For shits and giggles- Chain and Sprocket swap on Kawasaki Versys

[TonyBKK]

Cooked another chain on the Versys... Have to book way in advance for service at Kawasaki Rama 9 so decided to swap chain and sprockets myself

Going down 2 teeth in the back with a MotoPlay 44T sprocket.

Out with the old...


.... and in with the new! ^_^v


44T 520 for the Versys. Will lower the revs a bit on the highway


Clean and grease the wheel bearings


Cut the old chain


Only 12,000km and this chain is toast... Note failed o-ring... :/


Yikes! Severely worn front sprocket... Is this kind of wear possible in just 12,000 km? Did Kawasaki replace it when I last changed chain and sprockets?

I had asked Kawasaki to change the sprockets along with the chain at ~12,000 km, but there may have been a "misunderstanding", and I must confess, I didn't look closely at the bill... One more reason to do it myself!

Old on new


Countershaft clean. It was seriously dirty!


Front sprocket done. Mangled the lock washer a bit


Smaller sprocket means shorter chain- removing a link


80 ft/lbs to keep GT-Rider "Monsterman" happy ^_*
(Turns out 80 ft/lbs is EXACTLY "torque it's **** off" on my elbow gauge)


Installing the master link


Master link side plate on


Flaring the pins. So easy when you have the right tool! ^_^


Job done! Happy Holidays everyone!!! ^_^v

[Satonic]

The 13t sprocket I put on for our trip is already starting to hook!

That Moto-Play sprocket looks great

[bsnub]

Its been years since I turned wrenches on a bike. Looks like fun.

[TonyBKK]

The 13t sprocket I put on for our trip is already starting to hook!

That Moto-Play sprocket looks great

Seriously?! We only clocked about ~2200km on the last tour. That was an aftermarket sprocket, right? Tell us the brand so we can make sure to avoid it!

[Satonic]

The 13t sprocket I put on for our trip is already starting to hook!

That Moto-Play sprocket looks great

Seriously?! We only clocked about ~2200km on the last tour. That was an aftermarket sprocket, right? Tell us the brand so we can make sure to avoid it!

I believe it was a RK sprocket, I think I may have left the original and the packet at your house? It was kinda pricey too... I gave him 900 for the sprocket and oil filter.

It's not anything drastic but it's easy to see the teeth have started to hook already. I need a new chain when I put a bigger rear sprocket on anyway so I'll just replace the whole set.

Edit - Yep, defiantly RK



(It didn't come from Dr. bike)

[TonyBKK]

^ How much you wanna bet it's a fake... A genuine RK sprocket wouldn't hook after just 2000km!

[Satonic]

^ How much you wanna bet it's a fake... A genuine RK sprocket wouldn't hook after just 2000km!

That's exactly what I was thinking, RK are decent sprockets so I was surprised to see what I did.

I'll go to DirtShop next time, I think they stock them.

[Hoghead]

44T rear is the business and you will like it for all round road use.

[palexxxx]

Tony, when you have done a few k's with the new rear sprocket I'd like to know your impressions of how it compares to the original.