Replacing Chain

[Dead Eye]

Hi all, trying to replace the chain and I've hit a snag whereby the chain tool I bought is a load of crap... I can't get the pins to line up properly on the rivets to break the chain as they just slip when you apply any sort of pressure

Does anyone around the Chelmsford / Essex area happen to have a grinder / cutter / bolt breakers (or something) that I could borrow in exchange for beer tokens - need to get this work done ASAP to get the bike back in for an MOT retest without incurring further charges

[red98]

hi deadeye...ive got the tools you need but too bust to come over  :o .......take the swingarm out ,bit more work i know but would get the job done 

[Dead Eye]

Looks like the bike is going to get a good service then... hoping to get started on this today and will probably give the swing arm a damn good clean whilst I'm at it

Any pitfalls or traps I should avoid?

[darrsi]

I was chatting to a mate about this yesterday, he suggested changing the bearings while it's all apart, but obviously that's your choice mate.

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,72.ms...tml#msg236

[JZS 600]

Last time I took a chain off without tools I filed the 2 pins on a link flat on one side and knocked the plate off with a hammer and screwdriver when it was on the back sprocket.

Worked for me!

[Dead Eye]

I was chatting to a mate about this yesterday, he suggested changing the bearings while it's all apart, but obviously that's your choice mate.

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,72.ms...tml#msg236

This was something I had thought of in the back of my mind but it depends entirely on the cost of the bearings and the ease of the job

The priority is getting the MOT faults fixed which are the chain (and therefore sprockets) plus the front discs. The discs shouldn't be too much of a pain as they were recently removed - the old discs from my burnt bike were put on and have last a good 5 months so it was worth it

[tony22]

I'm in Chelmsford.. and i have the tools you need if you still need help??

[Dead Eye]

Do you per chance have a chain riveter? I'm not entirely convinced mine is going to do a particularly good job

On the plus side, the swingarm is almost off...

[tony22]

Do you per chance have a chain riveter? I'm not entirely convinced mine is going to do a particularly good job

On the plus side, the swingarm is almost off...

Yes I do and a grinder, more than happy to lend you a hand or the tools.

[Dead Eye]

That's awesome, ideally all I need to do is to get the chain riveted together and then I can put it on as an endless chain since the swingarm is basically nearly off (just need to remove the pivot)

I could bring the chain to you if that's easier and more convenient?

[tony22]

I will be home from work about 5:45 so i can pickup the riveter and drop it round, also noticed you have a carbtune  ... not touched my carbs for 60k, do you mind I borrow it?? Clutch basket is rattling on idle due to the carbs being out of sync

[Dead Eye]

Sounds good to me, you are welcome to borrow the Carbtune as well I'll PM you my address

That certainly worked out well ^^

[Foxwood]

I dropped my swingarm last winter at 34 000km and the bearings were (not surprisingly) basically as good as new. So I doubt you'll need to change them, just give 'em a nice clean and lube. Though I will admit that if you've been riding in salty winter conditions, then it might be a hole other story.  :\

[Dead Eye]

I haven't done much riding in bad weather but the bike has done 88,000 miles and I have no previous history :|

They weren't picked up on the MOT and I can't feel anything wrong so after looking at the process I think I'm going to leave them be for now

[Kentish]

Sounds good to me, you are welcome to borrow the Carbtune as well I'll PM you my address

That certainly worked out well ^^

What a nice man!

[red98]

great to see people helping one another  ...hows this job going guys ?

[Dead Eye]

I've heard from tony22 and his bike is running much smoother now which is great news

Mine is still awaiting some attention as I've ended up busy over the weekend but aiming to get it all sorted on Monday-Tuesday for an MOT retest later this week

[Dead Eye]

So had some fun with not being able to get the chain off nor the swingarm and ended up asking for the assistance of tony22 whom ground off the rivet heads and then finally managed to remove the old chain

So, new chain fitted, sprockets changed and rear wheel back on BUT I can't seem to get it to align correctly. The wheel is effectively pointing to the right hand side of the bike if looking at the wheel from the rear of the bike. There are about 5 adjustment marks before the washer on the left hand side and more like 8-10 on the right but I can't get the right side to move forward and line up equally. I tried some persuasion with a hammer, but it doesn't want to budge I have made sure there is ample room for it move in regards to the adjusters.

I'll try and get some photos up to illustrate

[tony22]

So had some fun with not being able to get the chain off nor the swingarm and ended up asking for the assistance of tony22 whom ground off the rivet heads and then finally managed to remove the old chain

So, new chain fitted, sprockets changed and rear wheel back on BUT I can't seem to get it to align correctly. The wheel is effectively pointing to the right hand side of the bike if looking at the wheel from the rear of the bike. There are about 5 adjustment marks before the washer on the left hand side and more like 8-10 on the right but I can't get the right side to move forward and line up equally. I tried some persuasion with a hammer, but it doesn't want to budge I have made sure there is ample room for it move in regards to the adjusters.

I'll try and get some photos up to illustrate

Let me know how you get on with it tomorrow, if you don't have any luck I can call in on my way home tomorrow and take a look. One thing to check is that you have the adjusters in the right way round.

[Dead Eye]

Ah, it is entirely possible that the adjusters are in the wrong way round  :o

Can anyone verify which way they are supposed to be?