Topic: 750 K8 630 Chain Replacement

[Terry in Australia]

I'm not sure what length 530 chain you'll need  Eldy, the F2 has a longer swingarm than the earlier K's, but I don't know if this is the case with the K7/K8.

Not a biggie though, I bought a new 530 "X" ring chain from Davey Benge last year and from memory it's around 110 links, so will be plenty long enough.

Shortening the chain is simplicity itself, all you need to do is file or grind the riveted portion of the pin off , and just push it out, then fit the joining link. Cheers, Terry.    

[bhassell]

Eldar and all...K8s

posted sprocket details up the post...finished chain tonight.  Bought 110 links, removed 6.  As Terry said, no sweat grinding off rivets to remove links.

Still think that some of these details would make good FAQ post for future k8 conversions from 630 to 530 but thats my 2c....

Thanks to all for feedback, real time saver...

Bob

[eldar]

What sprockets did you go with? I was thinking of doing 17 and 46 since that seems to be the most common size I find.

[Terry in Australia]

What sprockets did you go with? I was thinking of doing 17 and 46 since that seems to be the most common size I find.

I'll go 18/48 on my F2 Eldy, that's about the most common combo on the earlier K's. The 17 toother will give me snappier accelleration, but at the expense of my engine working slightly harder and revving maybe 500 RPM higher at 60 Mph, for no real benefit, which annoyed me with the 630 chain and sprockets.

I did have an 18/42 combo on my other K1 for awhile, but found that the engine didn't have the torque needed to accellerate cleanly from below 35 Mph in top gear without changing down, but you might get away with it on your K8 because of your "pumper"carbs, and your 17" rear wheel has already reduced your gearing slightly. Cheers, Terry.  

[bhassell]

What sprockets did you go with? I was thinking of doing 17 and 46 since that seems to be the most common size I find.

Went with 18/48 and no complaints.  Same as Terry, (and on his advice) was looking to reduce RPM at highway and am not disappointed in loss of power...Haven't put much road time on yet but will soon.  If looks like sacrificed too much, will probably pickup 17t front.

[HondaMan]

The K8 came with an oring chain from the factory. The K7 may have too.
Clearance is not an issue.

Terry or HM, What was the standard f/r for the K1? How about K2 - K6? Also, as far as I can tell, the distance from spline to axle did not change on the K models, what length of 530 chain would I need?  I dont really care to have to cut it down.

While I do like the style of the K8, chain selection and sprocket is rather slim as terry well knows.

Thunder;
The K0 was 16/45.
The K1 until March, 1971 (don't know the serial numbers anymore) was also 16/45, but all K1 models were recalled and a 17T added up front with a small, sheet metal "chain guide" added around the sprocket. This mounted on teh case through-bolt that is just above the c'sprocket. It was supposed to guide a breaking chain around the sprocket and onto the ground instead of wrapping it around the crankshaft and destroying the cases - which was the big problem at the time. It didn't work.
The K1 after March, 1971 was 17T/48T, with highly tapered teeth and a .5mm larger base circle on both sprockets.
The K2-K6 was 18T/48T, also with the tapered teeth and larger base circle sprockets.

I lost track of the later ones with the 630 chains.

[eldar]

Well I doubt chain breakage is an issue these days with our bikes, unless it is a cheap chinese chain. So I was looking at 17/46 but I think my 78 has 15/41 or something like that. I forget off-hand right now. If I am correct, I will end up with a very similar ratio 15/41 = 2.733
17/46 = 2.70 But I will have a 530 which is much more available.

[enforcer]

I have never replaced a chain and sprockets before, and was thinking about doing it this spring on my K5.  How big of a job is it?  Can it be accomplished in an afternoon? 

Enforcer

[Terry in Australia]

I have never replaced a chain and sprockets before, and was thinking about doing it this spring on my K5.  How big of a job is it?  Can it be accomplished in an afternoon? 

Enforcer

Yeah mate, it's a piece of cake. There's probably a FAQ on it, if not, post a question, and you'll have about 20 different opinions on the best way to accomplish it, that you can work from! Cheers, Terry.

[Clyde]

Terrry,
According to my records Honda changed from the 16T to the 17t sprocket at engine no 1003528 and to the 18T sprocket at 1044806.
I use an 18t sprocket on my F1 for the very reasons Terry mentioned. However I did 410kms on it last Saturday and wished I had kept the 17T as I was trying to keep up with CBX1000 and I needed all the help I could get.
Seriously though it is more pleasant to ride with an 18T and for normal use has enough midrange to pull it OK. Fuel consumption is definitely better. Top speed is just as good in 4th as 5th, so it effectively makes it a bit of an overdrive
Regds Clyde