New Chain & Sprocket, Versys 650 Pt.1 'DISASTER'

[@ConorBradleyUK]

After watching a million 'look how easy it is to change your chain videos' finally someone actually puts out an honest account of the troubles you can expect to run into! always thought that most sprocket adjusters were a crap bit of design really. Hope you get this one sorted!

[@AndyManCam]

+Conor Bradley I think all my videos start out with an easy demonstration in mind. Then real life takes over and the drama unfolds before your very eyes! I agree with you on the chain adjusters. They're always a terrible and poorly executed part of every bike! Except for the Zephyr 750! That has an off centre cam arrangement and it's a pleasure to use! Probably costs too much for the manufacturers to keep using it though. Money grabbing buggers!

[@AmericanMadeAdventures]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I enjoyed it while educating myself on changing my sprockets and chain on my Versys.

[@AndyManCam]

My pleasure! Thanks for sharing the rollercoaster ride!!

[@RidingTusCanY]

Great editing! you kept the thrill up till the end... now I go to watch how you solved it ;)

[@AndyManCam]

Thanks! Nothing like a good cliffhanger! And here i thought everything was going to work without any problems!

[@krakenverscadilacs8857]

Thanks for your all these videos I have the same motorcycle and I did not know much at the beginning today I know almost everything about it thanks to your channel

[@slipknot2985]

Hey Andy I just knew that bolt was going to break after you saying that what a nightmare and damn you sir for still having a tidy garage I was watching with the wife and she was having a go at me about the state of my garage and saying how nice yours is hehe

[@AndyManCam]

+Gabriel Scott Hahahahaha! It's not tidy any more mate! In fact the drill is still on the floor from doing this job a month ago!! :D Tell her it's all for TV and the mess is always behind me!

[@grosbeakmc]

Thanks for the video, Andy. My understanding is that when you are torquing fasteners you should do so in a cross pattern (as you did) and also increase the torque incrementally in thirds (as you didn't). In this case it would be 20 Nm across the pattern, then 40, then 60. So sorry to see that bolt snap - ouch!

[@AndyManCam]

Exactly! Keeping it even prevents warping the piece being tightened on. It happens to us all!!

[@madwilly100]

o dear I'm glad you gave me the heads up .one thinks i mite take mine out and grease them up .....one mans disaster is another mans joy ....good luck with it

[@AndyManCam]

+Mad Willy Yes! Do it! Do it NOW! It's been a month and I'm already thinking I want to put MORE grease on them!!

[@SkeggyCruiser]

Bad luck Andy! and it was all going so well, hope it's easily sorted bro, I'll catch it in part 2, RSM8.

[@AndyManCam]

I think 'Bad Luck' in this case = poor maintenance! Only one to blame is me for not checking sooner. NEVER assume the previous owner has done anything right!

[@womble3182]

Was guessing the disaster was not removing the front sprocket, then realised i was thinking far too much! A lighter to heat it up WTF! How did you stay so calm!!!! Great series! Just one last thing I assume the front sprocket is 520 pitch especially when the rear was steel assumed it would be 530 at least! Keep up the good work AMC!

[@AndyManCam]

+Womble ! Hahaha! The lighter was the hottest thing I had! Luckily I have had a long and illustrious history of cocking stuff up and having to fix it! Hence the 'calm'! Surprisingly the Versys is only a 520. Even the Fazer was a 530. But then that had 95 bhp against the verysysysysys's rather lilty 64 bhp!

[@peteconklin6781]

Great commentary! Thanks for the video. I could be wrong but, doesn't heating up the bolt expand it and make it more difficult to remove. I would think cooling it with compressed air or ice would help. In this case, it looked as if it was cross threaded so it wouldn't make a difference either way....juss sayin'.

[@AndyManCam]

+- Conklin - Cheers mate. I think the main goal is to make the metals expand differently and shock them into breaking the corrosion holding them together. Of course you're right that heating the steel bolt would have likely just made it tighter. Better to have great the alu swingarm instead. The adjuster wasn't crossthreaded. It worked fine for the last time i adjusted the chain. It looks crooked because the bolts point inwards towards the adjusting blocks on the axle. An angle that i struggled to replicated with the space available.

