New Drive Train - Break/Replace Your Chain, Set Slack, And Install Sprockets On A Honda CRF450L

[@ericrusch8258]

I watch too many John T videos and can’t stop. Thanks for feeding this NFGs addiction.

[@JohnTYoung]

Theres no such thing as too many.....

[@owenlushadv]

Thanks for another really informal vid! For a guy like me that has had next to no mechanical experience, and not really mechanically minded, you've definitely made it easy to work on my 450L! and inspired the confidence to do so!

[@JohnTYoung]

Ya! Get in there and wrench on stuff! What’s the worst that could happen?

[@leftystrat62]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It helps instill confidence for those of us on the fence weather we should try this ourselves. cheers

[@JohnTYoung]

You are very welcome! What's the worst that could happen.

[@bobsmyth6706]

Really good video, thanks for the thorough and relaxed pace. Cheers

[@JohnTYoung]

By relaxed pace you mean "took forever to get to the point"? LOL.

[@olliechristopher467]

Hi there John, I change the front as they hook and then the front sprocket and chain 2nd time around. I run Ironman rear sprockets and have yet to have one wear out. If you go with TM sliders and blocks they are also long life.

[@JohnTYoung]

I'll give them a try next. I wanted to use the TM sliders (and blocks now) but darned if I could find them when I ordered this stuff. Again, next time around I'll but sure to switch. Thanks for the advice.

[@DadsDomain]

Yes a chain video! You weren't kidding were you?! 😂 My brother in law is putting on a new setup this winter as well and my chain is getting pretty stretched so I might be right there with him. I think I'm going to stick with stock gearing for now though.

[@JohnTYoung]

The stock gearing works great. The only reason I changed it was because my bike has put on significant weight over the last two years. The 52T was perfect. The 53 is a bit much. And the stock chain really is garbage. Thanks for watching my put a new chain on my bike!

[@DadsDomain]

@@JohnTYoung Hey it’s always my pleasure. Supersprox is what I had on my old 06 450R and I loved it. I will be using it again.

[@yu-weiyang7951]

Thank You for the detail information and also safety reminder at the end, which some time I do forget.

[@JohnTYoung]

Don't we all? 😬

[@gumbysenduro6546]

Awesome, well laid step by step vid , cant really fault it you covered it all, cheers from the land down under :)

[@JohnTYoung]

Thank you so much!

[@carni6319]

You are one of the very few KZbinrs that can put out an hour long video and keep my complete attention. That my friend is very impressive. Would you please buy a DR650 and go through the entire bike on video? Thanks John

[@JohnTYoung]

Thank you so much. I can't even keep my own attention more than 30 seconds squirrel!

[@evanmacleod3330]

Another fantastically helpful vid! Thanks for uploading!

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@johnpagejr.7628]

Thank you John that was very helpful. I am in the process of changing two chains one on a Honda NC700X with 16 thousand miles on it and a Suzuki DRZ400S with about 5 thousand on it. The Suzuki I just bought used. Being also a bicycle mechanic you can check a 520 chain buy measuring from one pin center to the 21 pin center and it should be exactly 12" if it is longer than that the chain is stretched. also if the chain can be pushed sideways till it hits the tire it also may be stretched and should be replace. all though this second method of checking the chain may not be accurate if you are running and oversized tire. Thanks again the part about the rollers and chain guide was a little bit cloudy as to replacement and how to check wheel and chain alignment was also helpful.

[@JohnTYoung]

I'm glad you got something out of it, and thanks for the 21 pin 12" check. I did not know that.

[@johnpagejr.7628]

@@JohnTYoung on that subject I have to say I was a little bit amiss about the measurement if it meets or exceeds 12.6"or 319 mm it is considered stretched out and should be replaced. I got this info out of my Clymer manual for my DRZ400S. For bicycle Chains it is 12".

[@MrCrs911]

Great video, I greatly appreciate the specifics for the 450L.

[@JohnTYoung]

Thank you!

[@jimsnider3971]

Great video!!! Looking forward to watching all of them now!!

[@JohnTYoung]

Glad you like them!

[@craigrt]

Great video John. Giving me inspiration and confidence to get my hands dirty.

[@JohnTYoung]

Thank you Craig! Ya, go get dirty!

[@netmagi]

thx, just used this to see how to change the chain slider

[@JohnTYoung]

I’m here for you.

[@RomulusReemus]

Great vid. From my road biking days, can you not use the "outer" part of the chain brake tool to squeeze on the master link plate, as opposed to pliers/vise grips?

