Katana Owners Club U.K.

My bike is doing my feckkin crust in
I cure one problem only to find another one. While riding it the other day I thought the transmission felt rough so I decided to have a look at the chain. Horror of horrors the split link is a none "O" ring type and the actual spring clip was missing I've removed the chain & given it a thorough clean and it looks like the previous owner was telling the truth when he said he fitted a new chain and sprockets. The rear sprocket looks new and there doesn't seem to be any play in the carrier so I just need to check the front sprocket is good and held on to the output shaft tight. I've ordered a new 630 "O" ring split link to put it all back together so fingers crossed all will be well
Oh before I forget these things do use 630 chains don't they?

Split link! Are you barmy? We have a chain riveter at my house. No way should you hope that th fish plate will stay on hand chain for very long.

As for 630 as yours is an SD model I would measure the chain first......but o ring with soft link.

fossie wrote:Split link! Are you barmy? We have a chain riveter at my house. No way should you hope that th fish plate will stay on hand chain for very long.

As for 630 as yours is an SD model I would measure the chain first......but o ring with soft link.

Barmy? well yes but I thought you knew that?
Thanks for the offer boss, I must return your vac gauges now your back from galavanting around France
Yes I know people have different views about split links but I’ve never had a problem with them on road & race bikes including my 150bhp gsxr1100 Suz (the best bike I’ve ever had) I like to remove my chain occasionally to properly clean it which is not so simple with a riveted chain.
Popcorn & beer at the ready

Never had a problem either although I now have a chain rivet tool so rivet link them currently

Well the deeper I look into this bike the more worried I get
After taking the chain off and finding the split link missing I decided to check the front sprocket tonight. First thing I noticed the locking tab wasn’t knocked over, then the nut was only finger tight! The sprocket seemed to have a lot of sideways play and when I removed the three countersunk screws from the side plates the two rubber rings virtually fell apart! Looking in my parts book these aren’t listed? does anyone know where I can get them from?

I think that the side plates and rubber rings you have mentioned are part of the attempt to reduce noise of the chain on the sprocket. Don’t think they were a separate item.

If you are not in a hurry I may have a pukka 630 front sprocket in the shed, most people including me run 530 C&S though.

I am at work at moment and not home ‘til Monday or possibly even Tuesday next week if that’s ok

front sprocket rubbers are just to bring the noise down to satisfy the men from the ministry, most aftermarket sprockets dont have them, so dont fret. also dont worry about a bit of lateral movement of the sprocket on the splines, its not a big problem, and the bit of movement allows the sprocket to stay in contact with the moving chain.

and for future reference, the 630 chain is a bit of a throwback to the era when chains werent very good, modern chains allow stuff like the hyabust to put nigh on 200bhp on the road through a 530 pitch, so id not worry too much about using a 630, also for folks fitting wider wheels, going down a pitch on the chain size might give an extra mm or two of clearance round the tyre.

So, I phoned Robinsons today and apparently the rubbers ain't available
I can buy a genuine Suzuki sprocket assembly complete with new rubbers, screws & side plates but I didn't dare ask the price I've ordered some 5mm "O" ring cord instead (£3.50) so I can make my own and a couple of locking tabs as the one I took off was rather butchered. I've cleaned all the old chain lube up from the motor around the sprocket and also inside the sprocket cover which weirdly is filled with foam rubber? Is this normal on the Kat?
Hopefully I'll be back on the road at the weekend.
If I ever meet the previous owner in gonna confiscate his tools/hammer collection and then just to be sure he never goes near another bike I'll murder him

Yes the foam is normal, guess its another noise suppressor