LOL Yeah, I made my last post really late last night during a hazy, semi-lucid half awakening. i went back to bed and realized that a hacksaw might work fine for cutting through the side plates of an old chain you are going to remove from the bike and just throw in the trash. For a good chain that you are going to put on the bike, you want to disconnect a link(s). Cant have any half plates hanging on the end if you ever plan to reconnect it, I suppose. Also, I would not want to put a good chain in a vise to hold it while I sawed on it with a hack saw. got the point: I NEED A BREAKER.

Motionpro is a name I recognize from queries about other special tools for bikes.

Here's the Motion Pro. Looks like they make a few of these kinds of tools if you want to check the net.

MOTION PRO CHAIN BREAKER RIVETER

Here's a pic of the RKPro I have alink to below. (anyone interested in buying any of this stuf, check around the net. Links I provide not necessarily the best price)
RK Pro Chain Breaker and Rivet Tool Kit

This is a really nice one but expensive. Think I'll be getting it though.
EK Chain Tool

Dammit, Blue---Does there need to be a chain breaker riveter tool thread NOW??? lol

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/20/2010 @ 9:59 PM *

Well...I SUPPOSE you COULD use a hacksaw...really wouldn't hurt anything...except destroy the side plates...which you won't be reusing anyway(course,you know you'd need to cut the plates while the chain is ON THE BIKE).THEN....you could get the chain off and grind those pesky pin tops off...remove the pins,and Voila!Reinstall the new master.Yep...you could do that alright.Might save ya some money on the "breaker" tool.Just buy a riveter instead.Ya....that could work .If ya have a vise to hold the cut ends with while ya pushed the cut pin links out...it could be done.

You bought a new chain right?Then all this "cutting" and such is not that critical...you won't be reinstalling your OLD CHAIN anyway.So ya...you could cut the chain off easily I would think with a saw.Maybe not...I never tried to cut a plate before.You could grind the outside pin tips off,slide that link inward and push it through...that would break the chain as well to remove it from yer bike.Might be a lot simpler to just do it like that.I think that's what I would(will) do next time around.Any "damage" you might do to the old chain won't matter.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/17/2010 @ 11:18 AM *

YA ,,,,saw or grinder would remove just about any part that you were going to throw in the scrap pile! LOL

However..

You bought a new chain right?Then all this "cutting" and such is not that critical...

I don't expect the new chain will be shipped in the exact # of links i need for whatever gearing I decide to go with. I'm going to have to break at least one time to get the right length.

you won't be reinstalling your OLD CHAIN anyway.

You never know? I'm thinking of going all the way to 17/45 and if I don't like it, I'll just be ordering a 41T rear and going back to stock. Probably would need to break the chain and remove a couple links if i go to stock from 17/45.

....not to mention, I have the busa that will need a new chain some day. ..so I think I might as well get a good chain tool.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/17/2010 @ 11:39 AM *

.in that blue chain pic there,what are those two "m" shaped deals?

Found the answer. Looks like you were right .Blue. Sroll down to second page and check out illustration. Also look at that humungoid chain tool at bottom of p2.

http://www.ekchain.com/images/EKcatalog.pdf

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/17/2010 @ 12:12 PM *

That's pretty trick then that they added that in there...very nice.Your new chain is gonna be already cut to 116...you only need to add the rivet link.You ordered for a zx14....they come stock 116.I wouldn't cut anything if ya don't NEED to.(on the new chain).That friggin tool there..ya...notice he's NOT installing on his bike!Looks SO simple doesn't it?Really,installing that master will be a cinch for ya...just get that Motionpro tool...that simple one....why pay extree for the case and EXTRACTOR pins you'll NEVER use?If your going with the EK chain there..those spacers will be excellent!Wish I'd have had those for mine when I did it.Maybe I'll search around some and see if I can find a set on the web.Very nice little part there.Motionpro has excellent customer service.I told ya I broke my extractor pin.(dumbazz me).They sent me a new one right away.No Charge.(He musta felt sorry for me)I imagine he was thinkin"what a friggin dumbsh&^...the instructions clearly state to' grind off the rivet heads' BEFORE using the extractor pin".Naturally,I had to learn the hard way .

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/17/2010 @ 12:33 PM *

OK. We'll see if they will make it the right # links for me. I think they were sold in 120 link or 150. Still need to detremine #links for 17/45. That is going to be more than 116 links, I imagine.

BTW, looks like EK makes a screw type master link that has 8MM nuts that thread onto the pins instead of a permanent mushroom compress. Looks a little risky + I don't know that i would want that one heavy spot in the chain. Interesting idea for easy install or frequent chain swaps, though.

