my chain has gotten really loose and it's already adjusted about as far back as it will go, i think i have about 1 notch left to make it tighter but i doubt that will tighten it enough. so the next thing is to replace the chain right? if thats the case then this part number (490669-001) off bike bandit should be the right one right? and a sprocket upgrade has been on my list of things to do for my gs so if i'm replacing the chain then i'm guessing that would be the best time while i have all that apart and the chain off. bikebandit also has 15t sprockets for $10.79. anything i should know or try before i get this stuff?
you dont have to replace the chain, you could take some links out. find the master link, take that off and then with the two ends not connect find out how many links youll need to remove. stock GS chain has 110 links.
Also, if your going to a bigger sprocket then you may not need to remove any links at all, as normally a bigger sprocket will require adding links. Likewise a smaller sprocket often requires taking away links.
Quote from: Canonball on October 19, 2009, 01:29:28 AM
my chain has gotten really loose and it's already adjusted about as far back as it will go, i think i have about 1 notch left to make it tighter but i doubt that will tighten it enough. so the next thing is to replace the chain right?
Yes
Quote
if thats the case then this part number (490669-001) off bike bandit should be the right one right?
Yes
Quoteand a sprocket upgrade has been on my list of things to do for my gs so if i'm replacing the chain then i'm guessing that would be the best time while i have all that apart and the chain off.
Yes
Quotebikebandit also has 15t sprockets for $10.79. anything i should know or try before i get this stuff?
Yeah, one more thing you should know: You can get chain much cheaper elsewhere. GSJack has posted an excellent chain for something like $65.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=43625.msg489116#msg489116
Oh, one more thing. Don't let anyone talk you into just taking links out. NO ONE!
You can take links out if you know that a too-long chain was installed in the first place, but if it's stretched that far from being right to start with, it's time to replace it. And if it kinks, replace it. Replace it with the adjusters at the minimum, of course.
I used the clip-style chains for a while, but recently picked this up, and replaced the chain on my Drizzlet with it last night. Worth the money, utterly.
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0058/
A new chain tends to stretch, so check the tension more frequently when it's new.
Quote from: Paulcet on October 19, 2009, 09:58:52 AM
Quote from: Canonball on October 19, 2009, 01:29:28 AM
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=43625.msg489116#msg489116
Oh, one more thing. Don't let anyone talk you into just taking links out. NO ONE!
I wasnt talking him into just taking links out, that why I said that the GS should have 110 links, unless you have a differant sized sprocket. If his chain is on the last notch and IS 110 then yea, its stretched too much and he needs a new one.
Sorry, it wasn't clear to me that gregvhen wasn't suggesting removing links if he had 110 links.
So, let me rephrase: Your chain should have 110 links if you are using stock sprockets. If you have that many, and the adjusters are that far back, you should replace the chain. If you already have a 14T or 15T front sprocket, your chain may have a few more miles in it. Removing a link may be required to get those miles, but it's not worth it, IMO.
Quote from: Paulcet on October 19, 2009, 06:57:38 PM
Sorry, it wasn't clear to me that gregvhen wasn't suggesting removing links if he had 110 links.
So, let me rephrase: Your chain should have 110 links if you are using stock sprockets. If you have that many, and the adjusters are that far back, you should replace the chain. If you already have a 14T or 15T front sprocket, your chain may have a few more miles in it. Removing a link may be required to get those miles, but it's not worth it, IMO.
Amen to not taking links out of a worn chain! Bad practice, dangerous and it will ruin your sprockets. By the time a chain stretches that much it's shot. Most of the "stretch" is caused by worn rollers, not the side pieces actually stretching. A good O-ring chain can be had for only $65. Get one and be happy. You will find it won't need frequent adjustment, only cleaning and oiling.
My mechanic told me a good chain on a low HP bike like this won't stretch much so I shouldn't be a slave to adjusting it all the time. Just lube and ride he said. I took his advice and the chain's fine after 4,000 miles and no adjustment yet.
awesome, thanks for all the help guys. i ordered a new chain and 15t sprocket off of chaparral racing. looking forward to getting these parts and installing them so i can get back to riding in this rare-but-beautiful weather we've been having lately.
Krap I don't wanna hear about our beautiful weather right now! Recovered from one surgery this week and surgery again tomorrow one more week!
Glad your replacing that chain and sprocket. We should go riding sometime!
Mary