Lower chain roller necessary?

[mtnmanseth]

While cleaning my 2005 GG EC300 last night after two most excellent days of single track/MX track riding near San Diego, I happened to notice the lower chain roller was... gone. The tab off the frame that connects to the side stand is intact, the threads into the side stand assembly look okay. It must have rattled out. This may be a dumb question, but is the lower chain roller critical? If so, is my best option to order the OEM bolt and plastic roller from GoFasters? Or is there a better solution? Regardless, I know lots of blue loctite will be necessary!

I want to ride this coming weekend, so please let me know if the bike should not be ridden until the lower chain roller is replaced. Thanks all!

 

[cbutler]

I would get a replacement just get a roller and a bolt. I think I used a bark buster bolt on mine.

I have ridden mine for a while with no roller but I would get one.

 

[JP4]

I don't know how critical it is, but I assume it's there for a reason. Having said that, I've seen lots of guys ride without one.

It's a pretty common roller, All Balls part no. 79-5008 - http://www.allballsracing.com/79-5008.html

Not a fan of All Balls bearings, but I'm not too fussy over a chain roller. If you prefer, buy OEM from all of the cross-over bikes they list on their page.

For a bolt, pretty sure it's a 12 mm head, M8 thread and about 35mm long. Go to your local industrial supply house and get one that's only threaded on the last 12-15mm of the bolt, if they have it. Otherwise, a completed threaded bolt will do.

 

[AZRickD]

I used a common bolt and a PVC pipe on my 2005 for three years.

 

[Elvis74]

I am using the KTM slide instead of the roller and it works pretty well. I haven't changed it since about 100 hours of riding.