Motorcycle Chain Replacement

[@BraaapoholicBob]

At the age of 59 1/2 and haing ridden pretty much my whole life, and with a new 2020 KTM 500 EXC-F coming soon, one of my moto related goals is to become more self-sufficient and mechanically versed when it comes to wrenching my own dirt bike. Thank you for your very informative videos that are helping me improve my mechanics skills! I seriously learn a lot from your "how-to's" and my confidence has grown becasue of them. Thank you thank you thank you!!!

[@euckilla]

49 7/8 here. lol I'm in the same boat as you though. Same bike and same mindset. Absolutely love the detail he goes in to and the care he takes with everything he does. Even bought a bunch of his tools to show my appreciation and inspire me to keep doing my own wrenching.

[@jsboening]

Thanks for the great video. Straight to the point and clearly spoken. You should make maintenance videos for KTM.

[@supergarball]

You're the tool master! I spent a 1/2 hour on youTube trying to find out how to press out my master link (so I could move my swing arm back to pull my shock out). Couldn't find anything. Thanks for the vid! Will be ordering a tools asap.

[@TokyoOffroad]

Motion Pro have a really handy chain tool for clip style master link chains. I have one and really like it: www.motionpro.com/product/08-0675

[@zzxx33mh]

The right tool make simple and easy with excellent picture and explanation. .big thank 4 vid..

[@nathanc5789]

I used vice grips to press on the chain, but this mechanism you're using looks a lot easier

[@mikepauley4043]

What is the brand of chain press you are using?

[@Colorado-Tinkering]

Chain press too? 😂. And here I’ve been using water pump pliers all these years to get the plate on before putting clip on. (Works just fine, BTW.).

[@TokyoOffroad]

My current favorite tool for pressing on and pressing off master links is the Motion Pro Master Link Press Tool. It has two pins in the tool making installation and removal quick and easy. Highly recommended: www.motionpro.com/product/08-0675

[@Colorado-Tinkering]

@@TokyoOffroad Didn’t know about that one. Ordered it ONLY to see if it’s better than my old water pump pliers. 😉

[@darrenlegallais1974]

How come you didn’t remove any links? You haven’t left yourself much adjustment on the blocks

[@TokyoOffroad]

I use 116 link chains (the stock length) which allows for use of 12, 13 & 14 front sprockets with a 50 rear sprocket. There's plenty of adjustment left in the blocks when using this chain and sprocket set up.

[@TN_HondaDad]

Can you press the plate on the chain w/o the tool? Can you compress with pliers w/o damaging? Very clear and nice video btw!!

[@TokyoOffroad]

Probably very difficult with pliers. I haven't tried though. I recommend getting a chain tool designed specifically for this. My favorite is the Motion Pro, Chain Master Link Press Tool: www.motionpro.com/product/08-0675

[@nass7070]

You keep yoour press tool in trail!?! If chain break in trail you take the wise grip!!!

[@jackdawson76]

do you prefer the 13/ 50 or 13/52? I am just about to swap out the factory set with some new ones. Just fitted keihin carb kit too. Same bike 250 2017 exc. looks to be similar tight single trail riding to a lot of your videos.

[@TokyoOffroad]

I use 12/50. It works well for the riding I do, but note that top speed is reduced quite a bit. For most steep hill climbs I use 2nd gear and if get stuck knock it down to 1st. For a long time I used 13/50 gearing, but prefer 12/50 on tight, steep technical terrain.

[@jackdawson76]

​@@TokyoOffroad That sounds pretty good! I will give it a try! Not that interested in top speed but I do not feel as though I am getting efficient use out of 2nd / 3rd. It may also just feel worse with the mikuni's 0-1/3 throttle range not being too good so I expect the keihin will help with that too. Thanks for your help

[@jackdawson76]

Forgot to ask if you had a preferred brand for durability for front / rear sprockets. Looks to be a lot of cheaper 'light alloy' or lighter compound steel components.

[@TokyoOffroad]

@@jackdawson76 I think you'll like 12/50 gearing. Give it a try. I always use KTM OEM front sprockets and Supersprox Stealth rear sprockets (last very well).

[@nickicruz3658]

Thanks a lot for this technical tip and info. This video is helpful...

[@massimobroccoli9854]

I' m jealous , 130 hours with the chain ! That rear sprocket is still in good shape ! Still the first masterlink too ? I do 80 hours with the chain but on 60 I must repleace the front sprocket & masterlink (sandy conditons) !

[@TokyoOffroad]

The areas I ride don't have much sand which probably explains why I get good life out of the chain and sprockets. Yes, it's still the first master link. However, the original chain I never used (took it off before I rode the bike I fitted a DID 520VT2). It's lasted well. Regarding the rear sprocket, I have 2 wheel sets so they last a long time as I swap between wheels.

[@jerryleivon7852]

There are noises coming from the front small sprocket and i can't understand why...i changed new set but during jerks on bad road..there is a noise coming ...can you help me

[@TokyoOffroad]

What bike do you have? Have you adjusted the chain slack? If there isn't enough slack the chain will pull on the sprocket and put a lot of force on the countershaft when going over bumps.

[@RCboyz10]

What brand is the chain break tool? I am looking for one.

[@TokyoOffroad]

The one I have is sold by Straight Tool in Japan. It's made in Taiwan.

[@RCboyz10]

Ok thank you. Your videos are super helpful.

[@dainbramage8608]

Thank you

[@canaliberk]

Perfect telling,thanks

[@jeremys4705]

Questions, anyone know how many links a 2017 TX300 has? I ordered a kit from RockyMtn. It came with a 118 gold x ring chain and 13 x 50 sprockets. I bought the bike new and haven't replaced the chain or sprockets. The schematic for the bike shows a 13 x 48 but the rear is stamped 50 and definitely has 50 teeth. The schematic also shows 118 link chain. That being said the new chain seems long, I counted out the old chain and laid it up next to the new one and it appears to be 116 links not 118. Anyone know if it's 116 or 118 links? The 118 seems way to big. I haven't tried the adjusters all the way out but it would have to go a long way way. I am new to maintenance on my own, I did buy a Tusk chain press and Tusk chain breaker. Should I just take a link out? I down want to mess up a brand new chain, but I also want to ride before the snow! This is what is ordered www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/959/2097/Primary-Drive-Alloy-Kit-%26-Gold-X-Ring-Chain?s=1397888

[@danielcheng5070]

Awesome explanation