Changing front Sprocket?

External Since: Dec 04, 2003 Posts: 14

whats involved in changing a front sprocket.. is it easy... or should I have
a dealer do it for me?

www.sportbikes.ca
Canada's SportBike Hangout

External Since: Aug 01, 2003 Posts: 578

SportBikes Canada wrote:

> whats involved in changing a front sprocket.. is it easy... or should I
> have a dealer do it for me?

If you're asking, maybe you better let the dealer do it. In theory, it's
easy. Since you don't mention what the sprocket is on, I'll assume the
worst case. First, spend an hour or three figuring out how to remove the
bodywork to get to the sprocket. Then' spend a little more time getting the
guard or whatever off. Notice that you don't have a wrench to fit the large
nut, and ChannelLoks aren't going to do it. Put the bike back together and
go to the parts store for the tools.

Get back home, take it apart, lean on your shiny new socket, and learn about
the virutes of a liberal application of red loctite by some bored factory
dweeb. Pick the bike up, since all you've done with a big wrench is to turn
the entire drive train and move the entire bike forward off the kickstand.

Place a piece of pipe through the read wheel to prevent futher excursions.
Find 4 feet of pipe for a breaker bar extension, and apply maximal effort.
Note the spokes bending.

Scan the internet, and drop back to plan B. Remove more bodywork so you can
get a sparkplug out. Cut down the wife's clothesline and stuff the
cylinder. With an absolutely immobile bike, apply more torque to no effect.

Scan the net some more. Borrow the pissed off wife's car, go to the hardware
store and buy a propane torch. Come home, fire up the torch. Note that a
considerable amount of gas dripped out when the bike fell off the stand and
is now burning fiercely. Call the fire department. They get there too late
to save the garage, but at least the house is only lightly singed.

Find that the new bike you've bought with the insurance money comes with a
brand new sprocket.

Best case scenario: it'll take about 15 minutes including adjusting the
chain.