Motorcycle chain question

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Leaping Deer

Leaping Deer

Joined
Dec 15, 2005
Threads
218
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4,564
Location
Whitinsville, MA
Well I am dropping a tooth on my front sprocket so I thought that it would be a good time to throw on a new chain so I order one up from Bikebandits.

Reading the install instructions I have to put in a master link and it looks like there is a special tool involved. What are my options. Is this tool expensive and should I just buy it or can I just take the chain down to a bike shop and have them put it together for me and then I can pull off the rear tire to install the chain.

I would have just had a bike shop do this but its tough to get them to do anything timely this time of year and I don't want to spend a ton for something that I can do myself.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks! :cheers:
 
How would you get the chain around the front sprocket if you have a shop link it together? I have a chain tool if you want to borrow it. Bought it a couple years back and only used it twice but it works. I think I paid somewhere around 75 for it off ebay.
 
I was thinking that I could put it on when I put on the front sprocket. If you wouldn't mind letting me borrow your chain tool that would be great. Thanks.
 
I did one on my bike a few years back, but I borrowed the tool from a friend.
I would think with the shop rates out there, buying the tool would be cheaper.
Just curious what kind of bike do you have?
 
Stinkyfinger said:
I did one on my bike a few years back, but I borrowed the tool from a friend.
I would think with the shop rates out there, buying the tool would be cheaper.
Just curious what kind of bike do you have?
Click to expand...

True but if I could borrow the tool off of Vfrer even better. The bike is a 2000 Triump Sprint RS.
 
More than welcome to borrow it. Send me a PM.

Maybe this will give me enough of a kick to pull my bike out this weekend... should be a nice one.

Eric
 
I have always ground the head off and replaced the master link, just going one long so that you can take it apart (if that makes sense). These were non o ring chains, however.

I have used bicycle chain tools as well, but am 1 and 1 in the "worked vs broken tool" dept.

Pick up the tool, you will use it again. If you bring it to a shop, the cost will be more than a tool. Plus, if you are a link or two off, you can do it again.

Nice bike. Dropping that front tooth will cause the front tire to stand up! I went from a 15 to a 13 in my old thumper and holy hell did that make a difference off idle. You should replace the rear sprocket at the same time, btw, as they are supposed to wear together with the chain.

Rode this old girl to work today. 1979 XL500 Kick only Dual.

40 min one way at 30 degrees. Lil chilly.
xl500S.jpg
 
Nice... duals rule! I ride a KLR650 currently but not as cool as your XL, and at 30 degrees it definitely stays in the garage!

They do recommend changing sprockets and chains together but if gear wear is minimal just chain is fine.
 
The KLR is a damn cool bike, and much nicer if you ever want to go out for anything more than, say, 30 miles.

I thought I was going to lose a filling at times at about 50MPH.
 
The KLR is just a great all around bike for sure. Am very happy with it but I need to ride it more...
 
rabid said:
Rode this old girl to work today. 1979 XL500 Kick only Dual.

40 min one way at 30 degrees. Lil chilly.
Click to expand...

Did you take the powerwheels the next day? :flipoff2:
 
I should have taken a picture at my friends house just a few hours ago. Screwing around, came into the driveway too fast on one wheel, and promptly drove THROUGH the wall of the garage. Took out the door jam (which was badly rotted) and some siding, as well as going through the fiberboard backing (it was built in the 50's). Awesome.

That is what I get for being an idiot.

I am fine, bike is fine.
 
rabid said:
You should replace the rear sprocket at the same time, btw, as they are supposed to wear together with the chain.
Click to expand...


This is good advice I actually rode with a kid last year that replaced his rear sprocket and just adding the one sprocket snapped his chain while he was up on one wheel about a week later.

hope it goes well man.

-Nate
 
A worn chain is a worn chain... I'd question the chain tension and age, not the fact that he replaced a sprocket. I hear so many bikes ride by and the chain is just screaming for lubricant... those are typically the same geniuses that are riding wheelies down the highway with a t-shirt. On my old honda it had a wear line on the swingarm for inspecting the sprocket which I inspected every time I lubed the chain. Sprocket was still in great shape after 30,000 miles and I had no reason to replace it when I did the chain.

Jason... right after we left I was going through the light down the road and there was a bike on its side and a car that had rammed into it. Looked pretty bad. Everyone please keep an eye out for bikes... "Motorcycles are everywhere" - especially this time of year.

Eric
 
Thanks for the advice fellas.

Eric, thanks for the loan of the tool. To bad about the accident. Its scary that people just don't pay attention.

I had a guy pass me and the wife on the right to take the same exit we were taking. I was so pissed to the point if the wife wasn't on the back I would have done more than yell when I caught up to him at the light.

Dan, to bad you didn't get pics. Glad that you and the bike were not hurt.
 
pics....i should have gotten video. What a fool I am.
 
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