Sprocket Guard
Product Information: Armadillo Sprocket Guard
The Armadillo Sprocket Guard is a protective accessory designed
to safeguard your sprocket and swingarm from impacts and debris.
Made from a durable material, this guard provides added protection
and extends the lifespan of your motorcycle’s components.
Product Features:
- Durable construction for enhanced protection
- Easy installation process
- Compatible with most motorcycles
- Contouring options for improved fit
- Includes necessary screws for mounting
Product Usage Instructions: Installing the Armadillo Sprocket
Guard
- Before starting the installation process, ensure you have read
the entire user manual, including the additional advice section on
pages 4-5. - Begin by removing the stock sprocket guard from your
motorcycle. - Apply a piece of masking tape onto your swingarm to mark the
position for installing the new guard. - Obtain a pointed screw that matches the threads of your current
screw. You can find suitable screws on Amazon or at a local
hardware store. Remove the rear wheel and thread the pointed screw
through one of the lobes to which the sprocket guard mounts. Ensure
that the screw tip protrudes slightly. - Place the Armadillo Sprocket Guard on the marked position,
ensuring good contact between the bottom of the lobes on the
swingarm and the ledge on the guard. - Hold everything in place and gently tap the outside of the
guard with a hammer. This will mark the location for the set
screw. - Drill the first hole using the smallest drill bit possible. If
you have metric drill bits, it is recommended to use them.
Otherwise, use the following sizes as a guideline:
– For a 5mm screw, try a 13/64 bit
– For a 6mm screw, try a 15/64 bit - Securely fasten the Armadillo Sprocket Guard to the swingarm
using a cap screw. - Additional Advice:
– Ensure that the marks and holes are not too close to the edge of
the guard to prevent cracking or tearing out.
– The edge distance is influenced by the quality of contact with
the lobes. If you are unable to achieve good edge distance, contact
the manufacturer for further guidance.
– The edge distance is also influenced by where you place the guard
and mark your tape on the front side. - Note: If necessary, contour the top and/or inside of the guard
to ensure proper contact on the front face. You can use a file,
Dremel, or utility knife for this purpose. Warming the material
will make carving easier if using a knife. - If you already have a swingarm guard in place, consider
trimming off any portion that interferes with mounting the
Armadillo Sprocket Guard. Use a ziptie to secure the back end of
the guard to the swingarm.
Installing your new Armadillo Sprocket Guard
Be Smart – read these instructions completely before starting work, especially the “Additional Advice” section on pages 4-5.
First, remove your stock sprocket guard and apply a piece of masking tape onto your swingarm
Next, hold the new sprocket guard in place and mark on the tape where you want it. NOTE this is pretty much why I don’t pre-drill these guards. 1) There’s some rider preference as to placement and 2) different geometry of different bikes’ swingarms and/or different size rear sprockets.
Get a pointed (set) screw that matches the threads of your current screw; go to Amazon or a good local hardware store. Remove the rear wheel and thread the pointed screw through one of the lobes to which the sprocket guard mounts from the back side such that the tip protrudes slightly.
Place the sprocket guard on your mark and MAKE SURE that you have good contact between the bottom of the lobes on the swingarm and the ledge on the guard.
Hold everything in place and smack the outside of the guard with a hammer to mark the set screw’s location
You now know where to drill your first hole; use the smallest drill bit possible. If you have metric drill bits, that’s great. If, like most of us, you don’t, try the following:
For a 5mm screw, try a 13/64″ bit For a 6mm screw, try a 15/64″ bit Fasten your new guard to the swingarm with a cap screw.
With the first screw in place, repeat the above steps (positioning the set screw and hammer-smacking) with the other lobe to mark the second hole. You do it this way because the first screw can hold the guard in place much better than you can hold it by hand to mark the second hole. Remove your sprocket guard, drill the second hole, and fasten the new guard to the swingarm with both screws. If you were able to execute the above steps well, your sprocket guard should be securely fastened to the swingarm with good contact on the underside of the lobes.
NOTE You’ll almost certainly need a longer screw than stock to fasten your new sprocket guard properly; this too can be gotten on Amazon or at a hardware store. I prefer allens, but a hex head or even a phillips will work; it’s a good idea to use a flat washer too. Ideally, your screws will come out just flush with the inner side of the swingarm lobes. In my experience, 16-18mm length has worked best.
Additional Advice: Don’t make your marks and holes too close to the edge of the part. This material is pretty resistant to cracking, but if your edge distance is too short, your holes may egg out or eventually tear out.
This distance is influenced by how good your contact is with
the lobes. If you cannot get get good edge
distance here, contact me
This distance is influenced by where you place the guard and mark your tape on the front side
NOTE: You may need/want to do some contouring on the top and/or inside to ensure good contact on the front face as well. You can do this with a file, Dremel, or even a utility knife. If you’re using a knife, warming the material will make carving easier.
Carve out only what’s necessary to get a good, snug fit. Leave as much material in place as possible this is the strength of the part.
If you have a swingarm guard in place, you may consider trimming off the portion that will interfere with the mounting of your sprocket guard. Use a ziptie to secure the back end to the swingarm.
