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It's been a while since I started gathering things for the job.

I've got a decent swinger (two, actually), oil tank, Tuono belly, Mille headers, Abba stand (and knowledge on how to use it for the job).

I need: shimano tool (supposebly easy to get from Halfords), and chain splitting/riveting tool. And knowledge on that! I've never had to take care of any chain in my life, and have no clue how to prepare myself for it. I've done some searching and reading just to learn that cheapo tools break. Still don't know how do I do it, how to split it, what to use, what do I replace the split link with, what to get and where...

The chain should be *just* long enough (I've got 15 teeth sprocket).

Could anyone point me to a place where it's all explained (with BIG pictures for no00bies)?

Has someone got a tool for me to borrow (it doesn't make sense to shell over £50 for a one time job - well, for me it does, but my wifey wouldn't be so impressed)?

There was an article in Superbike magazine... November 2007 i believe which went through how to do this with some nice piccies. Do you want me to find it and scan it for you?

To split the chain you need to grind the head off the rivet and then push it out... and obviously you need a replacement link.

The hardest part is riveting. I broke my first dodgy tool while trying to rivet (the handle snapped off) - but the second one worked fine. Then when riveting, you have to make sure to rivet enough, but not too much.


Of all the jobs you are doing, dealing with the bearings in the shock linkage and swingarm were the toughest for me. How are you dealing with these?

Syltiz wrote:There was an article in Superbike magazine... November 2007 i believe which went through how to do this with some nice piccies. Do you want me to find it and scan it for you?

That would be great!

Syltiz wrote: Of all the jobs you are doing, dealing with the bearings in the shock linkage and swingarm were the toughest for me. How are you dealing with these?

I've got the newish linkages sorted already with a yellow Sachs off a Mille, I'll just swap them over onto the new arm.
The bearings in the better arm I've got look good enough to me. After reading about all the trouble with teasing them out of there, I just can't be bothered. I don't think the arm has done more than a few thousands miles, so I'll leave them there, just checked them and they look as good as they can be (to me). I'll put a pint of grease in there and they'll be as good as new. If not... I'll start all over again.

Ok - i will find that article tonight and scan it for you.

You don't actually need a special tool to join up a chain - it just makes the job easier.

As suggested you must grind off the old rivet heads then you can use a punch to remove the old link. Keep the old loose sideplate - it can help later.

It helps to have 2 extra hands. If you are replacing the swingarm you will find joining the new chain easier on the bench. Assemble the link as instructed with loads of lube and all the o/x rings. Press the new sideplate into place using pliers or similar. Use the old one to act as a shim to allow you to then force the link together in a vice. Finally use a large centrepunch and a ball peen hammer to mushroom over the rivet heads. Not too tight - make sure you don't lock up the link.

Thanks for the tips, I'm starting to get an idea on what I'm going to be doing.

Fausto wrote:Use the old one to act as a shim to allow you to then force the link together in a vice.

That's a tricky bit. I have no vice, certainly not small enough to use it in those tight spaces (the chain goes through the Mille swingarm, doesn't it?). That's why it would be handy to have that riveting tool, as I understand it is kind of a small vice with attachments.

sabestian wrote:Thanks for the tips, I'm starting to get an idea on what I'm going to be doing.

Fausto wrote:Use the old one to act as a shim to allow you to then force the link together in a vice.

That's a tricky bit. I have no vice, certainly not small enough to use it in those tight spaces (the chain goes through the Mille swingarm, doesn't it?). That's why it would be handy to have that riveting tool, as I understand it is kind of a small vice with attachments.

I think you misunderstand there Seb... what Fausto is saying is set the chain in the swingarm before you fit the swingarm to the bike. Then you can do it in a bench vice. You will suss it out and find that it is quite easy to do off the bike

The secret to succesful chain splitting is to locate the "soft" link and either grind it off or use the chain splitter on it. In my experience (costly I might add) using a splitter on a std chain link will just result in the splitter pin shattering.

F9

paddyz1 wrote:

sabestian wrote:Thanks for the tips, I'm starting to get an idea on what I'm going to be doing.

Fausto wrote:Use the old one to act as a shim to allow you to then force the link together in a vice.

That's a tricky bit. I have no vice, certainly not small enough to use it in those tight spaces (the chain goes through the Mille swingarm, doesn't it?). That's why it would be handy to have that riveting tool, as I understand it is kind of a small vice with attachments.

I think you misunderstand there Seb... what Fausto is saying is set the chain in the swingarm before you fit the swingarm to the bike. Then you can do it in a bench vice. You will suss it out and find that it is quite easy to do off the bike

Actually I must confess I had forgotten about the chain through the swingarm bollox that a Mille swinger entails. However Paddy is correct. It would still be easier on the bench - just with the spare hands holding the swinger out of the way.

Fausto wrote:

paddyz1 wrote:

sabestian wrote:Thanks for the tips, I'm starting to get an idea on what I'm going to be doing.

Fausto wrote:Use the old one to act as a shim to allow you to then force the link together in a vice.

That's a tricky bit. I have no vice, certainly not small enough to use it in those tight spaces (the chain goes through the Mille swingarm, doesn't it?). That's why it would be handy to have that riveting tool, as I understand it is kind of a small vice with attachments.

I think you misunderstand there Seb... what Fausto is saying is set the chain in the swingarm before you fit the swingarm to the bike. Then you can do it in a bench vice. You will suss it out and find that it is quite easy to do off the bike

Actually I must confess I had forgotten about the chain through the swingarm bollox that a Mille swinger entails. However Paddy is correct. It would still be easier on the bench - just with the spare hands holding the swinger out of the way.

Wish I had thought of that

paddyz1 wrote:I think you misunderstand there Seb... what Fausto is saying is set the chain in the swingarm before you fit the swingarm to the bike. Then you can do it in a bench vice. You will suss it out and find that it is quite easy to do off the bike

I must be a genious, because I just logged on to share that fantastic idea with you! :)

Falco9, it's still the original chain, so I don't think it's got that softer link. I'll look for it carefully.

I recently removed the O/E chain using a chain tool and didn't have the means to grind down a pin so I set about it with a file. Didn't take long before I gave up that idea as it's bleedin' awkward and was having bugger all impact, so just drove the pin out with the tool. surprisingly easily.

A word of warning on doing the job on the bench is making sure the chain length is right.

ok - I have the article scanned but no idea how to post it here. Seb - send me your email addy and I will mail it to you

just remember to remove the back header off before otherwise youl not get the swinger on and reuse the falco swinger bolt, easy peasy,


sms

AAAAAAAAAGghhhhh! Syltiz, I don't know how to attach that either! It's a pdf, anybody's got a clue?