Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

OH - AND QUITE LITERALLY - MY GOD!!!!
I am currently considering attempting to change my chain and sprockets myself on my 2000 curvy 650s, and have read the appropriate sections of my Haynes manual, then I thought I would look in the forum for further advice and tips, and almost sort of wish I hadn't. Now I'm totally confused !!!!

OEM endless chains - aftermarket ended chains - 108 links - 110 links - X-ring - O-ring - heavy duty - split links - spring links - D.I.D. - Tsukabi - smaller front sprockets - larger rear sprockets - alloy - steel - lock washers - removal of swingarm - shraider valves - hammers - grinders - rivetting tools - g-clamps................... seriously, oh my god !!!:confused:

I really need help here, you guys obviously have a lot of experience in doing this kind of thing, and probably think I'm a total muppet, but really, after reading the threads, my head really hurts. :smt100

As far as I'm aware the standard set up for an "s" is a 15 tooth front sprocket, a 44 tooth rear sprocket and 525 pitch chain with 108 links. Is this correct?

More questions.
1. If I exchange for OEM, how do I fit an endless chain?
2. If I decide on a larger rear sprocket (say 2 extra teeth) do I need to compensate with a longer chain?
3. Is there a particular advantage of X or O ring?
4. Is Tsukabi the dogs danglies (as suggested in a few posts) or will any recognised chain manufacturer be similarly adequate?
5. How do alloy sprockets compare to steel sprockets?
6. Which ancillary parts do I need to get when exchanging? (lock washers, rivets etc...)
7. Does this stuff come with the kits or do you buy 'em separately?
8. Which supplier would you recommend?

Any information that anyone could add would be gratefully received. Please help me to clear the haze, and regain the enthusiam for getting down to it in confidence, rather than a chore with trepidation. [-o<

Cheers guys.

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

As far as I'm aware the standard set up for an "s" is a 15 tooth front sprocket, a 44 tooth rear sprocket and 525 pitch chain with 108 links. Is this correct? Correct.

1. If I exchange for OEM, how do I fit an endless chain? Angle grinder and chain riveter, or get a shop to do it!

2. If I decide on a larger rear sprocket (say 2 extra teeth) do I need to compensate with a longer chain? Yep!

3. Is there a particular advantage of X or O ring? Both good X-ring supposedly better.

4. Is Tsukabi the dogs danglies (as suggested in a few posts) or will any recognised chain manufacturer be similarly adequate? Afam, DID are as good.

5. How do alloy sprockets compare to steel sprockets? Sorry dunno about that!! Other than the alloy ones are alloy.......:lol:

6. Which ancillary parts do I need to get when exchanging? (lock washers, rivets etc...) All should be with the chain kit.

7. Does this stuff come with the kits or do you buy 'em separately? See above.

8. Which supplier would you recommend? Whoever can supply what you want at the best price.

HTH!! :thumbsup:

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

Quote:

How do alloy sprockets compare to steel sprockets? Sorry dunno about that!! Other than the alloy ones are alloy.......:lol:

Advantages are that the alloy sprockets are lighter at the expense of faster wear rates. The main reason people switch to 520 chain sets are also to do with weight.

For a road bike I dont personally see any reason why you would need to go for 520.

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

Alloy rear sprockets are lighter = less unsprung weight = better on a race/competition bike. Allow rear sprockets wear out much faster = bad on a road bike!

Technically if you buy an endless chain you will have to either break it, or remove the swingarm to fit it. Most come already broken with either a split link (like the ones you use on your pushbike) or a soft link to join it back together. I don't like split links on a road bike, and I avoid them on my race bike as well. Soft links need either a special rivit tool to fit, or some improvisation and practice with pair of molewrench, a spare nut and a hammer and a drift to fit (to complicated to explain). Best option unless you know what you are doing is to buy the chain somewhere and get someone who knows what they are doing to fit it. What you definately don't want if the chain coming off at any kind of speed!

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

Answers inline...

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

OR, you can pull the swingarm and clean and grease the bearings while you're in there. Won't hurt, and they're bloody expensive if they sieze up.

Lock washer won't be included in a chain kit, I'd replace the nut and washer if I were you, suzuki parts but might save you a lot of hassle and possible expense if the original nut backs off

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

Errrr just to point out guys, endless chains don't have to be cut you know, so no need of angle grinders or chain splitters r indeed riveters, however the swing arm will need to be removed for fitment.