[@JohnTYoung]

If I'm reading you right.... the pin and the hole still line up with the pin.

[@dylanfromoz4681]

John, you are an absolute champion! As a CRF450L owner I love your vids. Finally took the plunge and got a 53 tooth rear sprocket. Chain guide causing issues due to bigger diameter sprocket. You mentioned this in your video. How did you solve it though? Or just let it chop a new path in the plastic? Once again, love your vids!!!

[@JohnTYoung]

I let it cut it's way down. If you do that keep a close eye on your slack! Thanks Dylan.

[@jsned2502]

Love the videos, and have ridden many of the passes in Colorado. I have the 450L and like the bike. What would take to make me love it is a real 6th gear. Somebody needs to figure out how to change out the 6th gear in the bike to a "true overdrive gear" The way the bike is stock it just sucks buzzing down the highway at barely over 50 with the bike just wringing its neck. I would like to be able to run a little over 60 at the same RPM the bike stock runs at about 52 -53. Sprocket can help but I still do a fair amount of single track and its already a little to tall stock for that. Keep the videos coming. Maybe get together next year for some riding.

[@JohnTYoung]

With a 52T rear sprocket, at 60 MPH, it's at6000 RPMs. I haven't had any problem with that at all. And it has tons of pull left for passing those slow pokes doing 59. If you can match the RPMS just a little you can rid of the resonance and it glides along like a Africa Twin. Thanks for the observations!

[@andrewhindle6116]

Another great video. I've often wondered how tight you pull the chain when measuring chain slack and you've answered that. I've got a tip for getting the side plate back on the chain link. Get a nut that fits over the pin and put it between the plate and your pliers and will allow the plate to seat way easy, still do one pin some and then the other of course. Another tip, smear a dab of siicone sealant over the link clip once on to help stop anything dislodging it while riding. Can you do another vid and rivet the link together? I'd like to see that. Keep up the good work and happy travels.

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks Andrew. And thanks for the tips! I could do another vid with the rivet links... can you wait another 10000 miles for this chain to wear out or should I just buy a master link?

[@andrewhindle6116]

@@JohnTYoung Considering that you put on miles exponentially quicker than me, I'll probably be still on the original chain when you do another so could wait until then....but if you want to do a vid earlier I wouldn't say no. Do you have a personal preference between clip and rivet link? I've not had issues with clip but have read that the rivet is stronger, but is it harder to put on?

[@JohnTYoung]

@@andrewhindle6116 rivets are generally stronger and less likely to come off. Clips take no special tools to install. So..... I'll see if I can find the budget for a link and rivet tool, just for you. But it's winter so I ay have to shovel the bike out to do it. LOL

[@andrewhindle6116]

@@JohnTYoung Cool, in more ways than one I guess. Don't have that issue here in Aussie land LOL but I have managed to go riding in snow. Look forward to seeing snow vid and rivet one LOL.

[@scottmiller4516]

Thanks John, your like the shop teacher here. I always added a very small dab of silicone adhesive to the outside master link retaining clip as insurance. Shake your head if you know what I mean. :)

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks! That's an idea. I think I'd scrub it off when I'd go to clean my chain though.

[@67mooncat]

Very informative tutorial...many thanks.

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks for watching!

[@elvispusley3515]

Nicely done. What tires are you running specifically the rear? I am waiting on my AIM ECU, should be here tomorrow and it’s pouring here in WA. I’m doing a little maintenance. Thanks for all the vids on the RL

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks, Elvis. I usually run the Motoz RallZ on the back.

[@blixxy1320]

A Dremel also works really nice on those master links if you have one

[@JohnTYoung]

That's a great idea.

[@gershomberg5408]

Heading south next month and this was just the video I needed. 3,700+ miles on the new 450l since I bought in April and have run out of adjustment room. Not sure what rear sprocket to buy and curious if you noticed much difference with the new one you put on since you added a few teeth? I’ve been riding around the northwest and on the WA BDR, but going down to the Baja 1000 to do some scouting. Bike will be on my new “racknroll” I got from Australia last week hooked up to the back of the Subaru ascent, so testing that out as well. Timely video, thanks! P.s. you can tell your doing a good job because of how many ads keep popping up...

[@JohnTYoung]

Thank you. I'm glad it helped at least a little. The stock chain on my bike was shot when I changed it. I ran it a bit too long. I'm OK with the 53 tooth, tho the 52 was a little more what I was after, keeping in mind that a lot of times my bike is way overloaded. With no extra weight, the stock 51T was just fine. Those carriers are nice but weeeee $$$$$$$$!

