Hi!

I need to change the front sprocket on a '82 kz440 ltd. The manual says i need a special tool to keep the sprocket(and the shaft) from turning when I loosen/tighten the nut. Well, I don't have the tool, so I wa wondering what you guys do. I'm sure I can grab it with a big set of adj. jaw pliers with tape on the jaws or something, but I don't want to mess up my new gear.

Any Tips?

George

 

Get a piece of wood and wrap a towel around it (chain still on w/rear wheel and sprocket), that will stop it from turning. Most importantly, it is impossible without airtools, trust me, I just went through this a few months ago. Good luck.

 

Oh crap. I don't have access to air tools. I'm just a backyard mechanic...If you tell me that it's hopeless to attempt, i guess I will have to truck the bike to a garage.

Or, do you think that I should give it a shot any way?

That was a good tip, try to get the front sprocket nut off while the chain and rear wheel are still on! At least I can have someone stand on the rear brake too. I dont give a crap about the sprockes and chain that are on the bike, they are 100% shot.

I'll see if i can get any wd-40 on the nut, maybe it'll help me crack it.

George

 

I tried everything and it wouldn't work, but maybe you will have better luck. If you have a compressor go to homedepot and rent the tools, or rent both for a few hours. Still should be cheaper than paying a mech. to do it. I just used my compressor and borrowed an impact from a buddy.

 

If you can't get the thing off, and have to use an impact. Can you load the bike up, take it to your local tire store ( big-o, etc.) and they prob wouldn't charge you a thing to whap a nut off. Buy the mechanic a Large Dr. Pepper, and good to go.

 

I prefer the buddy standing on the rear brake as you use your socket and breaker bar to take off the nut. Just make sure that the nut washer is smooth and not binding on the cs nut.

 

Thanks everyone..I am not going to get a chance to try for a few days at least. I'll try Dragone's first, and if I can't get it, I'll take it to a shop and just ask them to crack it for me.

George

 

Good luck bro... :-)

 

Well, I got a chance to work on it today, and boy am I lucky I did...I was getting advice to not change the front sprocket...glad I didn't take it! As soon as I flattened out that nut-captivating washer, the sprocket nut just spun right off, it wasn't even finger tight! Yikes! and to think I rode it a few miles home from where I bought it.

The problem then was tightening the nut! There is a hole in the sprocket that I was able to use to stop the gear from turning while I tighten the nut, but I could not get the full rated torque on the nut. But it's sure alot tighter than it was. I can snug it up once I get the new chain on...

Now on to the rear sprocket...

George