[@Killchain44]

No space blanket! :( I have a Versys also, so this was interesting to watch. Best of luck in part two! Looking forward to it.

[@AndyManCam]

Thanks BRY! Yeah, afraid the space blanket was shelved. At least until the grass grows in the garage... Happy the video was interesting. I read in the forums of a few guys having this exact problem. 'Wonderful' that it actually happened to me! ;)

[@Killchain44]

+Andy Man Cam A learning opportunity for sure. Did I miss you explaining in the video why you are going from a 46 to a 43 tooth sprocket? What pros/cons?

[@AndyManCam]

+BigRedYeti Absolutely! I learned that if you read something like that, you should act on it immediately! The gearing change is to stretch out the gears a bit. Acceleration is decreased, but her legs are longer so hopefully I wont keep looking for 7th gear. There's also a pretty angry buzz around 120 km/h which I'm hoping will have moved further up to about 150 km/h, where I don't often go!!

[@W3TFART]

I like your personalised number plate Andy 👍👍

[@AndyManCam]

+W3TFART Germany is so relaxed and progressive that we can have emoji-based number plates. Supergeil!

[@Bud_51]

What you missed is that when the sprocket wears out it stretches the chain. the gap between the teeth gets larger and the chain has to match the sprocket. Both sprockets and chain should always be replace as a group...Always use a steel sprocket or a alloy sprocket with a steel outside ring that has the teeth...

[@metalheadvlogs]

I hate it when that happens, a nice simple job turns into a nightmare - or as is usual in my case, there is always a few spare nuts and bolts left over :-P

[@AndyManCam]

I know! It was going to be 90 minutes tops. Ended up nearer 5 hours! I'll be painting the rear end in copperslip grease when i change the back tyre! Having said that, I'm about to fit a scottoiler. That'll keep EVERYTHING oiled!!!

[@RevvedUpBiker]

+metalhead18241 I know what you mean. Where do those extra bolts come from!!! I seem to have collected up a few spare fairing bolts and I don't know where they're from. Every one is accounted for on the panels.... It confuses me.

[@AndyManCam]

What it means is that you made your bike lighter and more efficient! Unless the fairing falls off on the motorway...

[@metalheadvlogs]

Then it is even more lighter :-P

[@AndyManCam]

+metalhead18241 VERY very true!!

[@IchibanMoto]

1001 uses for electrical grade assembly tape ! (extracting a broken bolt might make it 1002)

[@AndyManCam]

+Ichiban Moto Score! I found a new one! Nowhere near the multitude of uses for standard assembly tape on your Badass Honda. I'm hoping Santa might finally bring me a roll of Kevlar Assembly tape. I could fix broken bones with that shizz!

[@RevvedUpBiker]

I guess you're drilling it out..... :/ Might have been best to use a blow torch on that nut from the start. Not sure if you might need to have the hole re-threaded. Hope you get it sorted.

[@RevvedUpBiker]

p.s. Blame the chainsaw dude!!!

[@AndyManCam]

You know the drill! I do blame the chainsaw. Very inconsiderate and terribly distracting! Blowtorch is on my list for Santa!

[@RevvedUpBiker]

I wouldn't drill it out with a huge drill bit, I'd use one half the size of the hole. You can then weaken and squidge out the remnants of the bolts thread with a fine pick. It's like dental surgery. lol Not in need of a filling?.. hahaha... [drill drill]. :D

[@AndyManCam]

+RevvedUpBiker You'll see in the next vid that I did indeed use a tiny drill bit. What I did next kind of messed up the following stages though!! ;D

[@RevvedUpBiker]

Andy Man Cam Oh dear...I don't like the sound of that. Cringing at the thought of what's to come.

