Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Dumb question here speedmaster chain

I was thinking of replaceing my chain and sprockets (15K on bike). I had not noticed that there is no master link . Do the replacements come with a master link or do I need to remove swing bar? Plus what is the different between the chains you have been talking about? 525 or the 535 i think it was.Is there a reason for no master link?

Will, I just replaced my chain and sprockets with 530 (is bigger than the stock 525) and it came with a master link which I had to install myself using a special chain tool which you will need to buy. So the chain comes disassembled so you can either grind off one of your links on your current chain or use a chain breaker, and then thread the new chain through before you fit the master link the new chain comes with.

Hope that helps mate. I'm sure others will give you a link to where you can buy the chain breaker/fitter tool from, or you can probably get one from you local dealer.

Heres the chain breaker/riveter that I have.. and there is some pretty cool info about chains and such here.

Will, I posted on this before. The stock chain on the brand new bike has no master link. Has to be cut or chain brakered off. When you buy a new one from the dealer, it comes with a master link. This according to my dealer.

530 is 1.5 mm wider need sprocket for 530 as well what is not that bad coz all Thunderbird suit and easier to get them as aftermarket product with different number of teeth "JT Sprockets" is a company who has it all

If you use a snap together master link, note that some (or all?) are directional.

Some dealers, like Machines in Motion, will cut down a chain purchased there for free, saving the expense of a chain breaker tool.

The snap on master link you always put the open end away from the direction of travel.

I think I will use the rivet type of master link. Did not like the idea of loosing the clip at hwy. speed. Lots of info thanks.

I can't believe no one on this thread even mentioned the front sprocket options, and I'm still unclear as to whether or not Speedies and Americas both come stock with the same now or not - and if so, is it 18t, or 17t?

I bought a chain tool (MotionPro) at CycleGear for about $100.00, and it was pretty straight-forward breaking the old and riveting the new myself. Hardest part was wrestling the rear wheel back on to the axle (stabbing the axle) by myself, on the old "$20 bike lift" on the garage floor, while holding the spacers and what have you in position so the axle could be stabbed through. I'd do it again, but another two hands would be nice!

For the newbies - the old Speedmasters ('03-'05?) came with 16t front sprockets, while the Americas had 17t fronts. I had gone to the 18t front, and liked the 18t (and the 16t) both, and mostly ride at 80 on the highway (not much on surface streets if I can help it). TRIUMPH did not package a chain/sprocket set with the 18t front at the time I changed mine, so I went with the America part set (the 17t front sprocket). Best of both worlds.

I thought at one time that, with the greater torque that the 865cc motor provides, TRIUMPH may have gone to stock 18t front sprockets on both models, but I can't recall whether or not anyone ever confirmed that. I'm still curious about that one. What do the new fuel-injected bikes run stock today? Anybody know? That seems to have been dropped from TRIUMPH's "spec sheet" in the brochures from 2006 on.....

As for chain size - 525 vs. 530 - other than having to source the parts from outside sources, is the bigger chain likely to last any longer? I don't see it providing any real tangible benefit, and it has to add more weight, too.

Inquireing minds......

Dont know if the 530 chain will provide any extra wear yet. I also run the Scottoiler and my second chain sprocket setup at 530 is now at 15K. I ran my first chain and sproclket set to 22K and the chain was very well done in at 22K

Did you get an X ring or O ring or a std type 530? Did you use the Honda sprockets? Won't be long and I'll probably be changing mine. I'm over 15,000 miles on mine now and almost never lube it.(bad I know but I never think about it unless someone mentions it)

i have 21000 on my original chain. gonna be changing it very soon tho with a factory triumph kit with the clip master link. i am just gonna carry a spare and not worrie about riviting it

Frank

No worries with the clip type link, even when I had a chain fail it wasn't the master link. I never had one of those clip type links come apart,not saying it can't happen but in over 30 years of riding it hasn't happened to me. I am going to use that type too since it is the easiest to fix along the road if need be. I always carry 2 extras and a chain breaker so I can fix just about any break.

I have used the clip on my KDX's and rode them hard in the desert with no failures,But was concerned of a failure at hwy speeds. After reading some of the links I got from you guys it seems to boil down to Bud or Coors there.(BA's or speedies)