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Hello Brotherhood and fellow Yamaha fans...

I have a 97 YZF1000RJ (Thunderace) and I am looking to replace the chain and sprockets. I have read with interest the many posts concerning this, but I have a question or two.

I do pretty good working on cars and such, but have never actually done a chain, so I am a little lost as to how this is done. I understand there is a master link, but how is this installed and would I need special tools? Is it possible (and how do you) cut a chain to length, or do you need to order the correct length?

I do not know what type of chain is currently on the bike as the previous owner changed from original, but I do know the rear sprocket is 47 teeth. I do want to go back to stock at 46 teeth, and I have settled on a DID ZVM Series Premium X ring (530ZVM2) and Renthal steel sprockets (17/46). I did check my handy dandy scanned in service book and it reports a chain length of 110 links, but that was for a 523ZLV KAI chain (whatever that means). I thought they came stock with a 532 chain. Anyway, does anyone know if it is safe to assume that I would still need 110 lengths (I think I can order it that way) or am I going to have to cut?

I know my short question has become a little long, but I am trying to decide if I want to tackle this myself, or surrender to taking it to the shop.

Thanks!

Hey Buck,

As far as your info, all's good. If the chain on the bike has a masterlink, then just take the clip off and push out the link and you're done. If it has a rivited masterlink or is endless, then a dremel or similar device would be suffeicent to cut the chain off.

Installing the new chain is the more difficult task. I recommend using a rivited masterlink for safety, but have used clip style links in the past. Using a rivited masterlink does require special tools, a clip style does not.