LC4 Upgrades (How do I shorten a chain)

[speaksgeek]

So I've got some new bits for the Katoom

So, new sprockets front and back. Front sprocket down one, 16T. Rear stock 42T.
New chain, orange links. :D
Frame sliders front and back. (Rear slider pulled through when I was doing it up, back to the shop :? )
Airbox side cover (wrong shape, new one coming :? )
New left peg mount, bent the last one at GPTC, wasn't much of an issue except couldn't kick it anymore.
Oil and filters. New capacitor as old one got dented.
57 pieces of metric socket goodness. Torque Wrench :)

http://www.speaks.geek.nz/gallery2/images/DSC_2851.jpg

Got the peg mount on, despite the crappy spring trying to thwart me.

Then the sliders turned into a bitch. The rear went on easy enough, until I tightened them up and the left slider pulled through. Considering it wasn't very tight yet, I'm pretty annoyed, and wondering if they are going to be useful if they break that easy.

Next was the chain and sprockets, front sprocket was easy, I've left the rear for the moment, it's the chain that's annoying me.

Counted up the links on the old chain, and it turns out to have 110 and my new chain has 120. How should I get rid of some of the links? I don't have a bench or vice etc to cut or press links off.

So, an afternoon spent with mixed results.
The crap sliders, and chain issues are annoying. Would have liked to try the airbox cover.
But the new front sprocket is awesome, makes 2nd and 3rd much more useful in traffic. In 1st it now wheelies with the slightest hint of throttle, and in 2nd I can now yank it up a little bit (soon to be a lot bit).

[Muzzard]

Lay the 2 chains out on the floor Angus and relate the links to each other so as to locate the right one to remove.
Grind the head off the 2 link pins flush to the plate holding that link and remove the unwanted links, by prying off the plate with a screwdriver, levering off the next link plate, its as easy as that ;)
To not confuse yourself as to which link, lay the joining link next to the chain as if it was fitted so you understand which plate to remove.

You can purchase chain breaking tools but even still for the best advantage to those the link pin ends need to be ground flush with the plate.

[Wobbly]

Talk to Juz about the sliders ;)

Chain wise, 120 links is a common aftermarket chain size, and bikes vary in chain length due to suspension travel and swingarm length (2 bikes with the same wheelbase will have different swingarm lengths and different countershaft-hub sprocket distance).

Splitting a chain is easy, just buy a chain breaker tool. Dunno how much they are now, I think mine cost me about $50 or something. Anyways, any bike shop will have one and they're easy as pie (just push the pins out a little bit at a time alternating between them). You can also get a chain press together type tool, which is basically just a U shaped chunk of metal with a bolt threaded through it to press the joining link into place. Or buy a few small G clamps which also work, but tend to bend and break a bit...

[Daws]

I am sort of repeating what has already been said but it's more like confirmation.

Chain breaking - Dremel or small grinder is your friend. Grind the peened ends flush with the sideplate and lever the sideplate off with a screwdriver or similar. Chain breaking tools are good but another expense, they have the advantage over a dremel/grinder of not throwing metal and abrasive carbide dust everywhere (like into your new greasy chain)

To clamp the sideplate before puting on the clip (I assume it's not a soft link type?) I use 2 small g-clamps with 2 small sockets on the sideplate so it would slide over the pins the correct distance - Does this make sense? I can draw a picture.

[megahead]

i agree with what the other guys said but here's a simple hint
if your gunna put that rear sprocket on do that before cuttin new chain and Remember to wind in your chain adjuster sounds simple but easy to forget :D
also did you get peen over or clip type joinin link as peen overs are easy to over tighten and links only go on oneway properly (closed bit facin direction of travel) hope this helps or if you know this i will shut up and have another beer :lol:

[speaksgeek]

That all makes sense. However, there are a few things I'm not too keen to screw up by myself.
New chain has a clip type master link, as does the old one.
Anyone nearish the city wanna give me a hand with rear sprocket and fitting the new chain? Barter can be arranged dinner/beer etc.

[Wobbly]

You're welcome to use my chain breaker and I can give you a hand. Where around the city are you? I move between the eastern subs (nunawading) and south melb every day for work.

