Might be a dumb question, but is it possible to remove and replace the front sprocket without removing the chain on a DL1000? I'd like to do a gearing change - my chain & rear sprocket are both in good condition, so I'm hoping to avoid breaking and re-riveting the chain if possible. Thanks in advance for any advice!

There is no reason that you would have to break the chain and take it off. I would loosen the rear wheel and turn your chain adjusters in all the way to give you plenty of slack so that you can change out your sprocket.

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1986 XR600R,1986 VF1000R,1999 CBR1100XX,2006 CRF450X,2007 DL1000 V-Strom

yes

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Essentially limitless slack if you remove the back wheel, too. If you're changing gearing, you'll need to re-set the chain slack and will wind up with a different position for the back wheel anyway.

Like the others said, yes.

I recently removed my front sprocket to replace the clutch pin seal. The chain was off, there is enough room to jimmy the chain off the sprocket and then pull it back out of the way. I have a 530 chain so it would be a little easier with a stock chain.

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If the guy who sold you the sprocket is the same guy who sells me chains and sprockets, he would have told you that replacing either a sprocket or chain without replacing the whole trio courts greatly increased wear ...

and rust ...

and dandruff ...

and mainly decreased profit and commission for him, which is really his point.

I have not told him that I am reusing my original rear sprocket, but in the opposite direction (plus five washers to line up the planes), and definitely NOT encountering increased chain wear, nor any binding or noise ... and my feet don't stink any worse than they ever did.

Good luck!

Keith