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......