[@user-iv4uw5rl3j]

Great videos. What chain lube, if any do you use?

[@JohnTYoung]

WD40, gear oil, diesel… just keep it clean.

[@traviswalker-restrepo]

Great video! Thank you

[@JohnTYoung]

You’re welcome

[@ralaurenzi]

Heard you mentioned you raced ?? MotoX or Enduro ?? I did 5 years of MotoX 70' to 75' when suspensions where only 3 - 31/2 " (ouch) . Can't wait to get a 450l ! From Rick ..... one of your Pikes Peak front range fans .

[@JohnTYoung]

I road raced in the mid-90s. WERA and AMA on the East Coast. Ancient history. SuperMoto was just starting back then.

[@EricBanner571]

If you change the front sprocket just as it starts to hook, the chain and rear sprocket will last twice as long providing that you clean and oil the chain on a regular basis.

[@JohnTYoung]

Well, I got a good 10,000 miles out of the chain and a rock did the rear sprocket in for me, but I see what you're sayin'.

[@ssmith954]

Very useful, many thanks! On these kind of high-mileage-usage enduro bikes, some users seem to favour changing the rear wheel for one with a cush hub, in order to reduce stress and wear on the countershaft/drivetrain. It's an expensive modification, so would be interested to know your thoughts on this -- is it something you've considered for your CRF?

[@JohnTYoung]

I have. There's a company in Australia (of course) that makes one. But I just got 10,000 miles out of a dirt bike drive train with 0 issues, so.....

[@ssmith954]

@@JohnTYoung thanks and yes, ultimately the real proof is in real-world use. I would suspect that the wear and tear inflicted by your kind of riding -- which like mine looks be be more slow-and-steady-adventuring rather than hardcore Baja antics -- plus the knobbies and dirt bias of your riding probably mean you're operating well within normal wear and tear.

[@grant31781]

I have that same chain breaker. I managed to chip the end of the pin off.

[@JohnTYoung]

Oops! Still works tho, right?

[@grant31781]

@@JohnTYoung It does. The pin was off just a tad from center and chipped the side.

[@billydenman2586]

Hi John I love your videos I have a 450l myself ☺️ great bike. I live in Australia and i am just wondering how much power and top speed you get out of yours? I feel like mine is governed and it revs out at about 120 kmh which I feel like isn't much, it bogs like a 2 stroke when you want the power and it's some what inconvenient at times. I have an FMF aftermarket exhaust and a vortex ecu but it's just not go happy you know. Thanks billy ☺️

[@JohnTYoung]

Thanks Billy. Without looking at the manual the rev limiter kicks in at about 10,000 rpm. Plenty for a single cylinder, but feels too soon if you’re used to a twin. Yes, the 450L tops out at about 90 MPH unless you start modifying it.

[@andrewnettleton5651]

Hi John Roughly how many km you getting before chaging front and rear chain sliders Great videos mate

[@JohnTYoung]

If you keep them clean and aren’t riding in the mud all the time … couple thousand.

[@derekrobertson9290]

I notice that you have Sealsavers on the front forks, I too have obtained a pair but find that the plastic fork guards rub on the top edge of the savers and will cause damage over a short time. How have you dealt with that issue, I am considering a heat gun to modify guards maybe. Cheers.

[@JohnTYoung]

Still fighting with them. I have yet to find an easy way to prevent the guard from running thru the seal savers. I guess I'll have to try the hard way.

[@codyscott7754]

Any idea if that chain will work on the stock sprocket? Wasn’t sure sense it had that rubber around it..

[@JohnTYoung]

The chain is a standard size as is the sprocket. The rubber just dampens the vibrations of the chain engaging the sprocket to quiet it down a bit.

[@codyscott7754]

@@JohnTYoung okay thanks man

[@ivan4299]

Hi John, have you considered one of those countershaft spacers (fasway for example) to avoid the chain rubbing on the case?. I am about to change the sprockets and chain and am a bit hesitant whether or not it is a good idea to put it.

[@JohnTYoung]

Nope. Once the little aluminum nub rubs off, no more rubbing. And the sprockets stay aligned. But it sounds like and interesting idea.

[@ivan4299]

Yeah, I read some people use it for the Crf's. In any case , thanks for your feedback and congrats for this nice youtube channel 👊✊

[@cartyross8603]

Hey John. My 450l has a bunch of what I call "John Mods" and I love riding this machine. How much difference did you see off road when you dropped to a 52 tooth sprocket?

