I'm devastated - sprocket/chain issues

79MKII wrote:

... don't have a good way to measure it....

An ordinary wood-working clamp of sufficient size may be used to measure the section width of a tire. From rear of the bike, adjust the clamp arms to fit barely touching each sidewall, then remove and measure the distance between the clamp arms. Or fab up a measuring tool with any straight-edge by affixing a right-angle arm on one end and a sliding right angle arm on the other end. You know, a country-boy micrometer.

Probably already considered, but sometimes a bias-ply tire (stiffer sidewall) will have a narrower section width than a radial tire with the same size designation. Am guessing the Avon now mounted is a radial, but am uncertain whether any bias-ply is even available in 180/55-17.

Also probably already done, but Googling 180/55-17 shows several different brands supposedly available in this size. Am guessing tire section width won't usually be shown on a website, but perhaps some email inquiries might give some idea as to which brands run narrower.

Just thoughts in hoping for you a successful resolution on such a beautiful wheel.

Good ideas on measuring the tire! I have a large clamp that I can use. I'll try it soon. I wasn't able to find any really wide bias ply tires. Both front and rear are now radial (matching Avons).

Thanks for the well wishes! I'm in too deep now to give up on this wheel!

Just lay the wheel on the floor, put a straight edge across the top, and measure from the floor to the straight edge. No fabbing required

79MKII wrote:

I have found several people willing to "help out" in making a 520 offset front sproket. Problem is the price - $150 and $250 quoted so far. Too much$$...

I don't know if this will help but I've got a 750 GPZ engine sitting here that has an offset front sprocket on it. I'm not sure what size chain the 83 to 85 GPZ used but I'm not too far away from you and you are welcome to it if you think it might help you.

Thanks Gringo! I don't think I'll need it right now, but I'll keep that in mind for sure. I have a new chain and sprockets on order so we'll see if that helps enough.

I'll try to measure the tire this weekend. Been too busy to work much on the bike

OK - got a good measurement on the rear tire. It's every bit of 184mm. Those 2 extra mm on each side would probably have been enough to clear the chain. Anyway, I received my new chain and sprockets, and with some shimming and a narrower chain, I have 4mm clearance chain to tire and at least that much to the frame. I think it just might work! I got a cool new vortex sprocket too in an awesome looking blue :woohoo:

The only place the chain hits is the nut for the footpeg stud inside the frame. I think the stud is threaded into the frame anyway, so do I really need that nut? I don't think I could remove those studs if I wanted to! What do you think about getting rid of that nut and maybe cutting the stud if necessary??

79MKII wrote:

... only place the chain hits is the nut for the footpeg stud inside the frame. I think the stud is threaded into the frame anyway, so do I really need that nut? I don't think I could remove those studs if I wanted to! What do you think about getting rid of that nut and maybe cutting the stud if necessary??

Could be misreading this, but if referring to the rear footpeg locknut, it's supposed to screw onto the peg before the peg screws into the frame. Should be no protrusion of footpeg threads and/or locknut on inside of frame toward chain.

Edit: This would apply to the Z1 and KZ900 rear footpeg style where locknut screws onto the peg before the peg screws into the frame. And is incorrect as to fitment of rear pegs on later KZ1000 models.

Post edited by: Patton, at: 2007/12/08 18:41

Post edited by: Patton, at: 2007/12/08 18:42

79MKII wrote:

The only place the chain hits is the nut for the footpeg stud inside the frame. I think the stud is threaded into the frame anyway, so do I really need that nut? I don't think I could remove those studs if I wanted to! What do you think about getting rid of that nut and maybe cutting the stud if necessary??

You're on the right track. The stud is threaded into the frame first then has the nut attached.Just remove the nut, that makes taking the stud out easier and just trim off the excess until its flush with the frame. You may have to use a pipe wrench to get the stud to loosen. Clean everything real good and give it some red threadlock to keep it in when you install it.

Easy enough.

Later, Doug

StreetfighterKz wrote:

... stud is threaded into the frame first then has the nut attached....

StreetfighterKz is correct. I was thinking KZ900 rear footpeg style :blush: where locknut screws onto the peg before the peg screws into the frame.

Perhaps the earlier more simple style (see below) could be used provided the thread size matched.

Post edited by: Patton, at: 2007/12/08 11:22

KZ900 rear footpeg

It's actually the front footpeg studs that I'm talking about. They not only thread into the frame, but protrude into the inside of the frame and also have a nut on that side. It looks like the front pegs on the 900 don't have that extra nut - they just thread into the frame like many of the rear pegs.

So, my main question was, do I really need that extra locknut inside the frame for my front footpeg when the stud is totally stuck in the frame anyway. I tried to get them out before I had the frame blasted and powdercoated and they wouldn't budge. I want to remove the nut and cut the stud inside the frame, and leave the outer part of the stud as-is to mount the footpeg. I think it will be fine based on what I've read. I'll have to keep an eye on it for a while to see if it comes loose. Maybe the whole stud would back out if I tried to remove the front footpeg again in the future, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

I'll try to post a picture later. Thanks

toss a lock washer on there before before you put it on the frame, that should keep it from backing out!

Just a thought (if you do this then you can cut a small bit less off the threaded part of the peg as well...)