[@greggbrassett6989]

Alright there? My sincere apologies, I only started watching you last week, but I’m just past where Ian dropped his bike on the Stelvio pass in your chronology thing, so I’m not doing bad. Thought I’d comment on this video today tho, because I’ve been doing my chain and sprockets today, and it wasn’t all plain sailing for me either. One of my sprocket nuts won’t budge. I mean it’s like it’s welded itself to the sprocket. Even a stripped bolt remover tool set just ground the nut down to a smooth round surface. Too dark to finish now, so I’ll have to spend Christmas Day trying again. It was supposed to be an early Christmas present for my bike to say thank you for being my ever faithful steed, but fingers crossed it will be an actual Christmas present instead. Anyway, merry Christmas Andy. P.s I used to live in Cambridgeshire so nice to see some of those roads in your videos.

[@AndyManCam]

Hi Gregg! Welcome aboard! I sincerely hope you got that nut off eventually. As you can see, I feel your pain entirely! It's always the 'quick' jobs! ;D

[@greggbrassett6989]

@@AndyManCam thanks mate I’m thoroughly enjoying your videos, and your commentary is brilliant. I’m on your Croatia trip now. Yeah I got the nut off. I cut and ground it down to almost nothing and managed to twist it off with some mole grips. I’ve got a Kawasaki zrx1200s with those round eccentric chain adjusters, so getting the wheel aligned properly again is always a process. Finally woke up at 5am Boxing Day and got it done by half 6 in time to pick my daughter up.

[@AndyManCam]

Oh wow, thats dedication! Congratulations on the mechanical victory!!

[@greggbrassett6989]

@@AndyManCam thanks very much.

[@christianweller4288]

While a steel bolt threaded in to welded aluminium is really asking for it (nice one kawasaki), I have to say that I would have probably tried to extract it with a socket on an extension too keep it all nice and axial. The trick with the torx drive hammered in to the sheared off bolt is a new one on me. As my boss back in the dim and distant used to say "Oi , time served at Dewhersts was it?" Happy days... mind you back then you only had to wave a spanner at a Z650 and you'd be drilling out 30% of the bastards the metal was so poor.

[@AndyManCam]

You're right, a socket on an extension would have definitely kept everything a little more in line. Why didn't i think of that! Torx bit is one of the many tricks I've learned from my dad over the years. 85% of the time, it works ALL the time! The least kawasaki could have done is give us a fighting chance by using stainless steel. My dad affectionately refers to the stuff used on old Japanese bikes as 'monkey metal'. I once polished the engine cover of my '99 ER5 to find actual swirls in the metal, hidden by Orange peel paintwork! Mind you, i snapped off and replaced pretty much every bolt on my old Fiat Stilo, but let's not start with Italian reliability!

[@smokeybarr]

I was only thinking the other day to message you and ask when the next AMC garage vid was on the way. I so want a garage!

[@AndyManCam]

+smokeybarr Ner ner ner ner! Beat you to it! :D I bloody LOVE having a garage. Sadly I might have to give it up as we want to move. Sad face.

[@smokeybarr]

+Andy Man Cam - You guys staying in the H'burg I presume? Mrs smokey and I are hopefully going to get the ball rolling down the long and arduous hill of house buying in the new year. This of course is exciting, if only to have our own space again, but means I will have zero disposable income, forever :( Though a prerequisite will be either a garage or a shed big enough for the bike.

[@LambChopRides]

Oh no nightmare :( the faithful drill to the rescue hehe

[@AndyManCam]

+Lamb Chop Rides The faithful Argos drill no less! £9 well spent (8 years ago!!)

[@ryoder]

Hmm...so Andy has the same bike, and the same workstand, and did the same 46->43 sprocket change. I feel almost like I'm watching myself, (except for the UK accent). I did the sprocket change after putting my cycling GPS on the bike, and calculating that a 43 would make the speedo accurate. It still baffles me how Kawasaki can make the odometer dead-on accurate, but can't do the same for the speedo. Of course, after the change, my odometer now runs too slow.

[@AndyManCam]

Great minds Robert, great minds! I think the speedo is under for potential liability issues but the ODO has to be accurate for milage records and log book fraud. Probably wrong though! I'm loving the new gearing though and she's still got plenty of poke!

[@AndyManCam]

Great minds Robert, great minds! I think the speedo is under for potential liability issues but the ODO has to be accurate for milage records and log book fraud. Probably wrong though! I'm loving the new gearing though and she's still got plenty of poke!

