Installing a chain.
If you plan on installing a longer swing arm on your XR50 or CRF50, you are going to have to install a new chain as well, since most aftermarket swing arms are longer than the stock swing arm. Seeing the most chains are not cut to the proper size, installing a chain requires a little preparation in order to guarantee a proper sized fit. For this project, we are going to cover removing the old chain and installing a new one.
Tools Needed: : ¼ brain, chain, chain press tool, kerosene, small flat head screwdriver, and chain lube
- Start the project by removing the left side engine cover. Note that two of the bolts are 35mm long and one bolt is 28mm. The 28 mm bolt belongs in the bottom right hole.
- Remove the master link from the chain. To do this, use a small flat head screwdriver to pry the master link forward and remove the master link.
- Remove the old chain.
At this point you should now be ready to install your new chain. Seeing that most new chains come packed in grease, now would be a good time to remove the chain from its packaging and clean it off with some kerosene or some other type of cleaning chemical.
If you are going to be installing a new chain on a stock bike, you will need to do the following:
- Take the stock chain and lay it flat on the ground.
- Take the new chain and lay if flat along the old chain.
- Use some sort of marking tool to mark the chain where it needs to be cut.
- Before cutting the chain, double check to make sure that you will be able to connect the two ends together with the new master link. If you cut the link in the wrong spot, you will have to take another link out of the chain which will make the chain much shorter.
- Use a chain press tool to push out the pin from the correct link on the chain.
- Now that your new chain is the correct size, install the chain and make sure that the closed end of master link clip is pointing in the same direction that the chain travels.
- Check for chain slack at a mid point between the front and rear sprockets. Adjust the chain tension so that there is between 15-25mm of slack in the chain. When adjusting the chain slack, do not rely on the notches on the stock swing arm to properly line up the chain for you, as these notches are frequently inaccurate. Your best bet is to rely on your eyes to make sure that the back sprocket is lined up with the front sprocket by standing behind the bike and looking straight down the chain.
- Apply whatever brand of chain lube you prefer and go ride!
If you are going to be installing a new chain on an extended swing arm, a little more work is involved. The first thing you will need to do is determine where you would want the rear wheel to sit. In theory, a wheel that is closer to the front of the swing arm will create a shorter wheelbase which will cause the bike to turn faster, however the bike will not feel as stable at high speed. Shorter wheelbase bikes are also easier to wheelie. Placing the tire towards the rear of the bike will cause the bike to turn slower, yet the bike will be more stable at speed. Longer wheelbase bikes are usually harder to wheelie as well. Depending on the type of terrain you ride, determine what kind of set up you would prefer and lock your rear wheel into position. Once you wheel is locked into position, remove the new chain from its package and clean it off thoroughly. To complete the install process, you will need to do the following:
- Install the new chain around both sprockets and allow it hang freely from a mid point on the swing arm.
- Grab both ends of the chain and pull the chain as tight as possible.
- Once the chain is stretched as tight as possible, mark off the link that will need to be cut.
- Before cutting the chain, double check to make sure that you will be able to connect the two ends together with the new master link. If you cut the link in the wrong spot, you will have to take another link out of the chain which will make the chain (and wheelbase) much shorter. Keep in mind that the link that needs to be removed may not allow you to place your tire exactly where you want it. If for some reason you are not sure about which link to cut, remember that you can always remove links, but you can never replace them. That being said, it is always better to have to re-cut a chain versus having to buy another chain.
- Use a chain press tool to push out the pin from the correct link on the chain.
- Now that your new chain is the correct size, install the chain and make sure that the closed end of master link clip is pointing in the same direction that the chain travels.
- Check for chain slack at a mid point between the front and rear sprockets. Adjust the chain tension so that there is between 15-25mm of slack in the chain. When adjusting the chain slack, do not rely on the notches on the swing arm to properly line up the chain for you, as these notches may be inaccurate. Your best bet is to rely on your eyes to make sure that the back sprocket is lined up with the front sprocket by standing behind the bike and looking straight down the chain.
- Apply whatever brand of chain lube you prefer and go ride!
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