New Chain Install
***This isn't my write up, its my husbands.***
One of the negatives with a chain drive bike is maintenance and at some point the chain will wear out. The poor chain on the SV had reached the end of its adjustability and it was past time to change it. It got noticeably worse while waiting for all the part to be delivered.
I Started with an RK X ring chain from the SV board, added a set of Renthal ultra light sprockets and a rivet tool/chain breaker borrowed from friends. I stayed with the stock gearing because it seems to be a good compromise.
First, here is the sagging worn out chain.
First order of business is to loosen the front sprocket nut. I used a 32mm socket and a 2 foot breaker bar on the nut. I wedged a piece of wood through the wheel and the swingarm to stop the wheel from moving while I loosened it. You can't count on leaving the bike in gear because the motor will turn over.
Now its time to remove the old chain. Used my borrowed chain breaking tool which now has a new press pin on the way since the original snapped — sorry guys. Once the chain is off, the rear wheel and old sprocket come off.
Naked
Here is the old sprocket
New sprocket installed
Now its time to put everything back together. First the rear wheel, then the front sprocket go on. Next, the new chain needs to be cut to size. Make sure to count the links and measure against the old chain, you do not want to cut it too short. This is where a Dremel would have really useful. The Dermel would have helped to cut the old chain off and resize the new chain. The breaker that I was using broke trying to push the pins through the chain. If I had the Dremel, I could have ground off the pins of the chain and pryed the side plate off.
Thread the chain around the sprockets and connect the two ends with the rivet link. Tighten the front sprocket nut and make sure the washer is bent over the flat of the nut to keep it from backing out. Adjust the chain, and tighten the rear wheel back up
New chain and sprocket
This took me most of the afternoon, I think the next one will go smoother. After a quick test ride the bike is noticeably smoother.
Sorry the pictures are a little fuzzy.