[@fibroboy1604]

Something similar happened me with the bleed nipple on my old cbr's calliper. Was not a good day.

[@AndyManCam]

+Fibroboy Nothing good can come of any situation with 'bleed' and 'nipple' in the same sentence!

[@fibroboy1604]

+Andy Man Cam unless you're of a certain kinky persuasion.

[@AndyManCam]

+Fibroboy Or an easily aroused marathon runner?

[@TheSwissMotard]

Whenever you say disaster I know I'm going to enjoy the video :p

[@AndyManCam]

Hahaha! You big sadist you! :P

[@TheSwissMotard]

It's your fault! You've set the standards and built up my expectations.

[@alexanderandren4723]

Oh how I know that feeling... Good job tho, not sure you could have done much different.

[@AndyManCam]

Thanks! I think maybe doing this 6 months ago might have been the only thing i could have done different! The power of 20/20 Hindsight eh?!

[@petea1663]

Ha I watched this in preparation for changing the changing and sprockets on my wife’s Versys, then went to the garage lo and behold the bloody adjuster was snapped in the swing arm on the right hand side.

[@AndyManCam]

Ouch! Sorry Peter. I hope you fixed it up.

[@scootyman2974]

Great video, very entertaining and nice to see you using a torque wrench. One thing that crossed my mind. When you sprayed chain lube onto the sprocket bolts, did it cross your mind that the brake disc was right underneath? Worried me a little that and reading through the comments thread I see that you survived so didn't cause a problem I guess on this occasion. Thought your reaction to the disaster was super cool also. I could have given you some new swear words to borrow. Keep up the good work with the videos Best regards

[@AndyManCam]

Thanks Scooty. Yeah I'm always wary of getting oil on the brakes. They're kind of important like that. I must have just been careful or seen no real danger of hitting them on this occasion. I was definitely running short on creative swearwords by the end of this little debacle!

[@filipkavcic664]

Hey andy! Im am coming towards my second service on my versys. Because the servise is so damn expensive do you recommend that i do my service alone? Im talking about oil, filter changes, all fluids, chains.... Beacause i still have an original service card with all the services done om my bike and I fear that will decrease the selling value of bike in future years.

[@AndyManCam]

+Filip Kavčič There's no getting away from the fact that servicing yourself will decrease resale value. The question is whether it'll reduce it more than the cost of the service or not? Hard to say. As for the act, it's not too difficult and is very satisfying when you've done it yourself! Plus I always feel closer to the machine when I'm the one who keeps it running!

[@thechilternturbo1185]

You need a breaker bar so you don't damage your rachet undoing the tough bolts.

[@AndyManCam]

You're preaching to the converted there dear fellow! Sadly it was a choice between 1/2 drive ratchet or a breaker. The bar is on the list for Santa along with a blow torch and a hydraulic bike lift. (Might be a little optimistic with the last one!)

[@shropshirelad9754]

A right pain in the d*** compared to my Triumph T595 Daytona, struuuuth. Wonderful upload though as always my good man.

[@AndyManCam]

Thank you dear boy! I think a single sided swingarm would be a happy compromise before i go full shaft (oo-er)

[@shropshirelad9754]

+Andy Man Cam Oooer indeed haha

[@chrisalioto8552]

Did you take off your chain guide? I have a '12 Versys650 and it seems to be dragging on the chain?

[@AndyManCam]

I have a hugger which has the chain guard built in. Something it wrong if yours is touching the chain. Do you have standard sprocket sizes? Is the rear wheel properly aligned?

[@chrisalioto8552]

Andy Man Cam I meant the chain guide on the swing arm. I tightened my chain and it makes a rubbing noise, it's aligned properly just not sure what's rubbing. I have a crash bar so the front sprocket isn't readily accessible but it's my next step.

[@bikersquest]

Argh I've been in a similar scenario with a stripped sump plug (cheapo ebay torque wrench) so I know that disappointing feeling, Nice fix though, did you manage to get the swarf out somehow? I have a left hand drill bit in case something similar happens in the future but that probably wouldn't have helped in this case as it was so stuck.