[Flash]

You're welcome to use my chain breaker and I can give you a hand. Where around the city are you? I move between the eastern subs (nunawading) and south melb every day for work.

As of next week I'll be Ringwood and the city! :D

[Sibbo]

I can drink beer and bark orders very well.

Ash, you got another job, or Shans moved to the city?

[Muzzard]

Angus,
Your clip type link can be a swine to get on far enough to securely locate the spring clip.
Like Brett said there is a taper inside the chain plate that must be applied with the smallest hole of the taper facing outwards against the spring clip.
To get the plate on enough, but not too much as to bind the link, use a pair of multigrips between the link pins and squeeze the plate in squarely until the clip grooves are visible in the pins, then place the clip on and lever back against the chain plate off the link next to the joiner, to pull the thrust back against the clip and free up the link to the proper tension.

Make sense mate?

[Wobbly]

As of next week I'll be Ringwood and the city! :D
Excellent - I'll look for you in traffic then and put my bowls whites on :lol:

[Sibbo]

Do you want a volvo badge as well?

[SMC690]

Hey Angus,
You have been given the wrong airbox cover for your model.
Yours is the one that goes on from the side, not the top as pictured.
Also the rear sprocket is not the one you were meant to get by the looks but I am pretty sure it will fit, it's the dearer alloy one.
I too busted my rear slider when doing it up too tight, pulled through on the LHS one and I had to superglue mine back up again to get it to work again. I have ordered spare sliders but there are none in the country. :(

I am happy to help you with the chain & sprockets if you still have the old ones on and you can ride over here to do so. :)

[Wobbly]

I have some old skateboard wheels left if anyone wants some :)

[Sibbo]

I have some old skateboard wheels left if anyone wants some :)
I can think of someone that might need lots of sets :lol:

http://vsmr.net/albums/south_morang_2006-10-14/MOV01786.mpg

Its so funny, cos its not me :D

[Wobbly]

You bitch :lol2:

[Sibbo]

I have to make the most of it, cos it is so rare that its not me crashing, over and over again. How many times was it???? :lol:

[agent34]

Anyone nearish the city wanna give me a hand with rear sprocket

Make sure you use locktite on the rear sprocket bolts, not the permenant one the semi permenant one. The rear sprocket is not to bad and is pretty straight forward.

[SM93]

from the vid sibbo it looks like it was very close to being you.

[Sibbo]

Nar, I was in complete control, I was just deciding if I turn him into a speed hump or slow down to lend a hand.

I woosed it and slowed down.

[shane]

Nar, I was in complete control, I was just deciding if I turn him into a speed hump or slow down to lend a hand.

I woosed it and slowed down.
great vid sibbo , but what where you doind at the back :shock: and being led by a orange bike with skiny's + baby breaks , and a jersy cow :?: :?: :?: i hope you where just letting them get there confindence up before you went past and fucked off :D :D
riding a BERG now,so you have to live up to the hype of this beast :lol: :lol:

[Flash]

I can drink beer and bark orders very well.

Ash, you got another job, or Shans moved to the city?

Had a reasonable offer with QBE. So I'm going. :)

[Sibbo]

Had a reasonable offer with QBE. So I'm going. :)
So beers are on you, cos you have increased your wage by 50%?

[Sibbo]

great vid sibbo , but what where you doind at the back :shock: and being led by a orange bike with skiny's + baby breaks , and a jersy cow :?: :?: :?: i hope you where just letting them get there confindence up before you went past and fucked off :D :D
riding a BERG now,so you have to live up to the hype of this beast :lol: :lol:
Once I sort out the chatter (if it is the front wheel rubbing on the fork), and I keep improving and I do some dodgy passing moves on Muzz, I think I will be able to make him crash :D

[Muzzard]

Dodgy passing moves only come when you can actually pass me Sibbo :lol: .
Even on the straight the Bergs not got enough to out run the mechanical cow.
I dont want to burst your bubble mate, but I tend to use you as the control.
Most sessions you are out first, and usually on the other side of the track when I enter it, I try to see how many laps it takes to catch you and then again how many to lap you and whether I can lap you twice in a session, usually yes.
Ptactice, Practice. ;)

[Sibbo]

Thats crap, I dont think you actually rode away from me this track day.

