Changing chain and sprocket things

[James in Brum]

In the end I did not get the kit to service that front end. Will

get round to that when I have some time and money in the summer. 
 

I do however already have a chain and sprockets I bought last year when I was flush.

 

I have watched some YouTube video’s. I am however a wee bit nervous in case I end up taking my bike off the road to do the job and then it takes too long to put back together or there is a complication. 
 

thought I would post here for some advice before deciding when and whether to get on with it now. 
 

is it a difficult job, where can I go wrong? 

[James in Brum]

This is what I have:

 

[dynax]

The main thing to go wrong is cutting the chain too short if it needs cutting

[James in Brum]

If I lay old chain next to new chain is that the way to measure? Or does it say it somewhere in a manual? 

[dynax]

3 minutes ago, James in Brum said:

If I lay old chain next to new chain is that the way to measure? Or does it say it somewhere in a manual? 

 

That's what I did first, then put it on and thought this is too long so took out another link for it to end up short

So I had to get another chain, so yeah lay them side by side making sure that the rollers line up at one end

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

Count the links. 

[dynax]

Just a thought have you got the same size sprockets as what are already on?

[James in Brum]

I think so, I ordered for my bike. Will check when I get round to doing this. I am almost convinced to try this weekend.

[dynax]

Just now, James in Brum said:

I think so, I ordered for my bike. Will check when I get round to doing this. I am almost convinced to try this weekend.

 

Good man, if you are unsure just lay them out and take a picture and post here just to double check

Another thing to remember is the locking washer for the front sprocket as it will only fit one way, so before you take it off, give a clean and mark the front with a marker or some paint or something, so you know which way it goes back

[Ian Frog]

Hi James first of all count the links as has been said then check the sprockets are the same size.

Assuming all is ok thus far cut the old chain using an angle grinder if possible as the kit you have whilst it says it is a splitter you will struggle I promise you.

If you are familiar with riveting you will be fine following the instructions for installation but I would suggest you have a large punch and a good old fashioned hammer available to make sure.

All this is redundant if you can borrow or hire a proper chain tool like a whale (purchase price nearly £100 but nothing better).

Cheers

Ian

 

[James in Brum]

I’ve taken the plunge. First hurdle is I have an old socket set I keep at the allotment. I need that because the nut on the front sprocket is more than 23mm and my Halfords pro kit only goes to 23mm.

 

 

[James in Brum]

I’ve taken the plunge. First hurdle is I have an old socket set I keep at the allotment. I need that because the nut on the front sprocket is more than 23mm and my Halfords pro kit only goes to 23mm.

 

 

[James in Brum]

Got off the front Sprocket locking nut and washer. 
 

now to remove the rear wheel. Is it right that it is really hard to undo that nut on the rear wheel. And what the flippin heck is the pin thing going through the other side?

 

 

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

The pin is a locking split pin. You need to have a replacement ready for when you refit. The rear axle nut will usually be pretty tight but usually able to loosen using a short breaker bar on the socket.

 

[James in Brum]

Loosened the torque link nuts. 
 

(this is me keeping a record of what I have to undo and do up  )

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

Have you loosened the adjuster nut on the back of the swingarm? It looks like it is a few mm backed off. It would usually be up against the face of the plate in the back of the swingarm.

[James in Brum]

Yes. It said to do that before removing spindle.

 

I need a new pin thing for here. Will have it go to Cradely Heath in the morning. 
 

 

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

If you don't mind a suggestion, I give threads a smear of copper grease every time I work on anything. So your adjuster nuts and threads won't get corrosion for example. It's usually sold as copper assembly compound.

 

It's handy where you have two different metals in contact which can lead to corrosion. Alloy wheels on steel hubs for example. Just a smear and things come apart easily and threads don't get rusty.

[James in Brum]

Thanks.

furst bigger hurdle. I thought that the riveting tool was the pin to break the chain and may have knackered my tool

 

[James in Brum]

Stopped for the night. I was going to have to get the angle grinder out and I was avoiding that because of the lateness of the evening. (Not that I doubted your advice @Ian Frog)

 

in the morning I will use the grinder, see if I can mend the tool, grind the chain off take all the bits off, make sure I have the right bits and hope.

 

@fastbob is the offer to borrow your chain tool still open? If I need to can I borrow you too to offer moral support? I may retrieve all this independently yet in the morning.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

If you try to press a rivet out without grinding the head off first you're putting a lot of pressure on the tool's pin. Hence you either grind the head off the rivet before pressing it out, or you just cut through the chain. 

[James in Brum]

I plan to cut through the chain with angle grinder in the morning. Reflecting on it, the riveter bit will still work so as long as I can remove the chain I can continue  

[Stu]

My steps are usually remove the sprocket nut then cut the chain off then take the rest of the bits off you need to remove 

 

I don't bother with a chain breaker to remove it! its too much effort when its not needed and its too much of a risk to break the pin too 

[James in Brum]

Lesson learned  

hopefully I have not so completed fcuked the tool and I can put it all back together.

[Bender]

24 minutes ago, James in Brum said:

Lesson learned  

hopefully I have not so completed fcuked the tool and I can put it all back together.

If chain is scrap then grinder

 

I think that's how it goes in visual basic.