Sprockets and Chain

right now looking at the Vortex 520 steel rear or the Vortex CAT 5

For front looking at either JT or Sunstar

Sweet, let us know what you get.

Vortex has a reputation for wearing a little fast. Check out Driven Sprockets and an DID ERV3 520 chain.

Do you plan on running stock? I like the DID kits personally. Good price and has everything you need. Sometimes you don't know if you are getting rivet or clip though. I am hoping they list the 2013+ by the time I need one.

DKK-002

plan on running stock gearing. Which is a better chain o-ring or roller thanks again

Well, an o-ring chain is a roller chain. For street bikes, you want the o-ring type which is a bit more confusing now since the nicer ones come with x-rings or other sorts of rings that supposedly have less friction and protect better than an o-ring.

Can anyone tell me if it is normal for the front sprocket nut to be insanely tight? The service manual says to "apply rear brake pressure" while loosening it. It's so tight the brake slips. It's not reverse threaded is it?

Yeah, can be really difficult, normal threads. I used a 2x4 in the rear wheel and a breaker bar on the 650. Not sure if that works on the ZX6R. A good air wrench can help also.

XPyrion said:

I like the DID kits personally. Good price and has everything you need. Sometimes you don't know if you are getting rivet or clip though. I am hoping they list the 2013+ by the time I need one.

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Check out their website: D.I.D. Racing Chains & DirtStar® Rims there is all info about whether there should be clip or rivet with chain.


If you want durability and you ride on street, you should buy DID ZVMX, ERV3 is for racing so it probably won't last as long.

I recently put on my bike ZVMX and JT sprockets, but only managed to ride once because of winter so far...

And also rear brake wasn't enough to stop wheel from spinning and long breaker bar was needed in my case.

JT and Sunstar makes some nice sprockets that will last long time, good chain to choose from will be EK or DID. Why not drop tooth up front since 07-08 have worst low end power?

I just put my new set on yesterday that I got from www. sprocketcenter.com I got the:

520 CHAIN KIT - SUPERLITE RS7 STEEL SPROCKET SET WITH EK 520 MVXZ CHAIN (9 COLORS) - KAWASAKI ZX-6R '03-04

Make sure you have the correct length before you put on the master link. I had to remove 2 links.

Front sprocket was a pain in the ass too cuz it kept spinning even with the rear brakes on. I think if I had to do it over again, I would've loosened it before taking the rear tire and chains off just to help. Also, it's not reverse thread

Corr said:

Check out their website: D.I.D. Racing Chains & DirtStar® Rims there is all info about whether there should be clip or rivet with chain.

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I only mentioned it because when you order from Amazon, you may not get what you think you are supposed to. It was random for a few of us ordering kits for the 650.

thanks for all the knowledge ill take a look

The most bang for the buck ur gonna get is the DID 520 vx2 chain from amazon. It comes with JT sprockets which have been fine on my bike for the last Thousand miles or so. The chain however came with a clip type master link. I had to buy a rivet type master link separately for about 5 bucks I think.

I recently purchased Vortex 1 down front 2 up rear lightweight black steel sprockets and Renthal 520-R3-2 Works O-Ring gold Chain. Havent rode yet due to snow... however they look great. Also Chain came with both rivet link and clip link in box (clip for emergencies). Front sprocket is one tough nut to crack, takes some extra juice and easier with a friend. Block off the back tire and get your snipe on! I did get an idea but not sure if its a good one... try heating up the nut?? anyone?

Needing a new chain and sprockets as well and def going with a Gold chain this time around. I'm really torn between changing gearing or not, don't want to throw my mileage off...if I've done my research correctly though 112 links on the chain is stock and will work for either -1, +2, or -1+2 right?

I've gotten the most miles from sunstar sprockets and DID x-ring chain combo.

rmueck said:

Can anyone tell me if it is normal for the front sprocket nut to be insanely tight? The service manual says to "apply rear brake pressure" while loosening it. It's so tight the brake slips. It's not reverse threaded is it?

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yes ur front sprocket is extremely hard to get broke loose,its suppose to be set 92 fpt.i used a 16 inch torque wrench,with a bar in the rim resting on the swingarm to stop it from spinning.and had the brake held down with it in gear and and buddy sitting on the bike and i still pick the ass end up with him on it.the best way i found to do it is either get u a strong breaker bar with a cheater pipe which thats what i did and i still almost didnt get it off.i would use a impact wrench with atleast 400 fpt on it.