It's gone...

[Kijona]

Well I got my new chain and sprockets installed. Unfortunately I don't have a swingarm stand so I had to prop the bike up on its sidestand in order to do the work.

I think all in all it took 8hrs, every curse word in the dictionary and some that aren't, a broken flashlight, and a shot of tequila.

Part of why it took so damn long is because there is a 1.25" nut that holds the front sprocket on. I spent almost an hour searching through all my tools and finally found it. I didn't have a 32mm (had a 36mm though d'oh), which is what it requires, but thankfully the 1.25" actually fits better.

All in all, I'm better for it. Now I know how to correctly press a master link. I'd never done it before and I was really scared of A) breaking Adidasguy's tool he so generously loaned me and B) breaking the master link or pressing it too far and binding it.

Good thing is now I won't have to worry about it for a LONG time. I'm religious about chain care...almost obsessive, so, needless to say my chains stay clean and lubed.

Bikemaster 525 o-ring chain and two JT sprockets from eBay...only cost me $110 with shipping. Not bad at all.

[Kijona]

Oh, and yeah, I was mistaken...they didn't remove any links. I was looking at the adjustment lines incorrectly. However, the chain was stretched beyond belief.

It was also so worn that I could literally almost touch both ends together laterally once I had it off. Upon closer inspection, I discovered most of the rollers had gone dry because the o-rings had disintegrated and/or flattened out and cracked.

[Twisted]

They really use 525s on a 650 twin? Seems a little bit of an overkill.  I would have thought a 520 would be more than enough and cheaper

[Kijona]

They really use 525s on a 650 twin? Seems a little bit of an overkill.  I would have thought a 520 would be more than enough and cheaper

Yeah but they also put down some pretty significant torque. 520 PROBABLY would do the trick but...who knows?

Also...why does it need a 1 and a quarter (32mm) nut to hold the freaking counter sprocket on...WITH a locking washer? It's got teeth for a reason...the little clip system works just fine on our GS's. 

Oh well! At least if 525 is overkill, that means the chain should last longer.

[mister]

In Aust they also use a 525 for 1000 vstroms. Guy at work is going to a 530 with a one tooth drop to 16 on the front and two up to 43 on the rear do it is better around town.

Michael

[Kijona]

In Aust they also use a 525 for 1000 vstroms. Guy at work is going to a 530 with a one tooth drop to 16 on the front and two up to 43 on the rear do it is better around town.

Michael

My DL1000 'Strom had a 525 EK chain on it that lasted almost 25000 miles. Go figure.