I have to change how I brake at the end of the straight, cos I almost crash into you, cos you brake too much or you back it in too much and its migh be a bit slower than having it in line.

But I am on the improve for sure, in time.......I can be the fast old fart!!!! hahahaha

[Muzzard]

Thats crap, I dont think you actually rode away from me this track day.
I have to change how I brake at the end of the straight, cos I almost crash into you, cos you brake too much or you back it in too much

Hang on Brett,
You said earlier in the post you had some good dices with Murray, and yet when I said he was faster than me even with the skinnies, he replied I passed him twice, and the only time he passed me was while I was cooking lunch.
For you to be dicing with him and not pass me, I passed you mate ;) ...
I didnt just ride away from you, I caught and passed you in every session and I think someone else might also attest to that fact.
And yes Brett, I do back it in, because I can and dont bin it at the end of the slide, you say you were going to run into me, why not just stick it anywhere and pass me then? :?
'Practice Grasshopper' ;)

[Sibbo]

Nar, you didnt lap me. I say on your tail when ever you came by.

The dices with Murray, were the best. SOOOOOO much fun.

I cant put it up the inside, cos you take the defensive line and run to the middle of the track to defend your inside line, cos you know that I am better under brakes than you (waiting for the fireworks).

I dont want to T-bone you on a practice day, cos its a day for fun, not for trying to kill each other. And I dont really want to change that. I will work on my skills, so I can pass you without being too dicy.

[Muzzard]

Now your starting to get the gist mate,
Doesnt really matter how fast you are, or aren't, most times it comes down to cagey track craft, baulking to get the run onto the straights so I dont get overrun, ride the wide line and back it in to keep the bike as wide as possible, then switchback inside just when you think theres a hole, stay central to the track through the 3 apex so you cant run under or around me, that sort of thing, besides the fact like you say, its a track day and we dont really want to bin bikes, I am only going about 2/3 race pace.
You will get there Brett no doubt, have a look at the pictures on
http://www.vsmr.net/modules.php?set_albumName=Pauls-Photos&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php&page=3
And look at your body language as opposed to Murray's and mine entering the corner,
You are up too straight mate.

[SMC690]

Interesting cornering technique eh Sibbo: :)

http://vsmr.net/albums/Pauls-Photos/GPTC_141006_057.sized.jpg

[Sibbo]

look at your body language as opposed to Murray's and mine entering the corner,
You are up too straight mate.
So I should be more hunched over? I thought that came with age! :D
I am doing me Abe style, where your back is completly straight. ;)

And the cornering, its all about puting a show on 8)

[SM93]

hahahahahahahahaha

Sibbo the berg looks like a beast, are you sure u still like 2 strokes ? Thats pure torque in that pic, sadly a 2 stroke won't match that.


MUz and Sibbo sound like me and Mato, nothing like trash talk before a track day :D

[Muzzard]

Its all good.
Trash talking with Brett usually fires him up and he rides better the next track day :lol:
Doing it with Ash sometimes makes him at least attend one ;)

The hunched over riding position is a combination of lowering you weight centre, and old age :?
Nevertheless Brett, You need to begin to alter your riding position on the bike and the best way is by watching others, looking at/studying video and still pictures in detail, then ride closely behind someone who's style you would like to emulate and just do as they do.
The backing in is not all just for the show, but if you change your style by getting that more aggressive stance, not just the race face,
You will find it easier to do and with control over the direction/angle/braking.
We could put together some really hot video footage with several of us stickin' em in there close together like cards then :twisted: ..

[Sibbo]

Thats pure torque in that pic, sadly a 2 stroke won't match
Nar, I love two strokes and always will. The YZ does the same wheelies as the berg. I think its just how I ride :D

One time when chasing the KTM 300 I activly did not touch the rear brake, as to keep it inline and I made up more ground, than when I was using the rear brake and getting loose. Sure its fun, but I dont think its the fastest way for me at the moment.

[Sibbo]

We could put together some really hot video footage with several of us stickin' em in there close together like cards then :twisted: ..
Sponsership!!!