth system. I have found the Shimano rear conversion sprocket on the Bay. I have seen old crank sprockets being sold by fellow members here. Now, my only missing piece is the chain. Does anyone reproduce these? Or would I have to get a good used one,which seem to demand a pretty penny? If it's gonna be too much trouble, I'll probably just stick with what came stock. Thanks in advance for any help-Mike

Skiptooth setups reline the cool-o-meter. Go over to the auction site and buy a clean looking used diamond for $50 - $75 bucks. Drop it on and ride it hard. Worth the price. I've bought two of them with no issues. I've cleaned up rusty frozen ones from old bikes by soaking a week in both Evaporust and industrial purple cleaner from the depot and rode the heck out if them too. No biggie. Go for it!

[TornadoDave2]

I know this is an older topic..... and i don't know if you are still working on your skiptooth bike.... but of you are, you may just want to try a standard 1/8 chain to see if it works. Not all skiptooths were made the same and I've run across some that will work with 1/8 chains. I've got a 1940's Columbia skiptooth that works just fine.

[fordmike65]

I just happened to get a deal on a sweatheart crankset & a good used chain in the classifieds. The part that was supposed to be easy,isn't. Now I can't find the rear sprocket that was sold by Skiptooth2 on eBay. I've messaged & emailed but no response.

[expjawa]

The skip tooth sprocket on eBay comes and goes, and when he sells one, its usually a few days before he posts another. So, you'll just have to keep watching. I need one as well, so hopefully he hasn't run out of them... If he has, I wonder how tough it would would be to spline an old sprocket to a new SA or Shimano one. It ought to be straight forward enough in a lathe to turn down the outside of a 3-tab sprocket, then open up the center of the skip tooth so that they match, then weld. We have the machining capability were I work, since we make precision gearing systems...

[TornadoDave2]

if the problem is with chain fit, you can always file 1/16th of an inch in thickness off of the chainwheel's teeth, and use a standard chain and rear sprocket..... since the pitch is a compatible 2x situation.

[expjawa]

Seems like it would take a long time to file off 0.062" off of the sprocket teeth, especially if there are 26 of them, and doing it evenly. You'd be faster putting it on a surface grinder, but even that would take a little while. You'd still have the issue of the alternating pitch of the sprocket teeth, which won't quite match the 1/2" chain pitch...

[fordmike65]

Thankfully skiptooth2 responded to me and I now have one of his hub sprockets on the way! Anyone else interested? $18.50 shipped.

[fordmike65]

Just in case you need one...

http://myworld.ebay.com/skiptooth2?ssPa ... EM:US:1181

[expjawa]

Thanks for the link. It'll be handy to be able to get a hold of the guy. I'd like to be able to put a newer S-A multispeed hub on my DX without giving up the astetics of the skiptooth chain.

[Craiggo]

Welcome to the "I-only-need-the-chain- Club"..

+1 on that

[Wingman]

Hey I have had these things fail. I have killed regular chains too.

Skip tooth or 1'' pitch as I believe it is called, Is the Ultimate Must have IF you wanna carry a Cool Club Card lol.

NO, a chain Breaker will not just fit on & work as I remember , I took one & modifyed it Buy grinding on it I believe.
If you break your chain & it was Plenty long to start with , Just Remove a Link & see if you still have room for adjustment.

The one thing iI do to make em last is Never to tight on the adjustment. If anything on the loose side if your just cruisen with it .
I have picked up Extra Chain Linke here at Ratrod for $1.00 each from time to time.

The old ones do & May break from time to time. I have been able to limp back beeing very ginger with it every time this has happend & it has never caused me a face plant or wreck. ... so far lol .
I have a old length of chain I also keep on hand to rob links out of when I need tyo make repairs or legnthen one.
Lots of ways to deal with the chain problem ok.
If yor riding a bike with one of these chains, Just Pay atten. to what your Bike is saying . You will notice it in the ride as it is happing usualy .
They crack before they totaly fail. I have noticed it every time prior to failure.

As always No matter what Kinda Chain your riding , ALWAYS be / Ride Carefully & Responsiably .

[Wingman]

OH Yea almost forgot, With a Drill Press & a Side winder Grinder You can make your sprocket work in about 30 seconds after yu figure uot how to fixture the sprocket on to a bolt with some washers (sandwich it between the washers & get it eyeball centerd & then go a little at a time with the grinder , Holding at the rite angle while the drillpress spins it in the oppisite direction.
Bacicly, an Okifed Way to adjust the sprocket that is simple *& Effective.
Go a little at a time & check it for fit as ya go. Be carefull , you could remove To much & RUIN the sprocket if you are not carefull
Also , Flip the sprocket & take a little off both sides. You can Mark the sprocket with a Sharpie to show wear patterns from chain .

[gcrank1]

Man, that's not Oki, thats 'machine shop 101' !, also known as 'gettin' it done'...... .