New Chain And Sprockets

Just got back from a european tour on my 5th Gen. Unfortunately the chain is dead. It is so tight in one spot it looks like it will snap, then turn the wheel half a rotation and the thing is so loose it could fall off!

I don't know how it got me home!!

Anyway, is this an expensive job to put right?

I realise the parts are aprox �100 ($200) ish, but what should I expect to pay on labour?

Also, will the bike feel very different with new chain and sprockets, eg smoother, quieter etc?

Cheers,

$200 sounds about right. I do not know about the labor, but it should not take more than an hour or hour and half if the service is done by a professional. (it took me a week but that is an other story...)
Yes, your bike should feel different but I do not think it would feel "very" different.

Check the how-to pages here on this site and do it yourself.

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.p...;showarticle=54

Various outfits sell chain and sprocket kits on EBAY, usually cheaper than your local dealer.

Here's one on EBAY UK right now for 85 pounds:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CHAIN-SPROCKETS-FITS...1QQcmdZViewItem

Was just waiting for you to ask, I just checked w/ the Honda dealer this afternoon:

Labor 1.5 Hours to Replace Sprockets and Chain: $120 USD

00Yeller, Nov 2 2007, 01:36 PMWas just waiting for you to ask, I just checked w/ the Honda dealer this afternoon:

Labor 1.5 Hours to Replace Sprockets and Chain: $120 USD

Sounds about right. I had mine done recently by an indie shop and they charged me for an hour. I'd removed left side upper fairing.

And yes, I noticed a big difference with the new chain. My old one was making a ton of noise. I was also lucky to make it home on my last trip.

For the cost of labor, I'd personally just go buy a chain breaker/riveter tool and do it yourself. Then you can save money the next time you need to put a new chain since you already have the tools to do it (and you can do it on your own time instead of some shop's). 491.gif

After what you have done to your bike already, fitting a new chain and sprockets yourself should be a cinch.
Sounds like it all went OK on the trip of Europe?

Very easy job this place seems to have good prices and I think they are on
your side of the pond.
http://shop.wemoto.com/pictures/productlogo/products.html

New chain and sprockets feel very good. It is almost like the new tire feeling. SMOOTH.

swas, Nov 2 2007, 10:43 PMAfter what you have done to your bike already, fitting a new chain and sprockets yourself should be a cinch.
Sounds like it all went OK on the trip of Europe?

Glad you remembered me Swas! France trip was fantastic. The bike held up great and no more trouble since replacing the regulator rectifier! I did however suffer a puncture but manged 1000 miles on a puncture repair kit! They are a great investment!

Is the chain that easy to replace then? I had a look in the manual, the job looks reasonably easy, but what put me off was the fact that the new chain must be properly rivited or could come apart and cause a nasty accident. I have never rivited a chain before, so am very cautious. As far as the strip down and rebuild go, I am sure I can manage that, just worried about the chain part.

Thanks for you replies guys, this really is a great forum for advice and support!

Definitely an easy DIY job - just get a decent chain tool and you're in there like swimwear. If I can do it, anyone can do it dry.gif Besides, there is a great deal of satisfaction of doing your own work and doing it better than it would be by some bitter knuckledragger with a hangover at a shop. unsure.gif As for chains, I've found long lasting happiness with D.I.D.