[@AndyManCam]

+Bikers Quest I've been lucky so far with Sump plugs. Ironic as that's the one I fear the most! I just left the swarf in the swing arm. Most of it came out and I don't think it can do any harm anyway. I think the ONLY thing that would have helped would have been greasing the adjuster bolts 6 months previous! It's my own fault and I paid the price. Luckily it turned out mostly alright in the end!

[@bikersquest]

Looks fine imo, but I'm one of those who believes bikes are fine to look rough, it shows they have a history (I like streetfighters) :)

[@salva33033]

hi i don't know how to used a rach you say 44 pound or something like that

[@AndyManCam]

+manuel galo Hi Manuel. It's a torque wrench. To tighten the nut/bolt to the correct amount. In this case, 44 ft/lbs.

[@filipkavcic664]

where did you get those highway footpegs?

[@AndyManCam]

I don't have highway pegs! Just the ones that came out of the factory. :D

[@filipkavcic664]

then what are those "objects" in front of pegs? they do look like highway pegs lol xD

[@AndyManCam]

AHA!! Now I know what you mean. Those are crash bungs. Which ironically didn't even touch the ground when I crashed!! I'd never even considered putting my feet on them! Might have to try that. Though I imagine they buzz like crazy as they're hard plastic!

[@edshmisl1268]

Never ever lube threads if they are not in an oily environment. This way you overstress the material. Torque equation has friction as a part, that you lower this way but not the pulling force, that is magnitudes higher when lubed.

[@AndyManCam]

Whole issue of having to drill the bolt out came about due to the threads seizing. Therefore oiling it was an obvious choice to avoid this happening again. You can’t use any kind of torque wrench on the adjuster bolts/nuts anyway, so the torquing is done by feel and therefore never really going to be a problem, as long as I didn’t heave them on with an extended spanner.

[@johnnygross4415]

whats the the stock front teeth count?

[@AndyManCam]

I'm afraid I can't rememeber. I'm sure a quick google search will reveal all.

[@sullybiker6520]

Oh my God, I knew that bolt was going to snap, I am so stressed out watching this.

[@AndyManCam]

+Sullybiker Ha HA Ha! I think we ALL knew it was going to happen, but we just really didn't want it to!! Sorry about the bood pressure!

[@CalmBiker]

Ouch! Came here via The Infamous Biker :-)

[@AndyManCam]

+CalmBiker Hello and welcome!! Praise be to TIB and his wonderful word spreading ways! Thanks mate. Hope to keep you interested.

[@NickMasseyRideon]

so I am watching this and at about 8 min I am thinking this looks like its going dandy, as soon as you cursed, I mean said that to your self about the bolt I think we all knew what was coming. ..ouch. did that on a head bolt on an engine block once. :/

[@AndyManCam]

+Nick Massey OUCH. Me too. long time ago changing the head gasket on my 850cc Mini! I was NOT quite so calm that time. My life was essentially over. We were charging headlong towards failure with that bolt. Sometimes all the positive mental attitude in the world can't help!

[@KarlTheDingbat]

Bugger, well done on the lack of expletives, I would have been using a lot more colourful language at that point.

[@AndyManCam]

+Karl the Dingbat Thanks! Trust me, there was a little more going on with the internal monologue! :D

[@phillipangell5131]

Think your having a bad day, can't find part 2 of the video!

[@AndyManCam]

I feel for you. Here's a link to help you through this difficult time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXjXnqNrpaZsa7c

[@bloodyhell451]

It was all goinf so well. Aaaarrrgh!

[@AndyManCam]

I know. Turns out happy thoughts weren't enough to get me through. Dammit!

[@AndyManCam]

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!! (Tear)

[@MaverickAus]

The hugger is not standard fitment, therefore your comment about allen head and regular bolts is invalid

[@AndyManCam]

But the chain guard is standard fitment and uses the she bolts in the same holes, doesn't it?

[@pieplicht]

What a funny way to censor your license plate. Shame that that bolt broke off. It looked like you nearly had it

[@AndyManCam]

It started as a couple of tank bag magnets and a piece of paper. Then the child in me took over! I really thought i did have it, i was being SO gentle too!

