Some new mods

[rst steve]

Well after lots of messing around finaly got some time to pamper my Firestorm today after a damn good clean and polish using lots of Meguirs and Auto Glym i set about fitting my new chain and sprocket kit. I've gone for a standard 16t front and a 43t rear instead of the standard 41t. Used JT sprokets and a D.I.D chain only took a couple of hours to do as i cleaned everything whilst i had it in bits and added some Pro-Bolt sprocket nuts. Then came the time to take it for a quick spin round the block I did'nt think that this change would make that much difference but OH MY GOD the bike feels totally differant Seems to have loads more mid range punch and cant keep the front on the floor in first Why did'nt Honda fit the 43t rear as standard?Silly people. Now got the rest of the week off work to play to my hearts content

Well if it does'nt rain

[warby221]

It’s always good when a cheap mod has a big effect

Seems to have loads more mid range punch and cant keep the front on the floor in first Why did'nt Honda fit the 43t rear as standard?Silly people. Now got the rest of the week off work to play to my hearts content

Well if it does'nt rain

It’s even better when you hit a bit of a bump in the road in third and it just rises up nice when you’re overtaking

[fishface]

does a 16t front sprocket and +2 on the rear need extra links in chain ?????

[LotusSevenMan]

FF.
No. It's fine as I just fitted a 43T in place of the std sprocket with same chain etc.

RST S.
Did you check out the cush drive backlash? Any more than about 10,000 - 12,000 miles means that thumping 'V' twin power compresses the rubber segments a bit. Normally time for the icecream lid upgrade then!!!! Did this to mine @ the time of the new sprocket a few months back and lots of the snatch one gets used to from the drive train disappears. Back to new feel again (my bike has done just under 12 thou).

[genisis]

What this cush drive backlash???

I keep thinking my chain is loose everytime i change gear quickly it jerks like the chain is grabbing, (it's not loose btw)

Do tell

[sirch345]

What this cush drive backlash???

I keep thinking my chain is loose everytime i change gear quickly it jerks like the chain is grabbing, (it's not loose btw)

Do tell

The backlash in the cushdrive basically means that the hard rubber blocks in the cushdrive are probably worn out. They act like mini shock absorbers and take the snatch out of releasing the power from the engine to the back wheel as you let the clutch out. The cushdrive is situated inside of the rear wheel hub and is the connection between the wheel and sprocket carrier.

You can test to see if yours are worn simply by placing the bike on a paddock stand. With the engine OFF and the bike into gear rock the rear wheel by hand while watching the rear sprocket. If the wheel moves considerably more than the sprocket does then they are badly worn. As already said if only a small amount of movement is detected then you can cut pieces of plastic from used ice-cream containers to fill the gaps.

Chris.

PS. A very good mod Steve

[lee67]

bah humbug..shaftdrive is where its at!!

[bikerpiker]

I'd agree on that, Had a couple of shaft drive suzukis years ago.
A big shaft has definately got its plus points

[rst steve]

FF.
No. It's fine as I just fitted a 43T in place of the std sprocket with same chain etc.

RST S.
Did you check out the cush drive backlash? Any more than about 10,000 - 12,000 miles means that thumping 'V' twin power compresses the rubber segments a bit. Normally time for the icecream lid upgrade then!!!! Did this to mine @ the time of the new sprocket a few months back and lots of the snatch one gets used to from the drive train disappears. Back to new feel again (my bike has done just under 12 thou).

I had to add a link in the chain on mine. Original was 102 links and now on 104. I found with the 102 the wheel adjuster was all the way foward and the chain was to tight. Did'nt do the cushdrive thing either as mine does'nt seem that snatchy even though its getting up to 30000miles. Will keep this in mind though if it does start. LSM i presume you just cut up the plastic lid from an ice cream tub to shim yours??? Have you got any pics of the mod??

[genisis]

Thanks i'll check that tonight

[warby221]

bah humbug..shaftdrive is where its at!!

Philistine

[Stratman]

Bigger rear sprocket was one of the best things I did. Transforms the bike and with the baffles out of the Scorpions the pulling power out of the corners is great - you can use 3rd where the standard bike would need 2nd

[LotusSevenMan]

RST Steve.
No pix, but they are literally just about 30mm X 20mm approx pieces of icecream container lid X 5 to pack in between the webs on the hub and the rubber wedges (shaped like triangular Dairylea cheeses). I cut mine out with scissors and found I needed just one on each section. I would have had no problem if it needed two though!!
I had a lot of snatch on my first VTR but didn't get to do the mod before I rearranged the front end! This bike already had a 15t front fitted when I got it so never removed the rear hub carrier.
This time with VTR number II when doing the rear 43T sprocket mod I checked it. If the sprocket carrier is a good fairly hard push fit into the wheel hub with the cush drive in place all is well. You should be able to turn the wheel over to face downwards and shake it and it'll still stay in place. If it does what I suspect it'll do for you; fall into place when you just try and fit it then it's time to sort it out!!!!!

http://shop.wemoto.com/pictures.dyn?u=5834065qqq25688

This makes a lot of difference to the way the bike 'drives' along. Gear changes are sweeter, less snatch and the bike is altogether more 'connected'.

[LotusSevenMan]

Something to see here. Read down a short way about cush drive rubbers....................

LSM

http://www.roadracers.co.uk/vtr.htm

Anyone done that fueling mod?

[Dazjm]

Where did u buy ur sprockets and chain from steve?