[Ksnarf]

how hard is this?

i work on cars all the time, but all the other bikes i have owned have been shaft drive, so chain drive is a little different.

 

[ZX-2R]

NOT HARD!

IF you like your gear ratio then you can get exactly the same size front rear and chain links. Changing the gear ratios is easy especially if you are going to change the sprockets. Without going into a lot of detail, you can order a good pair and a chain from Beartooth Kawasaki and get a chain breaker as well. You break the chain or pull the master link if it already has one, then change out the sprockets...lay the old chain next to the new one so that you don't have to count all of the links then mark and break the chain and install it and use the master-link...read the instructions the master link is directional. Barring any difficulties you could do it in about an hour if you haven't done it before. Having friends help is cool. you can also order the chainsets out of the magazines and all but if you are going to spend the money on a good chain go for the best and then you will want to lubricate and clean it because it should last you a very long time. Most people will advise changing both sprockets at the same time to avoid any wear problems. Sometimes it is really obvious and sometimes it isn't, but if you are going to do the job, you may as well do the whole job and then yo won't be having any problems, from not doing it... It is very straight forward, not difficult...word of advice...use some newspaper even if you do it on concrete...you won't get any dust on your chain and when you are done the paper folds up real nice and you can still toss it out. Personally I like to adjust it, ride it, then lube it real good while it is still warm...then remember to check it for proper slack...like you are supposed to...

 

[ZX-2R]

MISSED SOMETHING

If you are happy with your gearing then get the exact number of front and rear tooth sprockets. IF you don't need all that top end speed (also cruising fuel economy) then go to a larger rear sprocket (which will require more chain links than you currently have) and you can really make your bike scream with power. add about 3 teeth to what your rear sprocket is and you will notice a difference. Not quite as much top end, but it will get you there faster...first gear, second and maybe third gear will be a little more sensative to the throttle, so be careful when you first start riding in familiar areas and shifting. going througha corner before shifting is a good thing, shifting in a corner...NOT a good thing...