I need mech. help in MN

[MN_gs550]

I just broke a link in the drive chain and it needs to be replaced, but so do the sprockets (at least from what I read on this forum).
But the problem is that I have no idea, or tools to remove the rear swing arm and internal sprocket (the one inside the left side of the bike behind the clutch spring thing).
If anyone lives in the Twin cities MN
and wants to make some extra cash I need some help .
Let me know if your out there !
P.S. i think the clutch pushrod is also broken but i cant tell.
P.P.S. ill buy the parts and the beverage of your choice!
The bike :
1980 gs550e
28,000 mi

[makenzie71]

Then replace them. It's a straight forward task. Countless resources online will walk you through the process.

[makenzie71]

This is a great article...covers everything you'd need to know and about four pages of stuff that's just way too mundane to have mentioned...it is thorough.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motorcycle-chain-sprocket/

[chef1366]

Cut the old chain off with a dremel. Get a chain with a master link. Replace the counter and rear sprocket. The nut for the counter sprocket is 32mm.

[Suzuki mad]

I just broke a link in the drive chain and it needs to be replaced, but so do the sprockets (at least from what I read on this forum).
But the problem is that I have no idea, or tools to remove the rear swing arm and internal sprocket (the one inside the left side of the bike behind the clutch spring thing).
If anyone lives in the Twin cities MN
and wants to make some extra cash I need some help .
Let me know if your out there !
P.S. i think the clutch pushrod is also broken but i cant tell.
P.P.S. ill buy the parts and the beverage of your choice!
The bike :
1980 gs550e
28,000 mi

Chef's way is an easy way. If you are not confident then use his advice.

To get the swing arm out.

The swinging arm has just one long bolt that goes through the frame and swing arm. To remove it you remove the rear brakecalliper bolts, torque arm bolts, then the rear wheel. This will lighten the swingarm.
Look at the frame by the back of the engine. You should see one bolt that goes through with a nut one side and bolt the other in the frame. Thats the swinging arm bolt. Loosen the nut so that there is enough thread showing and using a 'hide mallet' tap the nut to move the bolt. Then remove the nut and pull the bolt out. The swingarm should say in place. With a little bit of leverage the swinging arm will come out. No major tool neeed.

If you go that way make sure you loop the new chain over the arm before you refit it.

As for sprockets the rear is easy, only 6 or 8 nuts to remove. The front has a tab washer which needs to be flatened (unless you have a locking nut like on later bikes) and using a breaker bar give the nut a quick jerk/snap motion with the bar and the bike in gear. The compression should give you enough resitance to remove the nut. If you have a compressor and air wrench it will be a lot easier. (Don't use it to do the nut up after wards.)

Its best to fit new tab washers on the rear and front sprocket if they were origianlly fitted.

As for the clutch push rod, best to post a picture. They do bend when the chain comes off. I'm not sure but it might pull out (my GS425 did) but then it might have a retaining clip to hold the rod in place. On the sprocket cover there should be the 'worm drive' where the clutch cable goes in to give the rod a push. These sometmes get broken when a chain comes off.

Suzuki mad

[Suzuki_Don]

If the clutch push rod is bent it will have to be pulled out the other side of the motor. Remove clutch cover, clutch pressure plate and thrust bearing and the pushrod will then come out. After emptying the oil of course,
Cheers
Don

[makenzie71]

why do you need to take the swingarm off?

[TheCafeKid]

why do you need to take the swingarm off?

If its a stock chain, they were made "endless" The only way to take them off, without cutting them of course, was to remove the rear wheel and swingarm. Most of us would simply cut the sucker off there tho.

[80GS750]

i cut mine off.....

way easier then messing with the swingarm....

[makenzie71]

If its a stock chain, they were made "endless" The only way to take them off, without cutting them of course, was to remove the rear wheel and swingarm. Most of us would simply cut the sucker off there tho.

Ah...damn straight. I use bolt cutters. Dremels work. Angle grinders work. If it is in bad enough shape you can take all the slack out of the chain and put a wrench under the rear sprocket (between the chain and sprocket) and break it loose with a good spin. I've done that a time or two on locked up junkyard bikes.

[MN_gs550]

Thanks Guys

Thanks to all who replied to this post!!
With lots of elbow grease and a few choice words I got it going again .
But the clutch pushrod has me worried, I have never owned a bike before this one and im not sure what im looking at. so stay tuned and ill post a new thread with pics of the bike and my prob.

Thanks again
AL

[ryonker]

I just sent you a PM. Maybe we could get together. Sometimes 2 eyes are better than 1.

Rick