Afternoon, DTR.

I am helping a buddy replace a rear sprocket on a honda shadow. I've never done it before, is it straight forward, just put the bike on jack stands, pull cover and nut, replace? Or, is there more to it?

Here are some pics...

 

not sure about your bike,but on all sport bikes i have had there is not much to it. you should have rubber dampeners inside the wheel hub just make sure you put them back the same way they came out.when you pull the axle the wheel hub center that the sprocket bolts to can come off, i would loosen sprocket bolts before you take the wheel off everything is real straight forward .when you put the wheel back on leave 1 half inch of slack in the chain

 

i got a bike very similar to that.... if its a different tooth count on the new sprocket you might need a different chain, other than that just make sure you loosen the sprocket before pulling the axle. i believe you want a little more then a 1/2 inch slack in the chain, when you put weight on the bike the chain will tighten some, should be 3/4 inch. the black and white sticker on the chain guard should say for sure.

 

Goot watch more O.C.C.

Haven't owned one in 12 years, but think the most technical aspect is gonna be just adjusting tension and alignment to make up the change in size due to wear and tear fo the old one. Same if trying to change size/tooth count.

 

If you are changing the sprocket due to wear, you may want to also consider installing a new chain or else the chain and sprocket may not match and one will quickly chew the other up.

 

This is normal practice. In fact, the sprocket normally will last through a couple chains if you watch them & change them when worn instead of trying to eek out the last few miles from the chain. You may have to slip the sprocket mount casing out of the cush drive to reach the other end of the mounting bolts & hold them also. Those are not necesarilly studs holding the sprocket on.

Best practice is to do both sprockets & chain at once and use a high quality O-Ring chain. O-Ring chains are good for 2 to 3 times the miles of a standard cheap chain with no need for anything other than a wash in WD40 once in a while for lube.

 

Ok.

So far, what I understand is: Straight forward, just like dropping a bicycle's rear wheel and replacing the sprocket. I should replace the chain at the same time, but it's the owners' call. Leave 3/4 inch of slack, as the sticker on the bike says.

That it?

 

yup thats it

 

Make sure he has plenty of beer

 

I'm the one with the kegerator... I'm not worried.

 

call the local dealer shop for the ft pounds on the R & R is all I can add-

only had harleys- ya know, guys with head rags and never smiling working on bikes. my hands would fall off. aren't Honda owners supposed to be at tennis practice at 4PM?

sorry , couldn't resist...

 

That one looks pretty straight forward. Looks like put it on the lift, break loose the sprocket bolts if you want, take the nut off the axle and slack up the adjusters as needed, remove axle and drop the wheel out and slip the chain off the sprocket.

On some bikes you have to remove the rear caliper, and on some you don't.

In any case, don't step on the brake pedal with the disk out of the caliper or you may push the caliper piston out past the seal.

When you reassemble be sure to torque the bolts on the sprocket to spec, and make sure all the spacers are in place when you install the axle. Get your chain adjusters even on each side, and torque the axle nut to spec. Usually they have a cotter pin and castle nut, or some sort of other retainer.