New Chain and sprockets

[egcSV650s]

I had a look in the search but couldnt find much, I need a new chain but wondering which brand is good to get, i was thinking of getting a coloured one probably gold, i had an AFAM chain before on my other bike and seemed ok but not sure if theres any other ones which are better. I was thinking about doing it myself and seen some chain breakers and riviters on ebay but they seem a bit cheap or will they be ok to use. Also seen on someones post about going 3 teeth up on rear sprocket for better acceleration which im thinking of doing, anyone else done this? Ive already got the bike remaped so will this affect this if i go more teeth at the rear? Thanks

[Adam Ef]

DID chains seem to be widely trusted. Don't go cheap. It's not worth it.


Cheap chain riveters can be ok for light occaisional use, but you'll need to grind the head off one of the pins to remove your current chain. Trying to do that without grinding it will break a cheap tool straight away.


As far as I remember going up in teeth on the rear gives a bit more torque and low end acceleration but sacrifices top speed. I have a rear sprocket one tooth over standard and it works fine for me. I've never known it any other way though so can't compare to standard.

[Scittyf]

I've only ever changed front sprockets. Usually to lose a tooth at the front. This would make the bike accelerate quicker at the expense of top speed.

It would also use up a bit more fuel if commuting.

Like wise going up a tooth at the front would mean higher top speed and lower acceleration. Usually higher mpg on commutes.

Changing teeth at the rear sprocket does the opposite of the above.

Can't comment on chain type. Depends on your use and what you want out of it.

I ran some figures once that changing a cheap chain a sprocket more often if you change it yourself was far cheaper overall price per mile than an expensive one that lasted longer. But that was commuting all weather's.

Things might have changed since 10 years ago.

[shiftin_gear98]

Having had a cheaper, yet still around £60.00, chain decide to part company with me and the bike at motorway speeds. I wouldn't **** about with something that could kill you. For the rest of my biking life there will only be a DID chain on my bike. Simples.

[Scittyf]

I'd imagine there would be a manufacturering defect with that chain. Chains aren't exactly specialised bits of kit. They are usually fairly robust unless you don't maintain them.

[Seeker]

Chains are pretty specialised:

https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/201...in-tips-facts/

If you have the choice, increase the number of teeth on the rear sprocket rather than reduce the number of teeth on the front. The larger the circumference the chain has to travel the less wear and stress it will endure.

This website:
https://www.gearingcommander.com/

allows you to see what changing your gearing will do.


For example on a 2000 SV650 at 50mph in 6th it is doing 3652rpm increasing the rear sprocket by 3 teeth will change that to 3896rpm.

[Scittyf]

They aren't that specialised. Looking at the products on offer there is still the usual o ring or x ring affair on offer. Ranging from about 40 pound up to 120. Plus a couple of sprockets and you're ready to roll.

I've changed a few when I used to commute a lot but never had the cheap ones snap.

That link is great reading. But the products offer pretty much the same thing just different ways of taking care of them. Again though a chain that's 120 needs to last 3 times as long as a cheaper one and in order to maintain it which most people won't needs specialised products.

I never really got people that obsess over the chain and cleaning and lubing it like some perverted obsession.

I'd rather make sure it's oiled. Alighted and tightened correctly and go out and ride and replaced when needed. Rather than waste my life doing that.

This is just my humble opinion. It's really up to you.

[glang]

Originally Posted by shiftin_gear98

Having had a cheaper, yet still around £60.00, chain decide to part company with me and the bike at motorway speeds. I wouldn't **** about with something that could kill you. For the rest of my biking life there will only be a DID chain on my bike. Simples.

if a chain goes theres a very high chance its going to be the link failing either cos a temporary clip type has been used or the riveted one hasnt been installed well....

[R1ffR4ff]

I changed my Chain and sprockets on my 99 not long after I got it.I bought a,"DID" kit with the JT sprockets.I think it was from,"Busters" or M&P both who I have used over the years for parts with no problems.

I used one of those cheap chain tools and it was rubbish.I managed the job and took it to my MOT Bike-Mech to check and he was happy with my work and the,"Soft-link" supplied with the kit.

However next time I'm going to use a,"Spring Link" just to get the kit on and then carefully ride to my Mech and get him to use his Quality tools to replace the Spring link with the proper link.He doesn't charge a lot so no point me paying out for a High Quality link tool.

As for changing the Ratio.As my SV is not a Race bike and for standard road use I'm happy with the Stock ratio


Front Sprocket Teeth: 15 | Rear Sprocket Teeth: 44 |

as the bike may well still be capable of the under 4 seconds from Zero to 60 Mph that's fast enough for me.I've even toyed with fitting the,"S" version ratio Kit next time to drop the revs a bit but probably won't.

Note:The new rear Sprocket could be fitted incorrectly as it is not symetrical. The Maker's Idents are to face outwards away from the bike in my case otherwise the chain alignment will be out.Again I got this confirmed by my Mech.

[egcSV650s]

Ill have a look at the DID chains, I might leave the tooth up on rear sprocket just wanted a bit more acceleration but im happy with the stock so ill just leave it as it is, its just easier lol. Ill probably just get my chain done by my local motorbike shop as the chain is quite important and if i dont buy a proper chain kit ill just get it done. Thanks for all your advice. Ill have a look at that website about the gearing changes