Chain & Sprocket replacement

Wonder if the kit for a GS 500 would fit. Guess that would have lower gearing.

Or a Vstrom 650?

Originally Posted by rictus01

Why cat a mechanic then

Yep & probably reason for me joining this forum though, it taught me all I know, which is precisely nowt

Must admit, the more of this thread I read, the more I think I may take it ot a dealer

1. Not sure if my chain is sealed or endless, if endless, sort of scuppers my DIY idea

2. At what stage will I know I'll have to remove the swingarm? Looking at it from a laymans point of view, are we saying a sealed chain will not fit on the sprocket without me doing this...if so...aw feck!

A quick look at your new chain will soon show you if it's endless or not. If it's not OEM then I would say it will need riveting. So you will need to invest in a special tool. You could do as Northwind does, change the sprockets and get a spring link and then go directly to a garage to get them to rivet it.

Ah..I think I'm following, an OEM is made for bike so sealed & no need to rivet, but non-OEM is probably 'endless' so will need to be measured for correct length, then spring linked, then rivetted to seal.

So in both cases no need to remove arm...that is my fear, if I know I have to do this, then it's straight to the dealer

[Biker Biggles]

Eh No.
An endless chain is just that----a complete circle.Most chains are supplied as a length,not joined up,and with a separate link which is used to join the ends together.These can be fitted without removing the swingarm,but need to be rivetted up by someone with the correct tools and who knows what they are doing.
I suggest you take it to a bikeshop and get them to fit a new chain and sprocket set.

Cheers - I did actually see what you meant just got a bit dyslexic with the teminology Just wanted to know if or if not I had to remove swingarm & you have clarified that now - Thanks

[northwind]

On the subject of OE, the OE for SVs is DID isn't it? I think B&C Express sell DID steel sprockets, so if you really want the endless chain you could get that from Suzuki, and possibly the different sprocket elsewhere. Or, you can swap between S and N models for 1 tooth change on the rear.

Must admit, the more of this thread I read, the more I think I may take it ot a dealer

Years ago everyone used to do their own maintenance and repairs and servicing! Why? Cos no-one had enough money to pay a mechanic to do it!

Nowadays people have more cash to throw away so the industry have been quick to take advantage.
Take note before you decide on throwing your cash at a mechanic!

Years ago oil was simple and needed changing often.
Machining was crap so running in for ever was required.
Tyres were dire and wouldn't grip wet or dry.
They were always puncturing cos the rubber was useless and steel radials hadn't been invented.
Wheels were steel so changing tyres was easy so was mending punctures cos most bikes would only do about 90 flat out and 0-60 in about 28 seconds!.
Servicing was easy cos you could see all the bits and you were able to get at them, they were designed to be user friendly.
You could change your brake shoes at the side of the road and be on your way in half an hour.
Just flip open the holder to your air filter, wash in warm & soapy then oil it up a bit and that was that for another 1000 miles.

:Welcome in the 21st century:

(contradiction 1)
Oils are quite complex these days and protect like never before. Yet they still expect you to change it every month after telling you how good it is!

(contradiction 2)
Running in today is simpler due to much better machining, closer tollerances and bench redlining!!! Yet they still tell you to go really careful for the first 500 miles just like they did in 1979! Why?

(contradiction 3)
Tyres today are nothing short of a miracle, you can get yer elbow on the road while cornering without trying and thats in the wet!! The modern construction makes them near indestructable as anyone witnessing a burnout will testify. Modern plugs and sealants make excellent repairs as the lack of fear from litigation proves. Yet you are told that any tyre repairs not done by a specialist may blow out and send you to the RAC man in the sky! But they just told me how tough and amazing their tyres were and well worth £130 each?? I'm confused!

(contradiction 4)
The biggest obstacle to self-servicing a modern bike is the difficulty of accessing the bits. Its the same with modern cars. They are designed to be difficult so you are "forced" to use a trained mechanic. They offer you a 2 year warranty as a sweetner then tell you that any self servicing and the warranty is void. Yet all the servicing for the first 2 years is basic stuff right down to changing your coolant. Basic servicing is doable by anyone, even quiet extensive stuff like brake pad replacement and clutch plate replacement just requires a little knowledge and the odd special tool, which once purchased will probably outlast you!
The point I'm making is that they are willing to offer you a good warranty on a couple of new plugs and some oil which tells you something.....what? Oh yes...that their product is one reliable piece of kit which only needs a drop of 21st century oil to prevent it from blowing up in your face and making you look like Father Biggley!

(special contradiction 5)
Changing your brake pads at the side of the road? Hmmm! The industry would call that a 'specialist' job best performed by a "brake specialist". Say....£90? Brake specialist my R's! If you look out for wear & tear then this should never happen but you could probably replace them more easily than the old fashioned shoes, you certainly don't have to take yer wheel out!. Side of the road? Perfectly doable!

(contradiction 6)
Lastly the air filter. Actually one of the most important bits and should never be underestimated. The "power" of a new air filter is legendary, also cleaning your existing one is a good idea if its a spongey one! If easily got at then an airline on a paper one is also good! Perfect excuse to hold up everyone at the local Sainsbury's airline while you take your bike to bits to blow out the air filter hehehehheee!
Just don't let them tell you its a specialist job!

The satisfaction you get when you "know" you oil and sparks etc are new and fresh and tight is an adrenalin rush on its own. Be your own mechanic its a great feeling! Know things have been done and done properly and save a fortune too! Its only knowledge and its available to everyone! Don't let them frighten you into thinking you're useless cos yer not! I know a managing director who was frightened to do his own maintenance till he saw how easy it was! His own words...."but you should let a mechanic do that?"......

Why is taking out your swing arm frightening? I took one out of a Superdream and an RD400 to grease 'em up for the winter, I can't remember it being difficult? A bit time consuming and messy but not difficult!


Ahhh ang about....that'll be a specialist job that!