[@cartyross8603]

Correction, went up to a 52 tooth

[@JohnTYoung]

In slow stuff, I thought it made a huge difference. On the street it runs a little high in the RPMs.

[@erreyth]

Have you heard about next installment of CRF450L 2021. Which is CRF450RL, have you taken a look at it? Here I'm hoping to order one in Sweden.

[@JohnTYoung]

The RL is almost identical to the L. DIfferent graphics (it's all red now) and a supposedly smoothed out throttle. Other than those two things it's the same bike. I do like the all red color scheme.

[@erreyth]

I'm afraid that some parts from crf450L won't fit, as the frame is somewhat narrower. If I'm not mistaken, clutch is hydraulic? I've only been able to gather little info about it from US magazines.

[@JohnTYoung]

@@erreyth I haven't heard or read any of that. Their website only lists the changes I mentioned above, plus hand guards.

[@craigrt]

Was it my imagination or did those state stickers come and go??

[@JohnTYoung]

I had to reshoot part of the video. Good eye!

[@noone3734]

I really want to know how it goes with the 53t sprocket.

[@JohnTYoung]

So far it's OK. It is definitely a bit much sometimes, but when the terrain gets tight and technical the extra torque comes in handy. However - If you're running a stock ECU or have not gotten used to the twitchy throttle the 53T sprocket will compound that problem.

[@Brightwoodphotos]

Just put on the new chain and I’m getting a Rubbing noise near the front sprocket. Do you think it’s that wear nub you were talking about?

[@JohnTYoung]

I would imagine, though of course, I can't know. The only way to be sure us to pull it off and check.

[@donniecollins3916]

The super Sprocket 53 tooth stealth did you order for an 450 X did you order it for an 450L model? Ty

[@JohnTYoung]

For the life of me I don't remember. I have yet to find an X part that won't fit the L, however.

[@waferzworld]

Does this type of master link hold up on the road? This is all I’ve ever used, never had one fall off. I thought I saw someone mention it falling off

[@JohnTYoung]

Mine fall off all the time.

[@waferzworld]

@@JohnTYoung I’ll go ahead and do the rivet method. I wonder why they fall off

[@waferzworld]

@@JohnTYoungTo be clear, are yours falling off on the road, or during off road riding? I just tried the rivet method and over crimped it… had to back it back out. I still have a regular link but don’t want to lose it on the road

[@JohnTYoung]

@@waferzworld I’m not 100% sure or when.

[@arunvichetroth9391]

why did yous use D.I.D instant of SuperSprox chain ?

[@JohnTYoung]

I got 10,000 plus miles out of the last one.

[@Chinsonrn]

Hey john. I just bought a 2021 450rl and my manual has chain slack set at 2 1/4 - 2 3/8 inch measured from the top of the swing arm. I wonder what has changed. Seems like a lot of slack in my chain at that tolerance.

[@JohnTYoung]

With the wheel off the ground?

[@Chinsonrn]

It does not specify. Picture shows bike with the kickstand down.

[@JimJones-gd2jy]

John = Dr. Crf 450 L Doctor . . Damn

[@JohnTYoung]

I'm not a real Doctor. I just play one on TV.

[@robertcrawford1024]

how is the rear wheel bearings?

[@JohnTYoung]

Just peachy. Looks and rolls like new.

[@JanEgeriis]

What is the problem with groves on chain slider and rollers as long as the sliders and rollers are not totally worn down (to the metal) ??

[@JohnTYoung]

How long until they do wear into your swingarm? Will you catch it before any damage is done? What's the cost of a slider compared to a swingarm? As long as you don't gouge furrows into your important bits, there is no problem. Good questions! Thank you.

[@JanEgeriis]

Thanks for the answer. Really quick. 👍 I'm not even finished watching the video. 😁

[@JanEgeriis]

I like your chain break. Nice that it only breaks. Simple tool. Thanks for this video and your channel. 👍

[@JohnTYoung]

@@JanEgeriis Thanks for watching Jan!

[@josephjoestar5444]

No locktite ?

[@JohnTYoung]

On what where? Everywhere? No.

[@josephjoestar5444]

@@JohnTYoung the rear sprocket bolts , I might’ve missed it

[@JohnTYoung]

@@josephjoestar5444 None on those. It's a bolt with a nut on the back.

[@6ixtymiles]

Alpha, Beta...... Zeta. Long A pronunciation. That's right, I'm a pronunciation bitch. LOL!!