Topic: Advice needed on installing new chain

[78CB750F1]

I have mounted new sprockets on my CB750 and am now ready to put on the new chain - I had trouble wrapping it around the front sprocket and am wondering what is the best order for installing it on the rear since it is so inflexible?

1.  Mount the rear wheel, wrap chain around rear sprocket and join the master link
2.  Join the master link, wrap chain around rear sprocket, raise the rear wheel and mount the axle

Thanks for your advice...

[endobendo]

Must be an o-ring chain.

First, you want to be sure you've got the right amount of links before you join anything.  If you didn't change sprocket sizes then you probably want the same number of links.  If you did change sprocket sizes or you want to be sure, you need the wheel in and adjusters 3/4 the way in.  Wrap the full chain tight around everything to see if you need to remove any links.

Remove all the gaurds to get plenty of room.  Then, with the wheel in you should have enough slack to install the master.  You will likely need a $70 chain press if you have a decent master link.  The riveted links are way stronger. 

You can join the chain without the wheel in, but I do in it for piece of mind.  The chain just shouldn't be under extraneous tension when you join it.  I use the rear sprocket to hold the loose ends together.  You can just slip the master through, then roll to an open area to press it...

[Bob Wessner]

1.  Mount the rear wheel, wrap chain around rear sprocket and join the master link

I vote for this approach, just make sure the rear axle adjusters are fully slack. Once the chain it mounted, readjust everything

[78CB750F1]

Yes it is an o-ring chain - thanks for the advice, I am going to give it a try today.

[dpen]

A handy tip for installing the spring link on an "o" or "x" ring chain.

Gat a couple of outside links from your old chain (use a grinder to get them if you don't have a chain breaker)

Put your new link together (without the spring  part) & clamp the old outers to the out side with a "g" clamp (make sure the poles on the new chain go through the holes on the old plates.)

Go away & have a beer, coming back every ten minutes to give the clamp another tighten up.

What you're doing is compressing the "o" rings.

After about half an hour undo the clamp & remove the old plates.

The new spring clip will fit on easily & you won't have damaged the "o" rings.

After another half hour they will have "uncompressed" & you're right to go.

Spring link chains are fine. I even had a spring link "x" ring on my FJ1200 & had no troubles (and that thing had some grunt)

[78CB750F1]

I couldn't get it to fit over the sprockets properly and finally came to the conclusion that it wasn't me, it was the chain - I called the supplier and sure enough, they supplied me with 530 sprockets and a 520 chain which is narrower and will not fit over the sprocket teeth.  

I was trying to have this rebuild project finished for summer but at the rate I am going I will be lucky to have it ready for winter!

[clarkjh]

I know the feeling.

James

[78 k550]

if original you have to cut it. If it has a master link take it apart and attach the new chain to it and pull it around the front sprocket.

Paul