Front Sprocket Removal w/o Chain???

[Guest]

I'm upgrading my drivetrain from a 630 to 530 chain and sprockets. I cut the old chain off last week and made the rookie mistake of throwing it away. Now I'm struggling to remove the front sprocket because it keeps turning the engine over. Anybody out there have any tricks for front sprocket removal? I've tried wedging a wrench between the frame and sprocket teeth but haven't seemed to get it to budge.
Thanks!

[TheCafeKid]

Eesh. Well there you have a problem. An air impact gun would greatly help you in this endeavor, but barring that, one thing you can try, and I don't condone this usually but ive done it before, in a serious pinch when I made the same mistake, is to wrap your new chain around the sprocket until it's wound around the thing quite a few times and wedges the sprocket/chain against the cases. You may even try to slip a slim peice of wood in there to spread the load. This should keep the sprocket from spinning the motor over. You might try a touch of heat to the nut as well as some people insist on using red threadlock on the CS nut. Don't go crazy with the heat, there's a seal on the Countershaft you don't want to melt. The danger with the above is busting a hole in the cases but I managed to not do that and broke the nut loose. The wood would help prevent that as well. I'd try to come up with another plan, maybe see if someone here can send you a 630 chain and re-assemble everything with a masterlink (they're cheap) and do it properly. But if all else fails, the above should work. Just be forewarned of the consequences, and don't hold me responsible

[GS750cafe]

Thanks Cafe Kid. I just saw online a clutch and sprocket removal tool - basically vice grips with a 90* bend at the tips... think these will help?

[hikermikem]

Thanks Cafe Kid. I just saw online a clutch and sprocket removal tool - basically vice grips with a 90* bend at the tips... think these will help?

no... maybe a hunk of wood jammed up against the sprocket will hold it while you wrench it...

[tkent02]

Don't **** around, impact driver.
B d d d d d p... Done.

[koolaid_kid]

I would rent an air compressor and impact wrench, also use the wedge the wood or whatever method to hold the sprocket at the same time, and pray just a bit.
The other thing you may want to do is post in the "Parts wanted" section to see if someone would send you their worn out chain.
You should really update your UserCP (upper left menu item) with your location. There may be someone fairly close to you who could bring a chain or compressor over to your place.
Best of luck.

[hjfisk]

If you don't have an air impact you could bring the bike to a shop somewhere , any service station or garage that has an air impact and get them to spin it off for you

[GS750cafe]

Hey thanks for all the advice everyone! I have an old electric impact wrench that was my grandfathers. I may try that with the piece of wood wedged in there first to see if I can get it to budge. Wish me luck! Also just ordered an impact screwdriver to help remove (and replace w/ ss allen head) those stubborn engine screws.

[Suzuki mad]

Be careful of where you wedge the sprocket with the piece of wood just in case it spins and you have crankcase repairs to do afterwards.

[quexpress]

One of these might help.

[DimitriT]

Call up your local bike shop and ask them for an old chain.

[GabrielGoes]

i personally like the monster 630 chains... why is it considered an upgrade to goto a 530?

[koolaid_kid]

i personally like the monster 630 chains... why is it considered an upgrade to goto a 530?

It reduces unsprung weight (not that big a deal on a 550+ lb. street bike IMHO). The main advantage is the availability of chain brands, models and selections. Tons of 530s out there, very few 630s.

[GS750cafe]

Good news! I got the socket adapter I needed to run my Grandpa's old impact wrench, and with a towel wrapped around the sprocket she cam right off! Yeah! A little cleaning inside and now the new sprocket is on and the cover is ready for some holes to be drilled!

Thanks everyone for their $.02!

[dueller]

Just did mine last nite and wasn't a problem with the bike in gear. Mine had a bendable washer though over the nut. Your's doesn't have that? Mine wasn't really that tight either. I did have an insanely large ratchet though. A guy I knew asked if he could store his tool box in my shed bout 5 years ago. He happened to have a 1" drive ratchet with about a 3' handle on it Had no problem spinning that nut off.

Also, was going to suggest if you still had the chain, grab a couple metal coat hangers (several, as many as you can fit inbetween the links) and tie the chain back together. Make sure to use some pliers to twist the ends together so they don't come apart. If you ever get into that situation again