Ya...your 17/45 is definitely gonna need a couple of links extra...at least 118.Geez...17/45...hmmm...THIS is going to be good!
If ya do this...definitely gotta give a write-up on yer results.You do know that ANY of these gear mods are gonna change your speedo read outs.I would get a healtech SpeedoHealer V4.Muzzy makes a Bonneville box as well.I like my speedohealer...healtech....she really is easy to program,and at -9%...which mine is set at higher than that for my gearing,it will bypass the limiter easily.

17/45...hope ya have some new tires ready to go!Why not just go balls out and throw a 16 on the front! can you say ...."stunta"....

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/17/2010 @ 12:43 PM *

17/45 with a 190/55 rear tire is actually slightly taller gearing than 16/42 with a 180/55 rear tire. Isn't that what you are runnin', Blue?

.You do know that ANY of these gear mods are gonna change your speedo read outs.I would get a healtech SpeedoHealer V4.Muzzy makes a Bonneville box as well.

17/45...hope ya have some new tires ready to go!Why not just go balls out and throw a 16 on the front!

DOGO wrote:

17/45 with a 190/55 rear tire is actually slightly taller gearing than 16/42 with a 180/55 rear tire. Isn't that what you are runnin', Blue?

OMG what a mindf***K! I give up! I just want 17/45 gearing and I'll worry about everything else when/if i ever understand that.

BTW, I can't get Gearing Commander to work. Plug in the make, model and version/year. hit load gearing. Nada. Anyone plug in 17/45 gearing and find out how many links I need for that gearing?
Gearing Commander

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/17/2010 @ 1:25 PM *

Just play with that Gearing Commander, Rook. You can compare 3 different setups at the same time. Cool tool!

Just play with that Gearing Commander, Rook. You can compare 3 different setups at the same time. Cool tool!

No worky. I think I'm doing something wrong. I'm on a Mac. That might be it, maybe. Probably not.

LMAO!!Ya...16/42...180/55.Gonna get a 190/55 on there next time(IF I can find one in PIRELLI!!!!!!).

You'll apparently never get the length ya need with yer 116.It's showing -11 inches!There's going to be a ten percent difference in RPM's as well with your 17/45.Top end looks like 169?MAYBE.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/17/2010 @ 1:40 PM *

No chain. Just sprockets meshing teeth. I like it. Saves me $160 right there.

At 10,000 rpm,yer "estimated" top end will be around 172 mph.In reality...it's gonna be less....probably around 165.Ya..that deal can be a tad confusing.At stock gearing...it will give you your distance with a 116 chain.NOW...enter in your modded gearing...with your 116 link deal...it'll show ya how far(forward)you need to adjust.Will ya have enough adjustment on there?...now go from your stock 116,17/41...and punch in 17/45,at 120 links.It will show ya how far ya need to adjust that axle.Will it work?(RESET at the top where you see..."the window for inches/mph"...whatever that little window is up there...you want mph,not Km's.)Decimals you can leave alone.You want 530 chain pitch as well...NOT the 625 they offer.It looks to me like a chain length of around 126,maybe 128 will give you enough adjustment room either way.See the little arrows between the "measurements"...pointing in towards each other?That's the length in inches you need to move the adjusters FORWARD(front sprocket.. to axle) from the STOCK gearing setting....whatever that is showing in inches there.IF the little arrows are pointing AWAY from each other,you have to move your axle BACKWARDS...whatever that inch measurement calls for.Do you have enough adjustment space on the axle adjuster slide?(from the stock gearing position).

At a 17/45...you need to be able to move the axle forward just a tad over two inches....assuming you're going with a 126 link chain.That should still give you enough room for fine tune slack adjustment.The center line on the swingarm plate there(the axle hash marks) is 3 inches or thereabouts.Now remove that 2 inches off yer wheelbase...better friggin hang on Rook!Can you say....12:00 HIGH? (just make sure yer clipons are nice and tight!)......NOW...to complete the package my man...you'll need a Rifleman's 1/5th throttle kit.(I've got one).$26.00...can't go wrong there.Opening er up just got a whole lot easier...(and risky with yer NEW gearing!)But you'll LOVE yer "new" powerhouse...really.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/17/2010 @ 2:08 PM *

heh I've been hesitating to reply on this one because I can't get that gear commander to work to save my life. But we'll give it one more try. Worse comes to worse, I'll just get a 150 link, wrap it around the setup and see for myself where the chain needs to be cut. But I'll get it figured out.

Huh-wow, never thought about that -- the need to pull the wheel forward. Gonna be that much huh? I'll have the camera on there. Well have some interesting wheelie vids.

