Final & Primary Drive Parts & Kits
About Final & Primary Drive Parts & Kits
Final drive is the last stage of power delivery, the chain, belt or shaft that turns the rear wheel, and primary drive is the earlier stage between the engine and the clutch. Riders shop here for a stretched or rusty chain, hooked sprockets, a worn belt, a broken chain guide, or a change in gearing.
On the final drive side, Final Drive Belts & Chains and Sprockets are the main wear items, and Final Drive Kits bundle them for a specific model. Chain listings give a size code such as 520 or 530 and a link count, and the sprockets must match the chain size. Guards & Guides protect the chain run, Drive Belt Pulleys & Tensioners suit belt-drive bikes, and Driveshafts & Parts suit shaft-drive models. Other Belt, Chain & Sprocket Parts is there for the small parts.
Primary drive parts are in Primary Drive Belts & Chains, Primary Drive Housings & Covers and Primary Drive Kits. Fitment depends on model and year, so pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page, and use the motorcycle chain size chart to decode chain sizes.
Brands here include Athena, D.I.D, Comet, Bolt and Cobra. The group is part of Transmission & Drivetrain.
FAQs on motorcycle chains, belts and sprockets
How much slack should a motorcycle drive chain have?
Slack is measured at the tightest point of the chain, and the correct range is in your owner's manual. A chain that is too tight strains the bearings and wears quickly, and one that is too loose can slap or jump off the sprockets. Check it regularly.
Can I change my bike's gearing with different sprockets?
Yes. Fewer teeth on the front sprocket or more on the rear gives lower gearing, with quicker acceleration and lower speed at the same engine rpm. The opposite gives taller gearing. A different tooth count may also need a different chain length and axle adjustment.
Can I switch from a chain to a belt drive?
Only with a conversion made for your model. A belt is quiet and needs no lubrication, but it runs on its own pulleys and needs a drivetrain designed for it. A bike built for a chain cannot take a belt by swapping the part alone.
Why should the chain and both sprockets be replaced together?
A worn chain wears the sprocket teeth, and worn sprockets quickly wear a new chain. Replacing the chain, front sprocket and rear sprocket as a set gives even wear and avoids a new part wearing out early.
Do belt and chain drives need different care?
Yes. A chain needs regular cleaning, lubrication and tension checks. A belt needs no lubricant, but it should be inspected for cracks, missing teeth and stone damage, and kept free of oil and debris. Check tension for either one by the method in your manual.
