New chain for a ZX-6R???

[VTchickrider08]

I bought a 1999 ZX-6R about 6 months ago and the chain was midly rusty since i got it. Of course I have done the routine maintenance on the chain every 400 miles, etc. but recently I saw was helping a buddy clean his chain and realized just how rusty mine is. The bike runs great, but everything else on the bike is factory so I'm thinking the chain has never been replaced so I think getting a new chain might be a good idea anyways - any opinions? Does anybody know about how much that might cost me? (The bike has just under 7k miles) Thank you!!

[Guy]

I like eBay, get a good-quality o-ring chain. Also, you may want to replace the sprockets, as they tend to wear quickly, and they're relatively inexpensive for a stock one. A bad sprocket can kill a new chain (hats off to CB750F for that bit of advice in another posting).

Also, welcome to the forum. How long have you been riding?

[VTchickrider08]

Is replacing the chain actually something I could do? I'm relatively handy with cars but I'm a bit more nervous to start messing around with my bike since I don't know THAT but about them... I was thinking that I would have to take it in to a shop. This is my first bike and I have only been riding since March but I LOVE it! I'm just trying to learn all I can to take care of my baby and have some fun!!

[Guy]

If you're handy with a wrench on a car, you should have no probs. Pick up a Clymer or Haynes manual and look at the procedure.

[CB750F]

I would go with a name brand chain like D.I.D, Tsubaki, Regina etc. They don't seem to stretch as fast and don't seem to rust up either. They have them on Ebay. You'll have to take the rear wheel off to take the rear sprocket off and a small cover on the engine to get to the front sprocket. Other than metric wrenches about all I can think you may need is a chain breaker because sometimes original chains don't have a master link. If you are on real good terms with a bike shop they might loan you theirs.

You're chain may not be shot, just a little rusty on the plates on the side. There is a measurement in the owners manual that tells you if it's worn too far.