Final Drive Kits
About Final Drive Kits
A final drive kit packages the chain with the front and rear sprockets, so the parts that wear together are replaced together. Riders buy one when the chain has stretched, the sprocket teeth have hooked, or it is simply time for a new set.
The samples here are mostly chain and sprocket kits and chain kits for sportbikes, listed by model and year, such as the Kawasaki ZX-6R, Yamaha R3, R6 and R1, and the Suzuki GSX-R, BMW S1000RR and Honda CBR 600 RR. Read the listing to see what a kit contains, since a chain kit and a chain and sprocket kit may differ. Choose the tooth counts as listed unless you plan to change the gearing, and then check that the chain length and axle adjustment still work. After fitting, set the chain slack and align the rear wheel as the manual describes. The samples also include a few bolt kits and flanges.
Brands here include Vortex, D.I.D, Bolt, DEI and Jims. Pick your machine in the Ride Finder at the top of the page. To buy the parts separately see Final Drive Belts & Chains and Sprockets, and see the motorcycle chain size chart for sizing. The group is Final & Primary Drive Parts & Kits.
FAQs on chain and sprocket kits
What does a chain and sprocket kit include?
Usually a drive chain with a front sprocket and a rear sprocket, plus a connecting link. Contents vary by maker, so read the listing. Some kits are chain only, so check which you are buying before you order.
Why do sprockets and chain wear out together?
A chain and sprockets mesh together, so wear on one speeds up wear on the others. A stretched chain wears the teeth, and hooked teeth wear a chain. New parts installed as a set mesh evenly and last as well as they can.
Can I change my gearing with a kit?
Choose the kit's tooth counts as listed unless you want different gearing. Changing the front or rear count alters the gearing and may need a different chain length, so check that the axle adjustment range still covers it.
How do I align the rear wheel after fitting a kit?
Use the marks on the swingarm as a starting point, then check with a straight edge or an alignment tool, because the marks can be inaccurate. Set the slack to the manual's figure, then tighten the axle nut to the specified torque.
What tools do I need to fit a chain kit?
You need a chain breaker or a press tool if the chain has a rivet link, a torque wrench for the axle nut and sprocket bolts, and a way to hold the sprocket while tightening. Your service manual lists the specifics.
