I skimmed the thread so sorry if this is double info.
I just did my very first ever in my life sprocket/chain change. I rushed down to cycle gear and got the
stockton tool kit mentioned for $29 along with a new can of bike spirits. (I wanted chain cleaner but I just couldn't pay another $9 for what is essentially kerosene in a spray can. Fool me once...)
I ordered my
chain kit from sprocket center. I got the rk 530xso chain after months of research revealed it's the best bang for the buck. It comes with a black superlite sprocket.
Using that chain tool is really easy once you get used to it. There's a motionpro video on youtube about breaking a chain with a similar tool that I watched before I started because the reviews on the chain tool complain about bad instructions. Watch that it really helps!
Motion Pro - Quality Motorcycle Cables, Tools and Controls
The chain kit does not come with that $10 (from the stealer) locking washer so you'll have to remember to get that before you break the chain (unlike me who remembered after when all I had was the bike to go anywhere).
I went to the yamaha demo the day after and while I was at the dealer I got the lock washer and the service guy to check my chain install. I forgot to measure the pins before I pressed the rivets and I wanted to be sure I'd gotten it and the chain slack right. He said I did great then asked if I wanted a job!
In the end, I decided to stay with the stock sizes and the 530 chain. I'm ignorant enough to be happy with the gearing as it is and I decided the chain life expected with good care of the 530 chain outweighed any benefits of switching to a 520 kit. I also decided to go with a kit rather than purchasing everything piecemeal so I didn't have to do more months of research to learn who made the best sprockets.
Here's my rear sprocket and new chain:
Yep, I'm proud of myself. I probably wouldn't've done it alone without the knowledge I've gained from reading these forums. Y'all make me believe I can do anything so I'm going to teardown and rebuild my vx800 this fall (after I do the r1 frontend conversion and fzr6 rear shock upgrade).