Whoa! I just priced the chain kit for the Ninja 500R through a Kawasaki dealer at $258.88.
Where can I buy the chain and both sprockets for (a lot) less?

 

http://www.ridenow.com/product/detail/RN78334.aspxabout $130 less though I cannot comment on quality. I will be looking for a new chain/sprocket kit soon too.

 

Take a look at Bikebandit.com. I've ordered a lot of items from them and they're oftentimes cheaper than dealerships.
When they made a mistake on one of my orders (out of probably 7 parts orders so far), they sent the correct replacement right away and were very professional and apologetic.
Peace!
-CCinC

 

Clicky Clicky

 

Okay, I'm looking at BikeBandits selections of sprokets for the 500R, and I don't know what the stock specs are for the number of teeth per each sprocket. I want the set that makes the bike go from 0-160 in fifteen seconds.[sm=wootwoot.gif]

 

Just for your info, this one:
http://www.ridenow.com/product/detail/RN78334.aspx
at half the price, has an aluminum rear sproket, and the chain is not continuous. (It has both clip and rivet type master links)

 

well, if you put the rivet in, then it becomes an endless chain IMO.

i got my sprockets from denniskirk.com and got the chain from a local bike shop. i forget how much it was though...

also IIRC, stock gearing is 16f 42r.

i went down 2 on the front, and whoa buddy. lots of low down acceleration... but dont ride on the freeway for too long... 7000 RPM at 70mph

[sm=icon_guiness.gif]

 

I must respectfully disagree with dragknee's assertion that a riveted link becomes an endless chain (or as good as an endless chain.). I've riveted about a dozen chains, done at least a half-dozen other 'practice-rivets', and meticulously measured the rivet flair to within a tenth of a millimeter every time, (per the factory service manual of my ZX9R.)
BUT no matter how exacting you are with the rivetting tool and micrometer, it's virtually impossible to get the rivet as perfect as the factory can make all the other links.
I get at least 20,000 miles out of every chain, (and could probably get more, if I didn't want to endanger my drive-shaft seal due to the tight-spots that inevitably form over time), but the hand-rivetted link is not going to be as perfectly spaced (and therefore as long-lasting) as a factory rivet.

And aluminum sprockets are penny-wise and pound-foolish IMO. They don't last at all.
But it's your money and your sweat, so good luck.
Peace!
-CCinC

 

I saw somewhere that the gen1 rear sprocket had 42t, while the gen2 rear sprocket had 41t.
Anyone have the specs to verify this?

 

You need to look at what your stock gearing is anbd then decide if you want to go -1 +2 which is one of the best imo. or just down 1 in the front or up 1-2 int he rear.