Honda CBR600: Time to Change the Chain & Sprockets?
Should you change the chain and sprockets on a motorcycle that’s reached a certain age and mileage? If you don’t know the bike’s history, it’s one thing you may need to do.
Partzilla's resident motorcycle expert John Talley livestreams on our YouTube channel every Friday at 3pm Eastern, and in this live Q&A session, John was asked if he recommends a chain and sprocket replacement for a Honda CBR600 that’s over a decade old.
Honda CBR600 Chain & Sprockets Replacement
I bought an 07 Honda CBR 600RR with around 9,500 miles on it. Would it be recommended to change out the chain and sprockets just due to the age of the bike?
John Talley: Well, it’s kind of a double-edged sword but when I get a machine that I don’t know its complete history, there are certain things that I go ahead and do. I mean, definitely change the air filter and the oil and oil filter, then go through an overall inspection of the bike. If the sprocket — chances are it’s not the original sprocket and chain on it — but if the chain isn’t adjusted all the way out, and you still have teeth that look good on the sprocket itself, let it go. I mean, let it keep going. There’s no reason to change it out unless those teeth are actually worn over, from where the chain is having its way with them. I think we did a video on how to inspect chains and sprockets, so check that one out.
As John mentioned, we did a video on how to inspect the chain and sprockets, as well as how to replace them, on a Honda CBR600. The video covers how to adjust a chain that still has some life in it; how to evaluate the chain; and how to get it removed. The front and rear sprocket replacements are covered, as well as how to align the rear wheel and install the master link to close the new chain.
Watch the video below to see how to do a chain and sprocket replacement on a Honda CBR600 motorcycle.
Watch the video below to see how to adjust the chain on a Honda CBR600 motorcycle.
Want to see more live repair questions answered? See more motorcycle and ATV repair questions answered here.
