How to change the Front Sprocket +1

[qnoisx]

First thing I did was clean my chain. To make it a bit easier I decided to remove the chain guard, not really necessary. I also removed the foot peg/shifter assembly, mostly so I could get to the front bolt of the chain guard. You could skip these steps if you want. I used a swingarm lift for this operation.

1. Remove the sprocket cover.
2. Remove the large bolt/washer holding the sprocket. It requires a 30mm socket, so make sure you have that ahead of time. You also might need to heat up the nut to loosen up the loctite. I used a breaker bar. You'll need to use the rear brake to keep the nut from turning or wedge the rear tire.
3. Loosen the adjustment bolt and slide the rear tire forward enough to create some slack in the chain.
4. Remove the chain guide. Part of the clutch is in front of it, move that out of the way.
5. Take the chain off the front sprocket and pull the sprocket off the drive shaft.

The new sprocket is 17 teeth and made by Driven.
6. Determine which side has the raised lip (mine also had a sticker) and make sure that side of the sprocket is facing inward when you put it on.
7. Screw in the nut/washer to slide the sprocket onto the drive shaft instead of hammering it in.
8. Unscrew the nut, apply loctite, then screw it back in.
9. Rap the chain around the new sprocket. It's best if you remove the chain from the rear sprocket.
10. Get the chain started on the rear sprocket and then just spin the wheel, it should slip into place.
11. Reassembly everything else, make sure the chain guide is centered correctly.
12. Check the chain slack and adjust as need be, it should be a notch or so forward from stock.

I would suggest testing the new sprocket a few times while it's still on the lift. First by spinning the tire by hand a bit. Then by letting it slowly spin by itself in 1st. If it's all good, lube the chain well and take it for a test ride.

 

[qnoisx]

Oh and here's the finished product along with a checklist.

 

[Roaddawg]

For those looking to do this mod, here's a previous thread also that shows another way to do this, which I found to be a bit easier:
http://www.600cc.org/forum/f89/1-up-front-great-19157/index3.html

And, like you said, you removed a lot of stuff that didn't need to be removed. Enjoy the new mod...I like mine!

 

[qnoisx]

Looks like the main difference between that way and mine is he left the chain guide in place and used a mallet on the chain to push it into place. I put the chain on and pushed the chain guide into place with my hand. It was just 2 bolts and I didn't have to hammer on the chain. Not sure how he got the chain guard off without removing the foot peg and shifter assembly. I guess he used an elbow joint on his socket wrench. I couldn't find one. He still pulled off the shifter linkage, so same difference.

Didn't see his version before I made mine. Either way works fine, but his diagram is pretty nice. My pictures aren't the best, using a camera phone for shots and it doesn't have a flash. Maybe I'll borrow my sister's camera if I document any other mods.

I haven't had a chance to test it out, it's been raining.

 

[Roaddawg]

Looks like the main difference between that way and mine is he left the chain guide in place and used a mallet on the chain to push it into place. I put the chain on and pushed the chain guide into place with my hand. It was just 2 bolts and I didn't have to hammer on the chain. Not sure how he got the chain guard off without removing the foot peg and shifter assembly. I guess he used an elbow joint on his socket wrench. I couldn't find one. He still pulled off the shifter linkage, so same difference.

Didn't see his version before I made mine. Either way works fine, but his diagram is pretty nice. My pictures aren't the best, using a camera phone for shots and it doesn't have a flash. Maybe I'll borrow my sister's camera if I document any other mods.

I haven't had a chance to test it out, it's been raining.

I installed mine the exact way as Pizz, but with Spunky's additional recommendations. We didn't remove the chain guard and I didn't need to use a mallet.

All in all, working on your own bike, you learned some things and increase your knowledge and know-how, which makes it rewarding.

 

[bleedinblue]

First thing I did was clean my chain. To make it a bit easier I decided to remove the chain guard, not really necessary. I also removed the foot peg/shifter assembly, mostly so I could get to the front bolt of the chain guard. You could skip these steps if you want. I used a swingarm lift for this operation.

1. Remove the sprocket cover.
2. Remove the large bolt/washer holding the sprocket. It requires a 30mm socket, so make sure you have that ahead of time. You also might need to heat up the nut to loosen up the loctite. I used a breaker bar. You'll need to use the rear brake to keep the nut from turning or wedge the rear tire.
3. Loosen the adjustment bolt and slide the rear tire forward enough to create some slack in the chain.
4. Remove the chain guide. Part of the clutch is in front of it, move that out of the way.
5. Take the chain off the front sprocket and pull the sprocket off the drive shaft.

The new sprocket is 17 teeth and made by Driven.
6. Determine which side has the raised lip (mine also had a sticker) and make sure that side of the sprocket is facing inward when you put it on.
7. Screw in the nut/washer to slide the sprocket onto the drive shaft instead of hammering it in.
8. Unscrew the nut, apply loctite, then screw it back in.
9. Rap the chain around the new sprocket. It's best if you remove the chain from the rear sprocket.
10. Get the chain started on the rear sprocket and then just spin the wheel, it should slip into place.
11. Reassembly everything else, make sure the chain guide is centered correctly.
12. Check the chain slack and adjust as need be, it should be a notch or so forward from stock.

I would suggest testing the new sprocket a few times while it's still on the lift. First by spinning the tire by hand a bit. Then by letting it slowly spin by itself in 1st. If it's all good, lube the chain well and take it for a test ride.

Bump for someone else

 

[dart1963]

Sproket Nut and Washer part numbers

Adding as you should never re-use them:

"You can order them from Bike Bandit. The nut is part number 2751652 and runs $8.98 and you'll want to replace the washer behind it too. Part number 1267558, $3.62. "

Thank to JonKerr for finding these part numbers!