New chain and sprockets

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by OneSickPsycho

Depends on the tool. Hand tools, for the most part I'd avoid HF stuff and get something decent like Craftsman... Bigger items, like jacks and shit like that... HF all the way.

if I'm crawling under a car or something I want the jack to work... something about the possibility of having a car land on me makes me cautious

[Homeslice]

Sprockets are friggin cheap anyway, I don't know why anyone wouldn't replace them. Typically $20-25 for the front, $60 for the rear. Plus they are selling them as a kit with the chain more often these days, for under $200.

[Kerry_129]

Very valid point on the diminishing rate of return the more you spend - the continued tool analogy is a good one, and maybe that $80 RK is the 'Craftsman' chain.

I can also see a 2-1 front/rear swap being fine, especially if you're not running the chain to the ragged edge (I don't either, and generally swap it once I start to see any kinking). Not like a little faster (maybe negligible) rate-of-wear is going to be a catastrophe, especially on a small/lightly-ridden street bike. I guess my mindset is just that since there's always SOME wear, it should be changed always (and I've read/heard that point several times, I think mostly from chain/sprocket mfgs - go figure ).
I did know a guy years ago who went down pretty hard due to a nearly-new snapped chain, though I wasn't with him at the time - supposedly it wasn't at the master-link & the pin just shattered. Never had a problem with one myself - but I do consider it a 'critical component' since a failure could potentially hurt/kill you & probably would give zero warning & why I advised to be a bit paranoid of the least-expensive ones out there.

Lon - I'm not so fond of 'arguing', but I like a good discussion/debate too as long as they stay friendly. Sorry if I sometimes come off as arrogant or know-it-all in expressing my opinions in writing, I don't mean to & I don't think that my opinions/views are the only 'right' ones (hardly!).

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Kerry_129

Very valid point on the diminishing rate of return the more you spend - the continued tool analogy is a good one, and maybe that $80 RK is the 'Craftsman' chain.

I can also see a 2-1 front/rear swap being fine, especially if you're not running the chain to the ragged edge (I don't either, and generally swap it once I start to see any kinking). Not like a little faster (maybe negligible) rate-of-wear is going to be a catastrophe, especially on a small/lightly-ridden street bike. I guess my mindset is just that since there's always SOME wear, it should be changed always (and I've read/heard that point several times, I think mostly from chain/sprocket mfgs - go figure ).
I did know a guy years ago who went down pretty hard due to a nearly-new snapped chain, though I wasn't with him at the time - supposedly it wasn't at the master-link & the pin just shattered. Never had a problem with one myself - but I do consider it a 'critical component' since a failure could potentially hurt/kill you & probably would give zero warning & why I advised to be a bit paranoid of the least-expensive ones out there.

Lon - I'm not so fond of 'arguing', but I like a good discussion/debate too as long as they stay friendly. Sorry if I sometimes come off as arrogant or know-it-all in expressing my opinions in writing, I don't mean to & I don't think that my opinions/views are the only 'right' ones (hardly!).

No fair!!!!! But you're an engineer, I LOVE debating with engineers!!! I'm not suggesting that he doesn't swap it, I only gave that as an option because it can be a fucking pain to get the old one off!!! Again, I've heard stories of chains breaking for no reason-btw was it a name brand chain? hee,hee, I just find it far fetched. Improbable not impossible imho. My biggest problem has always been the "no warning" aspect of these situations. I've had lots of dealings with chain in industrial applications and without fail they have always shown signs of wear before they've broken. This out of no where scenario is hard for me to swallow. I mean how far did they let the thing stretch? Were there kinks? Was the chain properly adjusted? Aligned? I agree that it's a critical component BUT I also know that it is something that is highly quality controlled for that very reason. At least as much as brake pads or tires. NOBODY wants that lawsuit or reputation!!! A couple guys go down due to failures and it would be over for almost any chain manufacturer these days.

[Dave]

Hey you mugs bettered get off topic pronto. You're dangerously close to five pages of motorcycle content

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by Dave

Hey you mugs bettered get off topic pronto. You're dangerously close to five pages of motorcycle content

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgl9mUB9H4Q

[Homeslice]

I don't think I've ever had a chain stretch out. Mine start getting stiff when they go bad, which is a sign that the internal grease is gone. Applying external lube won't fix that.

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by Dave

Hey you mugs bettered get off topic pronto. You're dangerously close to five pages of motorcycle content

Five pages? You need to get more posts/page! I'm only on page 2.

Originally Posted by Homeslice

I don't think I've never had a chain stretch out. Mine start getting stiff when they go bad, which is a sign that the internal grease is gone. Applying external lube won't fix that.

Uh yeah.... The chain that is currently on there got tightened to spec, ridden 3 days, tightened to spec cause it was loose, ridden a weekend, tightened again, and then parked... I don't think it should stretch that quick, so pretty sure it's done.

[No Worries]

I remember reading that many riders don't lube their chain correctly. They lube the outside roller instead of the inner side plates.

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by No Worries

I remember reading that many riders don't lube their chain correctly. They lube the outside roller instead of the inner side plates.

Those that do it at all...