Are the steps to change the chain and sprokets on here anywhere? I can figure it out by myself if necessary but if the steps are written down somewhere to make it easier that would be helpful. You know, less chance of inventing the wheel again.
pietperson
Can not find any but I did a short one on the front sprocket. You will need an impact gun or a long power bar for the front. Should take about 45 mins to swap out the sprocket itself. Cleaning the area will take longer.
You need to remove the sprocket cover held with a 10 mm bolt. Take off the cover, there is a lock washed that needs to be hammered out of the way. If it is not been used more then twice it is still good to go. Need to lock the rear tire with the brake on and loosen the nut holding the drive sprocket on and just remove it.When replacing the nut torque to 84 ft lbs and then bend a new section of the washer or replace it with a new one for the cost.
Rear sprocket is not so much other then the tire has to come off, so seat off, fender off and then remove the wheel, then the bolts holding the sprocket on are removed, new sprocket is put on with the # of teeth facing outwards, I used a wee bit of blue lock tite, and tighten them to torque specs, 54 ft lbs.
this is also a good time to check the rubber dampeners in the rear wheel assembly.
here are some pictures to see what I was talking about....
and the end....
rear sprocket
Excellent pictures and descriptions, Ratman! I will be changing out my 17/40 to 18/38 this winter after riding season is over here. I would like to know if I still use the stock chain length (112) or do I need to get one shorter by a link or two? Thanks for any input...
Thank you so much for the pictures. This will make the job much easier and faster. The illustrations were fantastic!
I went with the stock chain, and sorry can not remember but I think I had to shorten it by one link, if I remember right I bought the stock because the length I wanted was not normal so it was easier to just take the one link out. I will be doing new chain and sprockets this winter also.
Thanks for the compliment and hope the pictures do help both of you.....it is really not that hard. Also a great time to lube the bearings and like I said to check the rubber dampeners.
thanks for the chain info. I have a full machine shop at my research farm and I use lots of chain driven equipment, so shorting a stock chain by one link will not be an issue...the pics are good because I like to know ahead of time what I am getting into before I tear something apart....
spent 20 minutes this afternoon changing out my front sprocket to 18T. just lifted the rear tire, loosened the rear axle and pushed the whole assembly forward to get enough slack in the chain to pull the front sprocket slip the new one on with the chain in place. I have an electric impact wrench which made it go quick (luckily I had a 27mm impact socket as well). waxed the chain while I had it exposed, too. Going on a day ride to the coast Thursday with a buddy and his new Harley street glide...looking forward to seeing the difference with the new front sprocket at 55-60 mph
If you do not notice a change for the better then send a note to GB and he will refund your monies because he talked me into doing the change and I really like it. ::)
I am sure you will notice a difference and it should be for the better, you will not be hunting for that 6th gear. 55-60 mph = 88-96 kph is nothing on my bike, I have found the sweet speed for my machine at the gearing I have is around 75 mph, seems to run really good there and can run there all day.
I run around 70 mph when I use the freeway going to my research farm...and it is a little buzzy at that speed..most of the time I take back roads and run 55-60 mph...looking forward to seeing the difference ...and yes, I do find that since shifting up gears is so "automatic" that I will try for "6th" occasionally...only to be disappointed :'(
I was married for fifteen years so I am well versed in disappointment.
But I am really interested in what you will think of this small change to the bike and what you find. So be interested in a write up after your trip.
31 yrs this coming 9/14...LOL
I meant to ask...when you changed to 18/38 did you go to a 110 link chain? Just the 18 moved my axle up in front of the center point of the swing arm markings....I know that the 112 link will likely be a little long, but I am not sure if a 110 is to short...and I don't want to use a half-link...can't get them in O or X ring...
thanks in advance
I stuck with a 112 link chain and just removed I think it was one link to get it close to the right length. Then installed the master link and it was right on. This was the recommendation of the best Kaw mechanic in town.
Got back today from a 200 mile loop ride to the Oregon coast with a buddy on his Harley bagger. I noticed 2 things right away with the new 18t front sprocket...
1. I could hardly hear the chain at all, even at low speed, and
2. less engine buzzing at 60+mph.
I think the reduction in chain noise is due to the new sprocket not being as thick as the old one below the teeth. the old one looked like the outside edges of the pin links rode on it as well as the rollers....the new one is only as wide as the teeth and that seems to make it MUCH more quiet. And I mean REALLY quiet...like it wasn't a chain drive at all.... ;D Of course, I did wax again after I put the new sprocket on....but still.....
