New chain and sprockets for the GSXR

It was time.  I'd been putting it off for a while and I was getting fed up with having to adjust the chain on the GSXR after every ride!  

New sprockets were ordered from www.bikegearwarehouse.com.au - the chain I already had waiting.

Vortex front sprocket, 17 tooth (standard)
Driven rear sprocket,  43 tooth (1 tooth more - K7 gearing)
DID Gold X-ring 530 chain.

I'm not changing the gearing too much, but this will give the K6 that slight extra snap in acceleration and the wheelbase is also reduced.  Wheelies should be easier than ever. After removing a few links from the chain, the adjusters are all the way forward. 

The black, stealth sprocket is looking good.  The hollow rivets in the chain link have mushroomed nicely with the rivet tool.  We are green for go.  Early morning ride coming up and hopefully no more of this constant adjusting!

Results spur you on

This is what restoration is all about.  Taking something that looks fit for the bin and bringing it back to life. The clutch cover.

A quick wire brush, a rub with some wet and dry and I reckon it'll be ready.  Nearly.

Oil pump drive removed along with the clutch actuating mechanism.  The inside of the cover is in superb condition!  The outside not so.  Time for the Dremel fitted with a tiny wire brush.

The Dremel did the business - now for the paint.  This time I armed myself with paint stripper.  

Fantastic stuff!  Just need a scraper (plastic filler spreader is ideal because it won't scratch the metal) and we're away.  Better to wear gloves when doing this because that stuff stings a bit!

Time for the 120 grit wet and dry and a wash in the sink while no-one's about... 'looks around nervously'.

Time to get back in the garage before I get found out.

It's a good idea to clean out all of the threads.  Corrosion, instant gasket (silicone) and damaged threads all cause havoc when rebuilding so sort it out as you go along.  A good tap and die set is a must when restoring.

Right, let's give it a whirl.

That'll ding dang do for me.  Just needs the paint rubbing off the letters and it'll be right.

Not too bad to be fair.  Time to make a start on the stator cover.

Mixing paints - I knew it would happen!!!!

So the oil pump cover was painted.  Job jobbed, but then I wasn't happy with the gloss and decided satin would be the better finish.  Satin paint would also hide the light pitting in the cases.  Flatting them with 120 grit wet and dry has helped, and considering they are 35 years old, they aren't too bad... anyway, off to see Angus at Cheapa Auto Spares and the supplies were bought. 

VHT Engine Enamel in satin black as recommended by Davey
Autosol to polish up the aluminium bits and bobs
600 wet and dry to flat the oil pump cover painted a week earlier.


I set to work on the cover quick smart.  Flatted it off with water and the 600 paper and soon had it ready for painting.  Any shiny bits were keyed up with a scourer and a final degrease with brake cleaner before it was ready for another coat.  A light dust coat to start with but before I could even walk away, the reaction started!  The VHT reacted with the Sperex and I was faced with rubbing it back to bare metal again - oh how I laughed.


An hour later, the gloopy mess was cleaned off and I was ready to start again.  Still, now I was ready to paint the clutch and the oil pump cover.