Re: [ST] replacement chain for 1999 Sprint ST

[Dan Wallander <newsgroup@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Stephen,

I've always been one to replace chain and sprockets at the same time.  
They wear in together  and by replacing one without replacing the other 
only wears out the new parts faster.  So, my advice on that one would be 
to get the 17 tooth front sprocket and a new rear sprocket and a new 
chain and put them on at the same time.  If you find you don't like the 
17, changing it to a new 18 or 19 within a couple thousand miles most 
likely won't cause any undue wear.

Forgive me if I'm misunderstanding your question, but the chain your 
bike came with from the factory was indeed an o-ring chain and it was 
installed as an endless chain, that is, it didn't have a master link or 
a rivet connection from the factory.  It's easy for the factory to 
install an endless chain as the swingarm is not yet on the bike.  It's 
not easy for you to install an endless chain as you would have to remove 
and reinstall the swingarm to install a new chain..  Your new chain will 
also be an o-ring (or variant such as x-ring) and will be installed with 
either a master link or a rivet link to join the two ends of the chain.  
For high powered sport bikes, a rivet type link is more secure, though 
I've been using the master link with no problems for years on my '99ST.

I would definitely not remove a link from an old chain and reinstall 
it.  I think you are asking for trouble.  On the Sprint ST, If you 
retain the stock rear sprocket, you do not have to add or remove links 
to fit a 17, 18, or 19 tooth front sprocket.

Dan Wallander
Albuquerque, NM

Stephen wrote:

>   I set out to adjust the chain.  I found a tight spot where it seems a
> link or two has stretched.  This causes a tight spot that I can feel slow
> the wheel down as I turn it.  It shows up on the front and rear sprockets.
> > From what I can gather on the internet, this model cam with an "O" ring type
> chain, however it now has a rivet type, or non "O" ring type.  The bike has
> a little over 12,000 miles on it.  I was considering changing the front
> sprocket from 18 to 17, as a 17 was included when I bought the bike and I
> can spare the top end speed for some low end rpm for the tight curves.
>   My question is:  If I change out the sprocket, I will have to remove a
> link or two anyway, so would it be ok to remove the tight one(s)?  The rest
> of the chain seems fine.  Or would it be best to replace the chain with the
> "O" ring type?
>
>
>
>
>
>  

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