Also, at the end of the trip today, I figured out my mileage was 49.49 MPG....and that was a combination of winding road following a river through the coastal range and some flat open road...about 6+ mpg better than before....So...this winter I will put the 38 tooth rear on and see how it goes next spring....
So I guess this means that GreenBarn is not going to have to pay for the mod because it has worked.......good for you, the next sprocket change will be even easier........
I am really tempted to change the rear tomorrow while my babyback ribs are slow cookin' on the grill.....I will have 3 1/2 to 4 hours to get it done...should be no problem, right?
:o cooking ribs......it might be a problem if I lived closer because you would have to keep an eye on me not to eat the ribs....but if you have the sprocket, and you have the place to work, and 4 hours to kill then I would be doing it.........45 mins to remove the seat, and fender, 15 mins to drop the wheel, 10 min to swap sprockets, 10 mins to check the rubber dampeners, grease the bearings, then reverse the doing, 15 mins for wheel back up, 45 mins to replace the fender and seat.......
less then 3 hours and a fudge factor built in ....you can cook the ribs, do the sprocket swap, and even have time to spend time with your choice the kids or wife and make them feel special........ ::) :o
Quote from: CDNRatMan on September 04, 2016, 19:24:03 PM
So I guess this means that GreenBarn is not going to have to pay for the mod because it has worked.......good for you, the next sprocket change will be even easier........
Well, I'm darned glad to hear that... Have enough problems financing my OWN mods.... :o
Glad to hear you like it, Seedman. It will be a little better yet with the rear sprocket done too.
did someone mention ribs..???
LOL I was wondering how long it was going to take for you to get here......lol......the ribs were really good.....oh I had them at the Moose tonight.......I had to eat your share and brought my share home for another meal.
OR did you get the rear one done? Or did you find something else to do.....
actually the ribs were really good....4 hrs of slow cooking and my own special rub...3 full racks devoured by 5 of us....and the sprocket change only took 1 hr. and the 112 link chain was just fine...the rear axle sits just a tiny bit past top dead center...took it out for a spin on the back roads up to 75 mph....still plenty of torque but a lot less engine noise....me like very much....
here is a pic of 2 of the racks...the third one is on another grill.
Well if I am ever out that way at least I know I'll be feed well and lots of it........I like coleslaw and potato salad with my ribs or fresh fries........
Now back to the sprocket change, of course you took plenty of pictures and can combine yours and mine to make a really nice write up for the rest of the forum and or new people on the correct way it should be done.......
Sorry...no pics (I was in a hurry). Besides, there is no way I could add to your excellent detailed pictures and explanation.... ;D. One thing I might add for those that want to do this without help, however, is that when I raised the rear tire up (while on side stand with a floor jack and a piece of 1x5 to span the swing arm), I set it so the tire was just barely touching the floor. This made it very easy to pull the axle and also set everything back together with minimum fuss and no extra help. Once everything was back together, I raised the tire so I could spin it and check the alignment before tightening everything down. I might add that I do have a complete set of mechanic's tools and that I have been working on all kinds of vehicles since I was in my teens....so this kind of job is fairly easy for me to do...I just don't mess with electrical stuff....
thought I would give an update on the sprocket change I did a few weeks ago. I have notice a couple of definite improvements to my overall riding experience since the change over..
1. Noticeably quieter going down the road at any speed....the chain seems to produce a lot less noise...especially at the front sprocket...I can even hear the tire road noise at lower speeds instead of the chain. However, I can also now hear my speedo cable whining a bit....I may have to lube it....
2. MPG - BIG improvement.....I was getting around 42 mpg before the change while doing mixed town and freeway driving....after about 500 miles with the new setup, I am getting 50.5 mpg over the same conditions.....that is a significant improvement. I don't really notice any loss of torque, either.
So, in conclusion, I think that the 18/38 sprocket set up is a major upgrade over the 17/40 OEM set up. Makes the bike more enjoyable all around......just my $0.02 worth....
ride safe..
8) 8) So I guess I'll be getting a rib dinner if I am ever on the West coast, and Greenbarn does not have to pay for your parts because you are happy.
anytime you happen to be here...the ribs are on me ;D. but parts are never free..... :o.