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Chain and sprockets

Discussion in 'Tech Help' started by steampunk, Jun 16, 2015.

  1. steampunk
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    steampunk Member

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    Well, never having had to have replace my chain and sprockets I'm looking for brand/supplier recommendations. CMC offered me a set for around the $180 mark. Looked at chain and gang which i understand is meant to last significantly longer but at about double the price I think i'll pass. Anyone have any other recommendations?

    I was also thinking of upping the rear sprocket by 4 teeth although I'm not sure whether it would take off much of it's top speed though, which is already pretty low (tops out at about 140ish).
     
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  2. John.R
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    Im not even sure what pitch a 250 runs, but you can't really go too wrong with steel sprockets and a decent o-ring chain.

    4 teeth up on the rear seems a bit much, but check gearing commander to see where your top speed will be dropped too.
     
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  3. supamodel
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    supamodel Secret Aaaaaagent Man Staff Member Moderator Supporter

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    The CMC ones will most likely be JT sprockets. Perfectly serviceable steel ones. If you want alloy, renthal or vortex (in that order). Otherwise, JT all the way.

    You might find the JT parts slightly cheaper in Aus if you search by part number: http://jtsprockets.com/ (I'm pretty sure our VTR250 is the MC33, but on that you might want to cross reference the Honda part numbers)

    (JTF are fronts, JTR are rears - obvious, but useful to know.)

    On a VTR250 I think +4 on the rear would be crazy. Gearingcommander will tell you how bad the top speed will be but with the 5 speed they have etc, I wouldn't do more than about +2 on the rear. You could drop one off the front but that'll be more dramatic... so your alternative could be -1 front -1 rear, which will approximate a +2 on the rear - but be slightly quicker to get back to stock (you can run a standard stock front for a slightly longer than stock setup for long highway hauls if you did that).

    Oh and other thing with JT part numbers, the .xx at the end is the # of teeth. Makes it easier to find the gearing in options you like.

    $180 though sounds roughly right. You'll pay ~$100 for a decent 520 chain - DID or RK, don't get fooled by ebay cheapies either - so it doesn't sound hugely unreasonable.
     
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  4. supamodel
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    supamodel Secret Aaaaaagent Man Staff Member Moderator Supporter

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    23801-KV0-720 $61.64 Front sprocket
    41201-KFK-000 $117.62 Rear sprocket

    So yeah is the $180 just sprockets (Actual OEM ones) or sprockets + chain? If it's sprockets plus chain, jump on it, if it's just sprockets, then I'd go JT steel
     
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  5. steampunk
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    yeah, was $180 for chain and sprockets. so going with that, ended up going +1 on the rear cause they couldnt do a +2, and standard on the front. Hopefully in by friday so I can do a trip to port macquarie.
     
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  6. steampunk
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    steampunk Member

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    Also, is removal and installation something that should be done without a chain breaker? or is it one of those tools I'll just need?
     
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  7. supamodel
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    supamodel Secret Aaaaaagent Man Staff Member Moderator Supporter

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    Depends on the chain. It might come with a rivet link (then you def need a breaker & riveter). I personally think they're worth having, you'll use it time and again and way better than showering the arse of the bike with sparks.

    If you're feeling like a northside trip we can probably do it here.
     
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  8. CT90
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    Wasn't there another Steampunk around here?
     
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  9. steampunk
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    that would be awesome @supamodel, depending if it all turns up friday.

    and hey craig, been a while. still got the r1?
     
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  10. Trotski
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    use bolt cutters to get an old chain off the bike, you only get sparks off them if you really go hard
     
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  11. CT90
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    You confused me there with the bike you have. What happened to the CBR, do you still have it? Yeah, still got the R1 although it might be time to update soon before its worth nothing.
     
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  12. stu
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    Angle grinder is a good way to get the chain off as well....

    For a 250 you might get a chain with a clip, so no chain-breaker necessary then.
     
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  13. supamodel
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    supamodel Secret Aaaaaagent Man Staff Member Moderator Supporter

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    I'm not a fan of using a grinder on a chain unless necessary. On the old chain unless you spotlessly clean the bike, it's a good way to stick little bits of metal into the old chain lube. On the new chain it's a great way to get little bits of metal into the awesome grease that comes on new chains.

    Steampunk's chain did have a clip, but it's easier with my chain breaker/pressing tool to press the side plate on with that tool than it is to use pliers to do so, so all good :).
     
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  14. DonT
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    You'll be getting known as SupaTool if you're not careful :p
    still if you asl me supamodel is pretty much deceptive labelling anyhow :D
     
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  15. supamodel
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    supamodel Secret Aaaaaagent Man Staff Member Moderator Supporter

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    The whole asl thing is actually where the name came from, many many years ago :).
     
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