Chain & Sprocket help

[Topnikko]

I want to order chain and sprockets today. Can someone please steer me towards the best deal? I want to buy a DID O-Ring chain and JT sprockets (standard sizes). Also, do I need to buy a master link or anything when buying the chain? Do the chains come complete, ready to throw on, or do I need to insall a master link or something? I would appreciate part numbers for whatever items I need. Thanks!

[ohgood]

I want to order chain and sprockets today. Can someone please steer me towards the best deal? I want to buy a DID O-Ring chain and JT sprockets (standard sizes). Also, do I need to buy a master link or anything when buying the chain? Do the chains come complete, ready to throw on, or do I need to insall a master link or something? I would appreciate part numbers for whatever items I need. Thanks!

DennisKirk had the best price on sprockets for me. I got one for $14 shipped. You shouldn't need the rear sprocket, ever, but take a look at it and make sure it's in good shape.

Masterlinks are fine, some people just don't install them right and suffer because of it.

I don't have part numbers, but any second gsJack or Kerry will quote them from memory

chain = 110 link, with or without master, 16t 520 front sprocket is stock.

[GeeP]

Hi there,

Chains normally come with a "clip type" master link.  The manufacturers state that the clip-type link is for "off-road use only."  I personally dislike clip-type links and prefer to rivet my chains. 

At a minimum, you will need a chain breaker to get your old chain off unless it currently has a clip link.  These are about $30  For about $90 you can get a breaker and riveting tool to use a rivet type master link which is approved for road use by all manufacturers.  You will have to order a rivet type master link with your chain if you go that route.

I've ordered from moto-chains.com and was happy with the product and service.  They're in NJ, so if you're in the east you should get it within a couple of days.

This is the tool I use:

http://www.moto-chains.com/site/898528/product/652-7168605

I'm currently running an EK 520srx chain at about $87.

EK also recently came out with a "screw type" master link which provides a "rivet like fit" using only a pair of wrenches.  It appears the manufacturer has targeted it at the street market.

http://www.moto-chains.com/site/898528/product/mstr%20-%20screw

Here's a link to another site with some user info on the link:

http://www.beginnerbikers.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17162&highlight=screw+type+master+link

[Topnikko]

I've already got my old chain off. I used my Dremel to cut it off. I'm about to take the front sprocket off. You say the chains normally come with a clip typ master link. Does this mean the chain is already completely assembled, and I can just throw it over the sprockets? Or should I plan on removing the clip type link and replacing it? How do you know what kind of master link it comes with? If I buy a chain with a clip type link and want to use a rivet link, do I remove the clip type first? Does the chain have to be exactly 110 links? Wow..replacing this chain is proving more difficult than I thought. Thanks for your help, guys!!

[gsJack]

I've bought this same DID O-ring chain from Chaparral about once a year since 1999  and the price is still the same.  Checked around for price then but haven't bothered since.  Comes with a clip type master link in a seperate little package inside the chain box.

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=312%2D1910&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=044FC6F88A5CF4C77994FE9B3E129B70

They also have JT sprockets now, standard front for 94-08 GS is $15.

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Chaparral/product_family.asp?family_id=16780&mscssid=044FC6F88A5CF4C77994FE9B3E129B70&Gift=False&GiftID=

[Topnikko]

So GSJACK, you recommend using a clip type link instead of the rivet? Is it possible to buy the chain already assembled with a rivet? I've seen some people talk about removing the swingarm. Is this something I need to do? I already have the old chain and sprockets remvoed.

[beRto]

This thread from Kerry may help you to understand what a clip link is and how a clip link is installed:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=11925.msg100270#msg100270

[Topnikko]

I've spent far too much time trying to figure out what to buy. Literally hours. Can somone please point me to an endless O-ring chain, that I can just slip over the sprockets and be done with this? I don't want to use a clip link and I also don't want to buy a rivet tool. Which leaves only one option I guess.

[beRto]

I've spent far too much time trying to figure out what to buy. Literally hours. Can somone please point me to an endless O-ring chain, that I can just slip over the sprockets and be done with this? I don't want to use a clip link and I also don't want to buy a rivet tool. Which leaves only one option I guess.

Well... if you buy an endless chain you have to remove the entire swingarm to install it. Are you sure you want to go that route?

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=39508.0

A few hours of research up front could save you a whole lot of time later on 

[Topnikko]

I don't understand why I need to remove the swingarm to install an endless chain.

Actually, disregard that....I just realized that the chain goes around the swingarm.

[gsJack]

So GSJACK, you recommend using a clip type link instead of the rivet? Is it possible to buy the chain already assembled with a rivet? I've seen some people talk about removing the swingarm. Is this something I need to do? I already have the old chain and sprockets remvoed.

I have used clip type master links on my bikes since I started riding 24 years ago and have put over 300k miles on chains.  My two early 80's 400 cc Hondas came with standard non o-ring chains and a clip type master link from the factory and I replaced with same.  My 82 CB750 Honda came with a continuos o-ring chain that I cut off and replaced with an o-ring chain with clip type master link.  All these early clip type links were of the loose fit type which have less than 70% of the strength of regular links.

I have cut the continuos o-ring chains off both of my GS500's and all the replacements have been DID o-ring with clip type master links, the one from Chaparral I linked above.  These clip type master links have a very tight press fit and have more than 80% of the strength of regular links.  I've never removed a swing arm, or bought any special chain tools, or used a rivet type master link.  See DID info on master link types here:

http://www.didchain.com/install.htm

I don't see a lot of the continuos chains available on the aftermarket so if you really want to stay with a continuos chain your best deal might be oem Suzi parts.  The oem chain is only about $74 compared to the link type I buy for $57 and the oem front sprocket is only a couple dollars more than the JT replacement one, prices from Ron Ayers parts fiche.

Your bike, your life, your choice.  I don't do wheelies.