Chains and Sprockets

[OldF7Guy_imp]

Looks like I am going to have to replace mine soon on my 750. I will not be patronizing my local Honda stealership so I wanted to ask you guys what brand I need to get and where to get them online if possible. Appreciate any advice here and want to put something back on at least as good as what came on the bike. Thanks.

 

[the Ferret]

Go with a good 530 DID X ring chain and a set of steel sprockets. I got my sprockets for my Nighthawk at Sprocket Specialists, but JT sprockets and others make good sprockets

 

[lola_imp]

amazon.com has rk 530 110 link chains for less than a $100.00 . I got myself the gold chain for the the bling bling suppose to be lighter too

 

[Randy B]

I believe the nighthawk uses a 525 chain. No need for the heft of a 530 chain on that bike,

 

[OldF7Guy_imp]

I believe the nighthawk uses a 525 chain. No need for the heft of a 530 chain on that bike,

You are correct sir. I have been trying to search tonight and is that size an oddball? I am not finding much. DID is a good brand of chain? And then buy the sprockets seperate from sprocket specialists or jt sprockets as Ferret recommended?

Do any of you guys know where you can buy this all in one transaction? I just want it to be at least as good as OEM but wont buy from my local Honda dealer. Punishment for not letting me ride a CB1100. If I need to buy from two or three places that is ok rather than giving them a cent.

Specs show this: DID 525 V9/ 110

 

[TINK_imp]

+1 on the DID chain. I've gotten 80K+ miles out of a well maintained DID.

 

[Houtman_imp]

Years ago I bought an after market sprocket from a reputable company for my 79 CBX.
When I checked it closely I noticed a small chip in one of the teeth.
I send it back and since than I only buy the OEM Honda sprockets.
With chains I use RK.

 

[the Ferret]

I believe the nighthawk uses a 525 chain. No need for the heft of a 530 chain on that bike,

Ahh, I was going from (sometimes misfiring) memory Randy. Thanks for the correction.

Now I'm going to tell you something that will really freak the safety freaks out. I also ran a clip style master link on mine. GASP!

 

[Houtman_imp]

After losing a clip on one of my chains I use rivet link only.
Motion Pro has a nice set to take care of that yourself, very easy to do.

 

[the Ferret]

Never seen a clip come off that was properly installed.

 

[DAC]

I believe the nighthawk uses a 525 chain. No need for the heft of a 530 chain on that bike,

You are correct sir. I have been trying to search tonight and is that size an oddball? I am not finding much. DID is a good brand of chain? And then buy the sprockets seperate from sprocket specialists or jt sprockets as Ferret recommended?

Do any of you guys know where you can buy this all in one transaction? I just want it to be at least as good as OEM but wont buy from my local Honda dealer. Punishment for not letting me ride a CB1100. If I need to buy from two or three places that is ok rather than giving them a cent.

Specs show this: DID 525 V9/ 110

I have used sprocketcenter.com for my one and only chain/sprocket transaction. Good service. They pretty much walk you through the transaction based on your model bike. You can buy both sprockets and the chain there. The cheapest x-ring DID chain should do it and get OEM replacement steel sprocks.

I used a guy I knew from a local forum to do the install. My advice is to do likewise, though I don't know where you are. I try to fill my rolodex with these guys' names (bike repair guy, car repair guy, bike paint guy, house paint guy, plumber, etc., etc.,) they always come in handy.

 

[ClassicVW_imp]

Now you gotta explain "Rolodex" to the under 40 crowd.....

 

[the Ferret]

Now you gotta explain "Rolodex" to the under 40 crowd.....

:rofl:

 

[DAC]

Now you gotta explain "Rolodex" to the under 40 crowd.....

Nah. Google knows this - plus it'll have images!

 

[Houtman_imp]

Never seen a clip come off that was properly installed.

I did install it myself the right way (as a fish swimming) and did not SEE it come off but it was still gone sometime later.
Perhaps it is even more important with a clip that every thing is lined up straight.
It might be like repairing a flat on a bike ,why take the risk.

 

[the Ferret]

I do both... must be the daredevil in me

 

[Houtman_imp]

I do both... must be the daredevil in me

Yes Ferret, you are a little devil !

 

[flynrider]

Quote: Do any of you guys know where you can buy this all in one transaction?
Good timing! I just replaced the chain and sprockets on my CB750 last week. I always use DID chains (never had a bad one) and prefer JT steel sprockets. I got everything at BikeBandit.com (which is where I got the last set 6 yrs. ago). I got the DID ProStreet VX525 and stock size sprockets for around $130.

The DID 525 X-ring chains come with a rivet type master link. On my last chain I used a clip link (which I've used for years), but when it came time to remove the chain, I found the clip was missing. There wasn't much danger of the chain coming apart, as I still had to do some serious prying to get the master link apart. Regardless, I opted for the rivet type link this time.

You'll need a good chain tool if you don't have one. Cycle Gear currently has a Stockton chain tool on sale for $40 (about 1/2 price) both online and in the store. It breaks, presses and rivets the master link. My last one went missing, so I picked a new one up last week. It works great as long as you're careful.

 

[OldF7Guy_imp]

Thank you flynrider and DAC for the information.

Let me ask you guys a stupid question. Its been so long since I have had anything with a chain I am in left field. Back in the old days we would just take a link or two out of the chains and put them back in and go on. Of course we didnt have enough money back then to buy lunch at a Krystal burger store. My sprockets look ok or at least I think they do. The back tire is as far back as it will go and the chain is in spec for now. Can I take a link or two out? Its the OEM chain.

I am kinda floored this thing needs replacing so early. I bought this 750 3rd hand with 7K miles. Guy I bought it from only put about 2K miles on it and he was my age but did say he short tripped it a lot. The original owner was about 30 he said. Anyway, the back tire was replaced well before that but when I got it it looked like it may have had 1K miles put on it. I suspected that this thing may have been ridden really hard because of that but took a chance because of the low mileage of 7K thinking it could not be hurt. I have put 4500 miles on it so far and I swear on a stack of bibles I have not hot rodded it. Ok, may just a few times but still. This is terrible chain life imo. I have also lubed it every 500 miles give or take. It still has some life left in it but I am going to have to do something sooner or later but I knew that when I bought it. I was hoping to get 20K out of the chain and sprockets but that is not going to happen.

 

[Randy B]

Keep in mind that these are O-Ring chains and the rubber does wear out and that will be part of the stretch you are getting. And for me, personally, replace the sprockets with the chain. It's like replacing only one gear in a differential because it is the only one with broken teeth. The chain and sprockets wear in together and putting a new chain on old sprockets is only going to shorten the life of the new chain.