Change the sprockets and the chain together. Most chains come with a master link. You will need to loosen the rear wheel but not remove it. You will also need a dremmel tool and a chain tool. Not hard to do, just tricky. Maybe somebody around you can help you out. A cheap chain is OK but won't last as long. Look for chain and sprocket kits on ebay. Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2012 19:19:14 -0700 From: [email protected] To: [email protected] CC: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Chain replacement
I'm getting an education here. Much appreciated. On Friday, July 6, 2012 6:32:35 PM UTC-4, Allen wrote:Sawzall with a metal blade. If you just do the chain the old sprockets will wear the new chain faster. It is recommended to replace as a set. A broken chain gets pulled into the engine and gets locked up usually cracking the case and can severely injure your left leg. Just a thought.Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: EGrider <[email protected]> Sender: [email protected] Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2012 15:20:35 -0700 (PDT)To: <[email protected]>ReplyTo: [email protected] Subject: [Nighthawk Lovers] Re: Chain replacement Can I confirm one thing? Allen and Kurt, you both mention sprockets. I was under the impression that I was replacing the chain before it ruined my sprockets. If I were going to replace the sprockets anyway, the skinflint in me would be tempted to just keep riding, since I would never know that something was amiss if I didn't get down on my knees and squint at the little arrow behind the axle. I've seen diagrams of "OK" and "replace" wear patterns on sprockets since I was a kid. If the teeth on my sprockets look symmetrical, am I good with just a chain? I don't have a dremmel; I'm wondering if there's a cutting tool I could just put on my electric drill. About the clip-on master link, I put 30K miles on my first CB550K back in the 80's but never had any chain issues. Maybe I could chance a master link on the new chain I buy. On Friday, July 6, 2012 3:05:44 PM UTC-4, EGrider wrote:First of all, thanks to all who offered suggestions on my trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway. I couldn't get as far up north as I wanted to at the request of the person sitting behind me, but we loved the trip, rain and all. We made it to Blowing Rock, NC before looping over into TN and down through US129 into GA. I just checked the chain after all the miles I put on the bike (1996 750 Nighthawk), and the indicator is back in the "replace chain" range. So I checked the illegally downloaded shop manual I've got and found that I need to buy a 525 110-link chain. A quick check of Ebay, Bikebandit, etc. shows me I can spend between $25.95 and $185 for a replacement. I put a $30 chain on my 1978 CB550K (my Sunday afternoon bike) and it seems just fine, but I don't ride that bike states away with the Mrs. on the back. Question #1 How much should I spend on a chain to get one of stock quality? The bike has 24K miles on it now; I bought it with 13K. If that is the original chain and I can get another 24K miles out of the next one, that is fine with me. I might not put another 24K on it. Advice? Q#2 How do I get the old chain off when the new one comes in? Strangely, I don't find instructions for this in the shop manual at all, and I didn't find it on Paul's how-to's or a Google search. I do not find a master link on the old chain at all, and I've cranked it around slowly, checking both sides. Do I take off the real tire, undo the back left shock, and slip it off the rear pivot arm? Bolt cutters? Hacksaw? And if the new one has no master link, what then? I hate to be such a newb, but thanks in advance for any and all advice. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/nighthawk_lovers/-/eMZEWVLuy2YJ. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/nighthawk_lovers/-/HhCTjRua1O0J. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en.
