630 - 530 Chain Conversion

So today I started my 630 to 530 chain conversion. I plan cleaning and reconditioning the rear drum brake and replace the rear bearings at the same time. So, I was dreading having to do it due to the rear wheel bearing removal. Which I have seen others here have a lot of trouble with. And it seems like with my bike, everything is a challenge. Anyhow, my first challenge is taking off the front sprocket. Doesn't want to budge. I'm using a 24" breaker bar and am scared I will break the socket or something even worse if I apply too much force. Can I put heat on the output nut shaft? I didn't want to do so in case there was some kind of rubber seal on the shaft that could get damaged by the heat. I have it soaking with penetrating oil for now. I'm sure the PO had wrenched down good cause the washer tab is broken off. So I guess that is how he compensated. This sprocket shaft/nut isn't reverse thread is it? If thread is normal direction, would using an impact driver work better than a breaker bar method?

Throw some penetrating oil on it like LPS2 or similar. Then with the chain still on it to help hold it, use an impact. Should work to pop it loose. I believe I remember it being a standard thread, so it shouldn't be reverse. Let the oil sit for a while and keep trying it. If completely desperate, and you're willing to buy a new nut, slot the nut with a drem and cutoff wheel which will break the thread tension and should loosen quite easily.

Cory

If you use a length of chain to hold the sprocket as shown in the link below there's no stress on anything but the sprocket nut and sprocket spline and teeth so there's not much that can break. Ed

kzrider.com/forum/5-chassis/513940-81-cs...ocket-removal#514302

Thanks Ed, Cory. I was having my wife applying the rear brake. But I think it may be better to bolt it like your picture Ed. I was scared that the socket was going to break. I mean I'm using at least a 2 foot breaker bar. I may try some heat on the nut. Not too much, cause I don't want it to effect any seals. But at least as hot as I would expect it to become when the engine is running. If that fails I will take Cory's suggestion cut the nut. Will order a new nut if I have to.

Just a quick follow up. I was able to get the front sprocket nut off finally a couple of days ago. Its a good thing it was tight like it was, because the washer was never bent over the nut. Anyhow, after soaking a day with penetrating oil it still wasn't coming off. I was using a 30mm socket with 2' breaker bar. So I applied some Marvel Mystery Oil and then applied the torch to the nut, but very light (ten seconds or so). I didn't want to damage any of the rubber seals behind the sprocket with too much heat. I could see the Marvel oil cooking. Afterwards, I gave it one more try and it gave way. Don't know if the Marvel Mystery Oil was the cure, but I had used this method on a shock bushing before, when everything else had failed. Seems to be a winning combination.

Next you gotta try a little Marvels and heat on those bearings

Good luck
JD

bluej58 wrote: Next you gotta try a little Marvels and heat on those bearings

Good luck
JD

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Thanks buej58, that's exactly what I did. Not messing around with these press fittings any more. The first try I only used heat the without success . Then I used some Marvels with heat but this time also used a 1/2 stock steel rod instead of the drift. The steel rod was a big improvement. All the bearings came out without a fuss.

Now, next issue. I couldn't tell how the spacer was oriented between the bearings. Should the ridge face the sprocket side or should it face the drum side. I have seen parts diagram showing each way. But I think for my bike it should face the sprocket side, but for an LTD the disk side (mine is drum). Anybody know? Functionally I don't think it matters, but for removing the bearings the next time (if there ever will be a next time), the side without the ridge is the side to push out of the way when tapping the bearing out. I'm thinking that is why only one ridge exists. Any ideas?