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Need help changing rear sprocket on my dirt bike

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2021 3:20 pm
by armedpolak
Last thing I want to do to my 2017 Yamaha WR250F is to install stock 51 teeth sprocket; it currently has 53 or 54 I'm not sure. in any case it's too much torque for me as a new dirt bike rider (it wasn't an issue on my cruiser nor sport bike but this is different to me).

I live in Coral Springs, and I can't really transport the bike since I don't have a trailer yet. BUT, I am willing to pay good money to a motorcycle mechanic or someone who knows his shit, who could come to my house and assist me in the process. I have all the tools except the 26mm wrench for the axle nut; I have a torque wrench, and a total of 300 different tools between 2 huge husky tool sets :D I also don't have a lift, but I do have a stand for the bike to be put on... but to be perfectly hones I do not have the strength to put the bike up on the stand :(

I imagine for a competent mechanic it's an hour long job, perhaps a bit longer or shorter. I will pay your (or a fair mechanic rate), whatever it is, per hour, and I would also compensate you for the fuel and time spent traveling to and from my house. so I guess few hundred bucks if you're somewhere in Broward county?

help getting this done is much appreciated!
AP

P.S. No I will not allow the Riva Motorsports people to butt rape me without a lube :lol:

Re: Need help changing rear sprocket on my dirt bike

Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2021 4:52 pm
by Iosef
Just stop using first gear, until you get used to the throttle response.

I had to quit picking up bikes to put them on blocks, too. A crowbar and a handfull of 2x4 blocks make it easy to lift any weight in a limited space. An 8' 4x4 works even better, if you have the room to use it.

Re: Need help changing rear sprocket on my dirt bike

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:01 am
by armedpolak
Anyone? Please

Re: Need help changing rear sprocket on my dirt bike

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:50 am
by Gunnyhiway
armedpolak wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:01 am Anyone? Please
The sprocket is not going to change the torque your engine produces.
As was posted the lower number rear tooth sprocket will get some more top end thru each gear.
Unless you plan on going WFO down a fireroad or something I'd leave it as is until you get use to riding it.
It sounds like it's geared for shorter distances before slowing down like tight forest trails or some MX tracks.


If I lived closer I'd cruise over and help you, NO CHARGE !
It's no big deal once you've done it a few hundred times.

Getting the bike on a stand is easy IF you know the trick.
Left hand on the bars while leaving the front wheel on the ground, grab the bike with your right hand on the frame bar under the right back side of the seat. Let the weight lay on your right thigh/hip area and hump that baby up !

Re: Need help changing rear sprocket on my dirt bike

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 10:09 am
by armedpolak
Gunnyhiway wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:50 am
armedpolak wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 9:01 am Anyone? Please
The sprocket is not going to change the torque your engine produces.
As was posted the lower number rear tooth sprocket will get some more top end thru each gear.
Unless you plan on going WFO down a fireroad or something I'd leave it as is until you get use to riding it.
It sounds like it's geared for shorter distances before slowing down like tight forest trails or some MX tracks.


If I lived closer I'd cruise over and help you, NO CHARGE !
It's no big deal once you've done it a few hundred times.

Getting the bike on a stand is easy IF you know the trick.
Left hand on the bars while leaving the front wheel on the ground, grab the bike with your right hand on the frame bar under the right back side of the seat. Let the weight lay on your right thigh/hip area and hump that baby up !
I tried it but I am too tall for it to work :(

Re: Need help changing rear sprocket on my dirt bike

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 10:18 am
by gforester
You could also change out the front sprocket and bump it up 1 tooth if you want a taller overall ratio. It is much easier than changing the rear sprocket.

Re: Need help changing rear sprocket on my dirt bike

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 11:23 am
by Gunnyhiway
armedpolak wrote: Mon Jan 04, 2021 10:09 am I tried it but I am too tall for it to work :(
Short guys usually have trouble with it.
Tall dudes have more leverage and an advantage with longer arms.

Sounds like you need a personal wrench to help out a bit.

Practice a bit and see if you can score a factory ride or at least a local shop sponsorship.

Most of your troubles will be over except you will need good results. :mrgreen:

Re: Need help changing rear sprocket on my dirt bike

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 5:42 pm
by Iosef
Really, the problem isn't the torque, it's your lack of familiarity with the clutch/throttle. Every time you get on a different bike, you have to go through the process of learning how to use them all over again. That's why even experienced riders tend to get into crashes on new machines. It usually takes about 6 months to achieve your normal level of coordination on the new bike.

Start every ride with a slow ride. Ride the bike a couple hundred feet at a slow walk, slipping the clutch while holding the throttle about 300 rpm above idling. Maintain as steady a pace as you can. Use the foot brake to prevent yourself from speeding up, instead of disengaging the clutch completely.

MSF instructor (retired)

Re: Need help changing rear sprocket on my dirt bike

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 7:02 pm
by armedpolak
Iosef wrote:Really, the problem isn't the torque, it's your lack of familiarity with the clutch/throttle. Every time you get on a different bike, you have to go through the process of learning how to use them all over again. That's why even experienced riders tend to get into crashes on new machines. It usually takes about 6 months to achieve your normal level of coordination on the new bike.

Start every ride with a slow ride. Ride the bike a couple hundred feet at a slow walk, slipping the clutch while holding the throttle about 300 rpm above idling. Maintain as steady a pace as you can. Use the foot brake to prevent yourself from speeding up, instead of disengaging the clutch completely.

MSF instructor (retired)
Thank you very much! I will give it a try. Btw I ordered a product called throttle tamer, it has a varying rate of cable pull. May also help me.

Btw is it ok to start riding from 2nd or 3rd gear? If I’m not slipping the clutch for too long?


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Re: Need help changing rear sprocket on my dirt bike

Posted: Mon Jan 04, 2021 8:28 pm
by Gunnyhiway
I did 99% of my motocross starts in 2nd gear.
My MAICO is a 4 speed. Slipping the clutch is nothing to worry about as long as you don't "ride" it meaning keeping it partially pulled or slipping it every gear change.
Those bikes can take a real ass kickin before they fail.
Treat her good and you will be rewarded with many hours of great memories.

One other thing about the months it takes to get use to a different bike as posted.
I'm no pro rider by any stretch however there were times I went to the track to race in a series with my top end blueprinted and ported differently along with rear and front suspension changes. I took maybe 6 laps in practice to adjust myself to the different feel, also one time my regular race bike crapped out the main bearing at the start when the gate dropped at the MX track in Dade City.
I leaned her up on the fence, ran back to my pit area and jumped on my 1973 Husqvarna CR 450 in that moto and placed a respectable 8 overall out of 15 riders. I got a 1st in the first moto that night so I still got points. The Husky is completely different than a MAICO.
If you have experience and years of riding and racing I think you can ride any bike pretty good after a few laps.
That's my opinion at least. :mrgreen: