Topic: Chain installation

[noobie dave]

Hey guys, i've never installed a new chain before.  I assumed that when I recieved my new chain, it would already be "circular", but I guess I have to rivet/clip it together.  I'm confused as to the order of things.

I'm installing new sprockets in addition to the new chain; do I have to link the chain before putting it on the new sprockets, or should i wrap the chain around the newly installed sprockets and then rivet it?  Does it matter what order I do this in, being that I'm installing new sprockets anyway and already have the rear axle and side engine cover off?

I have a '78 CB550k.

Thanks.

[robscb350f]

Your chain needs to be put on, with it going through the swing arm.  YOu should put it together on the bike.

[eldar]

Easy way to do it is to link it to your old chain, if it is still on, and then pull it through. Otherwise, leave it unlinked and pull it through and around the sprockets then link it. Be warned that you may need a riveting tool depending on your chain.

[noobie dave]

I've got an RK530XSO.  I suppose I'll need some sort of riveting tool, as that's always how it seems to work out for meh.  Anyone know of a cheaper one I could buy?  Or any alternative?

Can someone explain to me the problem with linking the chain, then putting it on the sprockets and then bolting the sprockets on?

[robscb350f]

I've got an RK530XSO.  I suppose I'll need some sort of riveting tool, as that's always how it seems to work out for meh.  Anyone know of a cheaper one I could buy?  Or any alternative?

Can someone explain to me the problem with linking the chain, then putting it on the sprockets and then bolting the sprockets on?

If you link the chain, you will have to remove the swingarm, or take off the rear shock. to thread it it through it.  The chain goes on your front sprocket, through the swingarm and on your rear sprocket.  Hope that helps.

[MCRider]

I've got an RK530XSO.  I suppose I'll need some sort of riveting tool, as that's always how it seems to work out for meh.  Anyone know of a cheaper one I could buy?  Or any alternative?

Can someone explain to me the problem with linking the chain, then putting it on the sprockets and then bolting the sprockets on?

What type of master link came with the chain? Rivet or clip? IF its a rivet link, one can do a good enough job by holding the plates together with a narrow cahnnel lock and splying the end of the exposed pins out with a small sharp chisel. That is what the rivet tool does, but it does it neater.

If its a clip link, just clip it up. If its a rivet link consider switching to a clip. Even on a clip link master link, the sideplates may be a press fit. There again a naroow channel lock is handy. Squeeze the sideplate onton the pins as far as it will go, tighten the channel lock and tap a jaw with a hammer. the plate will slide on a bit more. Tighten the channel lock again and tap it again and so on. Don't go to far or the plate will rub against the adjacent link. Just press the sideplate on till the groove for the clip is exposed  then clip it.

As far as stringing it on the sprockets then laying it up, as previous posted here, you have to get the chain around the swing arm. You would have to remove the swingarm to do it that way. Just install the sprockets, thread the chain around and afix the master link, rivet or clip.

[eldar]

That does not work with an RK chain. I got one last year and it was a 530. It was a master link but I still needed to press it on. It will NOT come off without a breaker either.

[Johnie]

I did not use a breaker, but my Dremel with a grinder end.  Came off real easy that way.

[texaninseattle]

I hope you havent put that chain on yet....I believe that is an x ring chain which will not work well on your 550...you need a standard 530 chain.

[noobie dave]

hmmm.  This is the chain I found reccommended online.  How come it won't work well?  I thought it was OK to upgrade from a standard chain to O-ring or x-ring.

[bryanj]

Not on 500/550 they are too wide and eat into the crankcase!!!

[derkafer]

Nom nom nom 

[noobie dave]

Interesting.  The X-ring chain is only 2mm wider than the original chain.  I still have to get the side cover off the crankcase, which has thus far required re-cutting the slots on the screws with a dremel tool and using an impact driver to get them out (basically destroying the screws).  I'll get the cover off and break the old chain and see how the new one fits.

Hopefully the company I bought it from (motorcycleproshop.com) will allow me to return it if it doesn't fit.  This has been a long, #$%*ty journey. 

Thanks for the info though.

[Johnie]

Yah, dump those old screws and replace them with hex.  Got mine from www.stainlesscycle.com  Good luck with the chain.

[mustangcar]

i had the local honda dealer press the rivet link on my 630 chain,5 bucks is what they charged f,ing cheap, chain was off the bike, i had the swingarm off anyways,they kept asking me are you sure you can install it once we close it up,,yeah i told them, don't worry about it just rivit it and shut the f- up,just kidding didn't tell them that part,of coarse i bought the chain from them about 100 smackers all is well the RK630 looks nice and beefy

[noobie dave]

cool.  I've also noticed that one can simply buy a clipping master link for like 6 bucks or something.  I'll see if the local shop has one I can buy.  Either that or if they'll loan me or sell me (cheaply) a rivet tool.

This is all pending, of course, that the x-ring chain will fit.  I just spent an hour getting one of the screws out (that's the average time).  What a #$%*.  I've got one more screw to go before i can even see if the chain fits. 

This bike is like a bad relationship.  I abuse it, and it abuses me...but we still love eachother?

[medic09]

Note what Bryanj said about eating into your case.  Some folks have had bad experiences here with modern design chains on the smaller Fours.

Personally, I'd return it before messing around with it.  At that point I doubt they'd take it back.  Or better yet, get a 750 and you can use any type of chain you like. 

[eldar]

I do have a Q. Does this chain issue pertain to the 78 550? I know the earlier 750s did not come with o-ring but the 77/78 did. Are we sure the 550 didn't go the same way? I am not saying to just try the chain, I am actually wondering about this.

[nteek754]

hey there, the rivit type link is really easy to install and flaten. done it to sisters 750 and have taken it off and put back on again. the rivit tip if you will is kinda soft. I just put a sludge hammer on the back side of the link and use a small ball peen hammer to flaten or spread have fun good luck .

[eldar]

mushrooming the pins is not the hard part. It is getting the side plate on. My rk BENT a c-clamp. I have to grind it out a little and even then it was hard to get on.

[Johnie]

On my RK I used the C-clamp and a very small socket for the shaft of the chain to push through.  Take your time working both posts a little at a time.  If you have a good dealer like I do, he let me borrow his chain rivet tool.  Just bring him a big bag of popcorn or sausage...

[noobie dave]

ok, well I've installed the new sprockets, and I put the new chain on using the old master link just so I could play with it.  Thus far it doesn't seem like it's rubbing against the crankcase, altough it's pretty close.  How much play am I going to get on the "side-to-side" movement of the chain?

This is tough; I don't want to return the chain and lose money on a restocking fee, and I really would like a high-quality chain that will last a long time.  I also don't want to grind holes in my Crankcase though either.

[noobie dave]

supplementary to my last question, how much further, if any, does a clipping master link stick out than a rivet link?  That could be a factor here...

[MCRider]

supplementary to my last question, how much further, if any, does a clipping master link stick out than a rivet link?  That could be a factor here...

That's a good question. Certainly a bit more than the rivet link.

It would seem to me you would hear it rubbing, and/or you could  apply side to side pressure on the chain while spinning the wheel to test that. Also, if it did rub, could it actually rub a hole in anything? Seems it would just rub until it has clearance and stop. You could remove the cover and relieve any rub mark areas with a Dremel to avoid chain wear.

But I defer to those who actually own your model and have experience. I don't, and am only killing time till the Indy MotoGP starts.

[noobie dave]

For sh*ts and giggles, here's a pic of what it looked like when I removed the side cover.  There were spiderwebs, dead bugs, and a crapload of dirt.  You can also see that I totally stripped the sprocket.



Here's a pic with the new sprocket; you can see the grooves cut by the old chain, probably when it started whipping and stripping the sprocket.



The grooved area is the only place in danger of grinding from what I can tell; if anything I think it might get a little deeper.  I could also put the clip-on master link facing the outside, avoiding a run-in with the crankcase.  I dunno.