[@pieplicht]

Meanwhile my rebel is leaking oil and I don't have a garage to work inside. I have temporarily suspended the license to save in tax and assurance costs

[@AndyManCam]

+Pieplicht That's annoying. Sorry to hear it mate. Though I'm not using mine nearly as much as I want to either!! Plus I might not have the garage for too much longer!! :((

[@wyvernbiker]

Oh no :o(. That's my fear when doing stuff myself that something like this happens.

[@AndyManCam]

+wyvernbiker It's always my fear too! And it's happened enough times to justofy the fear! Luckily it's always turned out alright....in the end!

[@addictedtopiano]

Boy am I happy to just worry about my bicycle.

[@AndyManCam]

Oh i miss the simple days of my mountain bike. The most complicated thing i ever had to do was replacing the bottom bracket! I envy you!

[@stoneblue1795]

Not sure what you did previous to this to cause that adjustment bolt to be upset. I pull those, clean the threads, lube or REPLACE THEM and the adjustment nuts when I service tires..... so "that" which you depict will never hopefully occur. Change the bolts out for STAINLESS equivalent and stainless nuts. What ever alignment drama caused your chain to wear funny I think also boogered or bent your adjuster.

[@AndyManCam]

My chain didn‘t wear funny. It was just old. I also didn’t do anything to cause the adjusters to seize. I had bought the bike only a year before. So the Problem was already present. By starting your preaching with ‚i don’t know... but‘ gives you ZERO justification to stamp your self righteous boots about the place. Maybe get some context and history before you upset someone by telling them that everything is their own fault.

[@mattpierceplayz]

Well that is upsetting

[@AndyManCam]

+MiniBike Matt VERY much so!

[@chrismcclintock3530]

Fantastic/hilarious video. Please wash your bike.

[@AndyManCam]

Haha! Thanks. Consider it done!

[@mickles1975]

I'm pretty sure your number plate's illegal, mate.

[@AndyManCam]

Dunno what you're talking about. The smiley face is the right size. All features clearly visible. Big bold eyes, legally spaced. Totally above the line mate. Kosher as Christmas.

[@miodrag1]

dont use petrol for cleaning the chain...better use diesel

[@AndyManCam]

Im already with you there. I thought I'd said that somewhere, but maybe it ended up on the cutting room floor! Even the kawasaki manual says diesel is best. If only I'd looked right under my nose to start with!

[@daaknait]

Oh bollocks!

[@phnx4life]

Wanted to hear.."bloody hell"..or.."fckin' bollocks that is"...lol. Come on mate!!

[@AndyManCam]

Keep on wishing mate. One day....

[@ninjanelly3506]

Aaah.....that's a bitch Andy👎 Bit late now but I would of wound it in when it started to move to take the wd40 into the thread.The bolt could of been a bit beefier to start with.Heat is your friend as you know even if it takes 2 or 3 cycles of heat and cooling and wd40ing.I take it you drilled it out? Was the thread salvageable? As ever you want to crack on and finish something but sometimes it's best to walk away and have a coffee.......Never mind, hope it's sorted now mate👍🏻😎

[@AndyManCam]

Yeah. It was a bit of a biatch! My first thought was "why a scrawny little M8 bolt?!" I did a fair bit of back and forth but to be honest i think it was a foregone conclusion before i started! I was just kidding myself! I won't reveal the outcome, except via the medium of this here playlist that might have the answers you seek... NEW Chain And Sprockets: kzbin.info/aero/PLQyyGnBe8LffKP_va7lbT-M1Ym5yXI8Ie

[@cristianrobles21]

Yo estoy =

[@cristianrobles21]

Había visto este video para cambio de cadena 😅

[@AndyManCam]

👍🏻

[@lifespanofafry1534]

Mmmmmmmmmm........ 😐

[@AndyManCam]

Mmm-hmmm...

[@michalmyszkin6839]

You talk too much! ;-p

[@AndyManCam]

Yep. It would be rubbish vlogging without a bit of talking!