So in the first question an "endless" chain can be fitted without any cutting taking place.

The third question about X & O ring simply refers to the shape of the rubber seal in cross section (the one holding the grease in the links) O ring provide a single contact point top & bottom and obviously X ring provide a double, however both will fail without proper care and maintinance of the chain and O ring are cheaper and last as long.

Question six, if you're buying a kit ask, you may get a top sprocket lock washer, but more than likely won't, Oh and don't forget you'll need the castled socket (or make one,use a drift) to remove the swingarm retainings.

Cheers Mark.

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

So you would advise replacing the locknut and washer?

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

Depends on the condition of the one you take off, but personally no I wouldnt bother. I used the same one for years on a race bike until it had seen better days. i keep a spare washer in my tool box just in case at the track.

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

In an ideal world yeah sure change both, however being practical, unless the nut has been damaged undoing it, that will be fine and you can* get away with reversing the lock washed ONCE and bending the taps the other way, although for the cost I'd probably replace.

* caution if you are unsure how many times it's been used, replace it.

Cheers Mark.

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

Blimey, you guys really do know your stuff !!!!

Thanks very much for all the information and advice, I now feel much more comfortable making an informed decision.

One my mates who is forever taking his SP1 apart (just for the sake of it !!!??:confused:) has offered to lend a hand, and some tools, so armed with the knowledge from you guys, and with his back-up, I'm gonna go for it.........

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

Some really good advice there. Just a cautionary advisement...........if you are planning to go the 'endless chain, swingarm out' route you'll need to find some way to support the bike, and NOT paddock stands!

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

Cheers Lissa.

To be totally honest mate, the idea of removing the swing arm and suspending the bike in the air, is just one step too far for me at this stage. See how I get on with the chain and sprocket, and braided hoses jobs first of all. If all goes well there, I might get a bit more adventurous at the end of the season and delve deeper into the getting my hands dirty sketch.....

One project I do have in mind at some point, mainly thanks to a thread which you either started or had a large input in, is to do the forks. The results you got were excellent.

Nitromors, rubber gloves and some emery cloth all the way my friend???

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

The whole swingarm removal is easy, if you've got the right kit. We've got an Abba stand with the relevant attachments, so not a problem. Learning to do things yourself is often frustrating, but ultimately satisfying:D

Doing the forks is certainly an easy job and you can get great results. Just ask Dizzyblonde, she's become a demon polisher:D

And yes, wear the gloves................says she who never does:D

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

Yeah, when it comes down to it, having the right tooling etc, really does determine how difficult or easy the job will be dunnit.

I tend to beg, borrow or steal (temporarily of course) tools from my mates, and I sometimes borrow them too, cos they just love an excuse to start taking things apart and cleaning and lubing everything. I'm afraid that I might contract this terminal compulsion too, then that will be it - once you start where do you stop...........?

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

Don't. Save's you a fortune in bills from garages and stuff, also bike bits rarely wear out as they're so clean and well lubed.

(mines a ratter, but all the mechanical parts are sweet)

It's when you become tempted by performance and trick bits that the trouble starts ... race systems, gixxer front ends, rearsets.... (done the first one, got the second one ready and am considering the 3rd...)

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

You don't:smt109

To me, polishing the bike isn't a chore, it's fun. Beats housework any day of the week:D

And taking care of the bike yourself saves money too, when you remember how much even a simple service can cost labour-wise.;)

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

I suppose it's probably cheaper than therapy in the long run too eh???

Mind you it could also be classed as a form of OCD I suppose.;)

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

My shrink says I'm perfectly sane:D

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

And I'm an interesting case apparently :-P

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

The lunatics are taking over the asylum. Book me a padded cell.:smt023

I gotta go now, it's been emotional, hopefully catch you again soon.

Tekiteezi y'all. :smt039

Re: Totally baffled - Chain & Sprockets
 

I may be learning the art of polishing, but I can't flippin master the art of scratch painting....ggggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrr.
I can say that I have learned a lot in the art of dismantling bikes and how to 'bodge' in the correct manner, jsut because I've observed doesn't mean I could feel confident in doing it myself, but its certainly a lesson learned, just how everything fits together and works etc