Hi all,

Just after a bit of advice. I've got a 1991 CBR600 FM and im due a new chain and sprockets.

Now, the bike is old and I wanted to squeeze a little bit more out of it in the way of acceleration. I thought changing the sprockets and having less/more teeth, my questions are-


* What is a good amount of teeth to go up/down?
* Should I change the number of teeth on both sprockets?
* Will a standard chain fit over a sprocket that has more or less teeth than a standard one?


Just for info my sprockets should be 15 teeth Front, 43 Teeth Rear, 108 link chain.

Any advice would be great cheers,

 

-1 front +2 rear is a standard upgrade. 14/45. I believe you will need to use 109 links as well. Better brand sprockets actually have the conversion formula on the package.

If you plan on doing it yourself make sure you have all the proper tools. Rear stand, chain press tool or make sure you get a master link that uses a clip, and a cut-off/grinder tool helps a lot.

 

Not to jack the thread but why would you use a clip type master link over a Rivet type . I have been debating this myself

 

Also if your running a 525 chain, you could go to a 520 chain and sprockets as well.

 

I've probably installed 30 chains and I've only used clip masters. I installed a couple rivet ones as well and they were just fine, but for me it's simply preference. I've put my bikes through the ringer... track and stunt and have never had a clip master fail. For me it's preference but for some it may be something else.

 

Use this tool:



Simple, easy and has always worked for me.

 

Rivet is safer and can't come apart. I've run master links for 8-9 years and never had a problem. Just install them in the correct direction so they don't fall off, and keep your chain maintained properly and you won't have any issues.

 

I can't claim lots of master link experience on bikes (pedal or motorized), but I can claim LOTS of chain and master link experience on agricultural and industrial equipment over the last 25 years. In that time, I've not had a single 'clip' master link fail, unless the installer bent something badly or didn't install it even close to correctly. When some of you talk about 'rivet' master links, are you talking about actually rivet-gunning the pins into the links, or are you just talking about the type that use 2 cotter pins to hold the side plate on? I've had cotter-pin-type master links come apart on me before. Not a lot, but sometimes.

 

A rivet type clip looks just like a normal link once you've put it in. All you do it push it through and flatten the other side. It looks like there isn't a master link at all when you are done.

 

Okay, yes, I've seen those (well, I've seen people installing them). I'd personally rely on the clip-type masters, but obviously those will also work.