I need a xs500 /tx500 1974 cam chain link. Anyone in the world have one, it's cost me $100.00 to buy the cam chain, of course it comes with no master link! Great. Scott Beach 303-521-8346

have it checked for a broken timing belt/chain ( service time is 5 years or 60,000 miles or 100,00 klm)
run the fault codes to check for crank/cam shaft position sensors , ING fuse failure , immobilizer problem or ECM failure

obviously some people dont read the questions before they answer but my first question would be why are you wanting to replace the cam chain but that aside heres a reasonable tip for most of japenese overhead cam fourstrokes.......if you do in fact have a " master link" then remove your valve cover and magneto cover and get your timing marks lined up.Take a picture or make some marks with a sharpie or whatever you need to have a reference point for timing marks. Take 2 pieces of flexible coated wire like some heavy guage speaker wire and cut off prob 5 feet or so twice. Take one piece and loop it around the last roller in front of your link your removing and do the same to the other side. with those two tied off loosely to your frame from above remove your link. So the front side should be suspending the front half of the chain to the frame above and the rear side of the separated chain should be suspended by the other wire. Now join your new chain to the old chain hanging off the front side with your master link. remove all tension from your cam chain tensioner then your ready to do some threading. Lay your new chain off the front of the motor hanging down somewhere it wont be collecting debris. this is where you need an assistant. Have your friend hold the new chain up and off to the front and keep sufficient pressure so slack wont fall inside the motor and jam up then take the back side wire and start slowly with your right hand lifting the backside of the old chain out as your turning your magneto counterclockwise with your left hand. Make sure you and your friend keep sufficient pressure on the chain ends to keep the chain contacting the bottom sprocket. So the rear chain holder is actually pulling the old chain out and turning the whole rotating assembly with the magneto in a delicate dance till the new chain is up out of the rear casing and the friends chain is ready to get sucked into the front end. If its a dual overhead motor then drape the front slack over the front cam sprocket and have friend hold their hand ontop while the rear segment holder removes the old chain then drapes the end of the new chain over the rear sprocket then replace masterlink which should be acheivable if your cam chain tensioner was allthe way out Now reapply chain tension with tensioner and re verify all timing marks. any adjustments can be made right there between cams to line up everything. Buy your friend a 6 pack of suds and and go for a nice ride tomorrow after you and your friend have slept off the celebration 6 packs from last night. good luck

You should go to a bike shop, they can sell you a master link, and keep your own chain. Is your grandson's bike a 1 speed or a multi speed bike, if it is multi then you need a chain tool. Bike shops can do the job cheaper than you can buy the tool and it will be done right. Take the chain back to the store that didn't carry the tool.

Bike chains have one link that you can take apart. Look at all of the links and you will find one that looks different. you can use a straight screwdriver to push the removable keeper off the link and it will come apart so you can remove the chain.

For more info:
http://www.bicyclinglife.com/HowTo/ChangeAChain.htm

Well, first of all, if you've never done this before, then don't. It can be costly and get complicated and will require someone who knows what they are doing. Some cam chains can be replaced by simply breaking the old one with a chain breaker and hooking the new one to it, then pull it straight thru the engine until the joined end shows again. Then you'll have to remove the cam keepers, in order to get enough slack on the chain to join it. Then the cams have to be timed again with the new chain to the crank. If you do either step wrong it could get very costly. Believe me, you don't need valves going down when the pistons are coming up after you try to start it. Especially, don't try to start it with the starter or kick starter if it has one. Put a wrench on the flywheel bolt and turn it in the appropriate direction and hope to God it doesn't go tight.

Good luck
skidooer

For a honda 1999-2000 CBR600

you will need a 108 chain link. This is the standard link considering your front teeth has 15 and rear has 45.

If you're not sure of the chain length, buy the 120 link 530 Heavy Duty chain. THe longer the better, you can always cut the chain (using a chain cutter and repair kit) if its excessive.



I recommend you buy the gold chain-type.

Lift the chain with one finger then turn the crankshaft several full turns by hand. Inspect the full length of the chain during rotation. Any obvious damage? Does the chain revolve smoothly around your finger? If all seems okay then the problem is probably not in the lower end. Some chains are continuous and do not have a master link. Some do have a master link. If you have a master link then separate the chain by removing the link then place both ends of the chain onto the cam sprocket and reconnect the link. If you have a continuous chain I would need to see first hand what is going on. In any event, be certain the timing marks on the flywheel and overhead cam are correctly lined up during installation.

Locate the tensioner locknut on the right-hand cilinder (bottom): -keep the engine idling for about two or three minutes -loosen the locknut about two turnes while idling -the chain tensioner will slide into the proper position -tighten the locknut to secure the tensioner position and stop the engine -repeat every 3000km or 2000mls