Chain Installation Questions

[tbyte]

My chain came apart, surprisingly while I was stopped at a traffic light, on my '00 M750. I purchased, after pushing her home, new chain / sprockets from Chris Kelly and the DID clone tool from MikesXS.  I am unsure of where to position the axle when fitting the chain.  I am guessing that with the chain installed taut when the axle is midpoint on rear fork I can move wheel forward to proper tension and then have room enough for adjustment for the life of the chain.  Is there a standard procedure?  Secondly, when flaring the rivets on the master link do you use the same drive pin as when you are removing a rivet?  I ask because it seems a little large and in Chris K's video the pin used is pointed not flat.
Sorry to be nervous but it is my first chain install and wish to avoid springing for another master link (or chain).

BTW, chain tool is $50 or $25 w/purchase of chain.

[ducpainter]

I always put the axle rearward of center, but I like the front wheel on the pavement.

The further forward the axle the easier the front will come up. It really is preference.

The chain tools I've seen have a peening set up with a very short pin to center and a large shaft behind to mushroom the rivet.

[tbyte]

Thanks.  It appears that with this particular tool the same pin is used for both driving out rivet and flaring.  The difference being that when flaring a metal fitting is placed on opposing side of rivet blocking rivet from being pushed out and thus mushrooming head.  Anyway, that is my best guess.  I will try it this evening.

OOPs , found the answer:http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=18172.0

[Mr Earl]

Hope it's not too late...

The pin reverses in the tool.  The smaller diameter pin pushes links, and the large diameter end with the dimple in it is for peening over the new master pin.  At least that's what I figured out, and it seemed to work.   If you use the small-diameter pin to peen the master, it'll probably break.

[tbyte]

Thanks, I found Sejman's excellent write up from last year.  I had entirely overlooked the reverse side of the pin despite having bought an additional spare pin.  The new chain is on and looking spiffy.  I will try it out tomorrow.

One follow up question:  According to the Ducati parts diagram/blow up the front sprocket ought be installed with the raised portion inward nearest the engine.  The reverse, on mine, is a much better alignment.   Is there any way to account for this?

[Ddan]

One follow up question:  According to the Ducati parts diagram/blow up the front sprocket ought be installed with the raised portion inward nearest the engine.  The reverse, on mine, is a much better alignment.   Is there any way to account for this?

The sprocket arrangement changed with model year and bike, I don't know about the 750 but the '00 and '01 900 are different than most.  If the parts diagram isn't specific to a 2000 M750, then you may be right.

[brad black]

most of the updated small engine bikes (1998 onward) had the front sprocket "reversed" with the 4.5" rear wheel.  the 5.5 wheel bikes had the centred sprocket that was made nla, same as a 2000 - 2001 900mie.  there is a supersprox number that seems right for them, forget what it is now.  it's listed as a 750 sport 1988, but is completely wrong for that model.  it's round section is 6mm or so wide.