New Chain and front sprocket at 10,000 miles

Had mine in for it's 9k service recently (actually at 9600 or so) they said they looked at the plugs and they were fine so didn't need to be replaced. No mention of the chain so I guess is has some life in it yet.

I along with a friend replaced a chain on my cheap first bike ('96 CBR F3). I will definitely not do that work again without shop quality tools and a mentor.

Huh 10k miles seems early. For example RK chains are warranted to 20k miles. I have 30k miles on a DID chain on my VStrom and it's only now due for replacement because I neglected it. The sprockets however look brand new. The stock stuff on my Hyper still looks mint at 15k miles.

I'm curious how a chain oiler might extend chain life. If only they weren't so messy.

I changed my stock chain at 22,000 miles. Probably about 2000 to late Lubed it regularly, but only cleaned it about twice after some heavy dirt.

It's not hard to do, and I'm no ace mechanic. One of the few benefits of the single sided swing arm. You will have to loosen the gear shift lever (one nut) and remove the rear footpeg holder - 2 bolts and a nut.

The only "special " tools you need are a 12mm allen socket, a 32mm deep socket for the front sprocket, and the rear nut wrench to remove the rear sprocket carrier. I'd definitely use an impact driver for the front sprocket - piece of cake. I also got a motion pro chain breaker - about $24 - worked great. And I'm assuming people have a torque wrench or two.

The 12mm Allen is for torquing the cush drive units - they're expansion fit and you need to get them from the front and rear. The rear has a crude 12mm allen punch out.

I replaced the rear sprocket with a quick change carrier so I don't have to deal with the cush drive etc. again. It was about $30 more than the stock steel sprocket, and replacement steel sprockets will be abut $100 less than the stock one.

I also used a screw on type master link. Seems to be fine after 8,000 miles, and I carry a spare with me now for roadside repair or on the road chain replacement.

One thing to note is that the nuts that torque the sprocket carrier are oval inside. I thought that was a stress thing due to age, but it is a type of locking design. Live and learn.

RSL said:

Even if this $250 expense is early, it will be 8,000 miles before the bike is back for the timing belts.

They installed an X ring DID chain, which they say will last 15,000 miles.

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I will say that it seems odd that the shop didn't replace the rear sprocket. Mine looked pretty good with the chain on, but once off, the wear was readily apparent.

At your next service, the rear will be well worn, and this will have affected the chain - so a new sprocket without another chain change might not be the best thing.