Has anyone replace the drive chain and sprockets on their Pan America? Thought it would be a simple job. There is no master link in the Drive Chain or the replacement chain. I was going to do it on Center Stand, but center stand has to be removed as do chain guards and fender down by swing arm. Center Stand has to be down to remove from what I can see.

 

have you bought the replacement chain yet ? If so did it have a connecting link packaged separately did the chain come in one-piece or unlinked / broken ? I'm just guessing have no experience on motorcycle chains

https://www.reginachain.net/motorcyc...nutenzione.pdf

 

 

I think rather than pulling off the center stand, shifter, etc, it may be easier to use a chain breaker to pop a pin out of the old chain and get the old chain off, then buy an aftermarket chain and rivet on the connecting link on the new chain … that way all the work can be done on the center stand.
You could buy a clipped master link and still have the old chain for use as a spare, which would be replaceable in the field if needed.

 

Thanks Mike, that pretty much what I though after studying the bike for a bit.

 

Removing the center stand doesn't look like a big deal, but looks like I'm going to need to build something that will allow me to jack the bike up without damaging it.

 

If you are not planning to change the front sprocket here is a pro tip: use a chain breaker to push one of the pins out to separate the chain. Then, use a master link to join the old and new chain. Then use the rear wheel to pull the chain out from the front sprocket while it also pulls the new one in. Now all there is left to do is remove the link, remove the old chain, then use the link to join the new chain back together. As an alternate you could use the chain breaker to push the pin back in to join the chain.

I am not sure but a linked chain may be weaker than a spliced chain so if you plan to do some elevated speeds it may be better to NOT use a master link. Like I say, that may or may not be the case but I thought I would toss that turd in the soup.

 

FWIW, I was having to adjust the OEM chain every 500-700 miles; I replaced it with a DID VMX 530, adjusted it at 100 miles, and hasn't moved in over
4000 miles

 

Springs are only concern with removing center stand. Lifting it, the places to put the jack are not flat like a touring bike.

 

2 options for removing the center stand without jacking up the bike

1 - get a wheel chock, I have the heavy duty one from harbor freight and it works great.
2 - get a friend to help, they sit on the bike and hold it upright while you do the work.