Putting on a new chain and I having to cut it to length.Can I measure the chain with the center stand down?
Or do both wheels  have to be on the ground? With the  center stand being down, and the rear wheel off the ground give me a false measurement? Thank's Ronin 

Is the old chain still on the bike?  If so:

• Put the bike on the centerstand
• Take a rough measurement of the distance between the swingarm and the lower chain run
• "Cut" the old chain while it's still on the bike, hook the new chain to one end, and spin the old chain off while threading the new one on ... as described in [this old post]
• Visually determine where you need to cut the new chain to get an amount of slackness similar to what you started with.  (It may need to be a little tighter since the new chain is presumbaly un-worn.)  Don't forget to account for the new master link!

I can think of two other ways to do it:

1) Cut the old chain, spin it off the bike.  Stretch it out, lay the new chain next to it and cut to match.  (But then you have to thread the new one on "from scratch"  ... yuck. )

2) Count out 110 links (assuming that you still have the stock sprocket sizes) and cut.  Don't forget to account for the new master link!  Use the old chain to thread the new one on, as mentioned above.

Yep old one is off...I'm painting the bike. I changed to a 44tooth rear sprocket and 17 tooth front sooo..I'm, starting from 0.I have the wheel lined up on the mark closest to the front to allow for chain strech.After I get the measurement I'm taking it to get it riveted.
the clutch cover is off and I'm just now reassembling,so I can pull off the swing arm to install.

Dont you have the master link with a clip?    I've used them countless times and NEVER had a problem with one yet.  riveting the chain OFF the frame isnt a good idea, because if I'm not mistaken, theres another piece of metal there that will make installation impossible.

Yeah it came with a clip...but I'm using the rivet type.I've had it disassembled...so taking the swing arm off isn't a biggy.I can have it on and off in about 20 minutes.
I'm REALLY anal about my bonsai runs... Don't won't to take any chances....

If you put the clip on right, its just as solid as the rivet.   in one direction, inertia could make it pop off, but the other way, it will serve only to hold the clip solidly in place.    but its your bike in the end.

I checked the Wiki site maybe we should have this on there, like a chain replacement page. I understand about being anal about not using a clip master link. I have only thought about replacing my chain and have not yet tried it. Ronin your question helps us all. Good luck

Quote from: bobthebiker on January 24, 2008, 09:32:47 PM
If you put the clip on right, its just as solid as the rivet.   in one direction, inertia could make it pop off, but the other way, it will serve only to hold the clip solidly in place.    but its your bike in the end.

I agree.   

Thank's Guy's...

Found a neat little video on this..Not a Gs..but it'll do.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaS0MBa_3Q&feature=related

Also  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPzveH80rrY&NR=1