That's the thing though. I think this might be way too much for me. i haven't got the balls to keep her lofted and shift into 2. Too scary. I just back off before I bounce rev limiter. Now I have this feeling I'll be lifting off in third gear. I may just be switching back to something like 17/41. But it will be fun to try something new.

Ya...get too many links on there..yeah,yer gonna HAVE to pull er forward.I really can't say what 17/45's gonna do.I KNOW what 16/43 does.And 16/42.And 17/42.She'll wheelie.But not terribly.45 is quite a jump though...could be interesting.

CORRECTION....yeah,backward!!!!What Rome said!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/17/2010 @ 6:35 PM *

I'll just get a 150 link, wrap it around the setup and see for myself where the chain needs to be cut. But I'll get it figured out.

Can't go wrong this way. Also lets you pull your axle back far as possible.

But it will be fun to try something new.

Go for it.

Mass went to 16/45 on his 14.

"I'll just get a 150 link, wrap it around the setup and see for myself where the chain needs to be cut. But I'll get it figured out." Can't go wrong this way. Also lets you pull your axle back far as possible.

Do you suppose there might be a chance that 150 links would NOT be enough?

Are you adding a extension ?

No way. Not for this bike. But I do like your idea of pulling the axle back as far as possible. At least until I see how wheelie prone this is going to be.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/17/2010 @ 8:12 PM *

Do you suppose there might be a chance that 150 links would NOT be enough?

LOL. A little frustrated??? See if this calculator works on your MAC.
I haven't played with it but it looks like it will tell ya what you need to know.
I'd think you'd be fine with 118 links for 17/45, but would order 120 just to be safe.
Belt Length - Chain Length and RPM @ 60 MPH

Also lets you pull your axle back far as possible.

I like mine as far forward as possible... but I'm a little crazy... but apparently not as crazy as Mass... 16/45... and what's his bike weigh??? Maybe 450lbs wet???

Thanks Dogo. That seems to work.. I'm going to need to find the exact distance center to center of the sprockets in order to get and exact calculation.

* Last updated by: Rook on 12/17/2010 @ 10:48 PM *

I'd think you'd be fine with 118 links for 17/45, but would order 120 just to be safe.

Both pics below show 118 link. The bike adjusters are set up so that I could go back to 44 or up to 46. Little did I know at the time that 45 would be my longest running favorite gear ratio. I loved the 17/45 so much that it was a carry over to the new rims with different sprockets. I just wished(now)that I pulled my axle back further when I cut the chain. Simply because I know I am never going the other direction again. You can always shorten but,,,,,,, U know the rest. 120 sounds perfect. Lend me a couple links please lol. Your going to love it. Makes the bike feel 50 lbs lighter. If I do go with a taller tire someday the 46 will be going on with a longer chain,,, maybe,,,, 17/45 is this bikes sweet spot, 4 me anyway. Cheers.

* Last updated by: Romans on 12/18/2010 @ 4:03 AM *

Rook, one tooth down in front is equal to about 2 1/2 up in back. If you go 16/43 you'll actually be geared slightly lower than the 17/45 you want to try, but you'll be able to use a stock length chain. When you put a 16 tooth on the front it lets your wheel slide way back, and gives you room for much bigger rear sprockets, without all the breaking chains and adding/subtracting lengths. You could prolly go bigger than a 43, in fact I'd bet big money you could put a 44 or 45 on back all without having to touch the chain. And if you want to go back stock you have the stock length chain so all you're sprocket swaps would be bolt and go's. There's nothing wrong with running a 16 tooth front sprocket, my busa's had one from 1200 miles and its no noiser than the stocker was. It had a slight hum for the first few miles but that went away quick. You're exhaust will cover any slight noise an aftermarket 16 tooth front will make. Or get the Zephyr damped 16 front Lots of guys run 16's just as long as 17's with no issues, and it'll make you're sprocket swapping a whole lot easier

That much gearing might take away the easygoing, smooth, but brutally fast feel of the 14 tho. Its such a sweet ride with close to stock gearing, I'd hate to have it all wound up on the highway like my busa, all busy and extra vibes. I think you might miss some of that easy going nature that the 14 delivers so well. But you ARE going to LOVE the brutal, in your face, yank the bars out of your hands every time you twitch the throttle acceleration you're going to get. Every time you twist that throttle, at pretty much any rpm, you're going to feel like the incredible hulk just gave you a huge shove from behind.........its VERY addictive. Thats why my busa still has that gearing lol. Just be ready to shift a whole lot sooner and quicker And a speedohealer is going to be a must have