Sprocket & Chain questions

[AMCQ46]

Still running original chain and sprockets at 18,000 miles, but chain has got a tightspot and the adjusters are close to the "replace" marker now, so time for a new one over winter.

Chain will be a DID x-ring, as I rate them, but a couple of questions :

A) whats the preferred option on dropping the gearing?;
1 tooth off the front, going down to a 15.......a 17% reduction in ratio
or
Up 2 on the back from 41 to 43.........a 12,5% reduction in ratio

I know if the front sprocket is too small it will wear the chain faster as there is less teeth taking the load, but dont know if 15 is in that bracket..........anyone have wear problems?

Also is the 17% reduction too much, is 12% a better compromise? I know if you are just doing this mod and you dont want to put on a new chain & sprocket then just getting a new front is way cheaper, but as I am getting the full set, I want the best ratio.

So what is the view of those who changed?

B) Standard chain is 102 links, if I go up 2 teeth at the back do I need 1 or 2 links more? and did you have to take a link out when you dropped 1 tooth, or just take the extra out with the adjusters?

C) It is an option to get an endless [ie already linked] chain, am I correct in thinking that if I take off the footrest hanger, that I can fit the chain without splitting?
I like the idea of having a factory fitted link, and it saves me borrowing a chain tool.

[benny hedges]

perfectly happy with just the 15 on the front... doesn't make much difference to the adjustment range and can't say i've noticed accelerated wear
gett great accel, is a pussycat round town and still get a great top end, in fact imo dropping a tooth on the front improves the top end (and no, i don't just mean what it shows on the clock...)

don't think you have to take anything else off to fit a prelinked chain?
possibly the lh link pipe & can, and the chainguard (if you have one)

use gearing commander to calculate what's best for you... imo it's much less hassle to change the front cog, but spose it doesnt matter if you're fitting a complete new set.
what lube tho? u got a oiler?
i'll be going over to dry wax on mine when i fit the new one.

[benny hedges]

ah i dunno... standard gearing i found i was having to clutch it a lot in town traffic.... depends where you ride i spose.
1st gear is still very useable with 15t on the front, the gears just feel closer ratio to me.
personal preferance as with anything

[Giddsy]

I went two up on the rear with standard chain and very pleased with the result... definitely recommended.

[AMCQ46]

doing a bit of a search it looked like SlingVTR, who I went riding with on saturday, went even further. There is a post where he says he was going to go 1 down on front AND 2 up on back, so 30% lower gearing.

Sling, was that what you are using now? and did you put a speedo healer on it?

Giddsy, did you need to put on a longer chain?

[Giddsy]

No standard length chain so a very slightly shorter wheel base..!

[SlingVTR]

yes I went 1 tooth down on the front, but I wish I went standard on the front and 4 more on the rear now, its tried and tested for me with other bikes, to be honest id say I dont really feel much diference at all with the one off the front, so next time it will be 4 more on the rear and standard front to alleviate the increased chain wear that someone mentioned, but as always with chains for them to last is keeping them cleaner than a jew boys knob end and lubing like your a pornstar....the Renthall S4RS chans are fab and the sprockets are half the weight of the originals...

http://www.intobikes.co.uk/products/002 ... st&sd=DESC

buy this..fantastic and lasted 27k on my CB1300.........it reallyis under priced IMO.

[AMCQ46]

yes I went 1 tooth down on the front,

Ah, that makes more sence, I thought I saw a post which said you were going to 15 : 43 sizes, which was 30% below stock.
Mind you, your 4 up on the back is 25% lower than stock, so sounds like you were planning to drop the gearing by quite a bit.

Will look into that Renthal deal, is their SRS chain good? I was heading for a DID x-ring?

[SlingVTR]

I can whole heartedly recommend the Renthall gear its fantastic.....

[benny hedges]

dThere is a post where he says he was going to go 1 down on front AND 2 up on back, so 30% lower gearing.

Fark, I bet that's fun.

try a 14 on the front lol - it's bonkers!

[bigrich]

i have just fitted a 15 on the front and have a 43 on the back and i like the way it rides.

One question, does anyone know how much it effects the speedo ? mine seemed to be quite a bit out, either that or it got to 150 stupidly quick!

[benny hedges]

use gearing commander to calculate what it should be reading - or stick your satnav on the tank & check it.
if it's way off you can get speedo overlay decals from ebay for about a fiver to sort of recalibrate it.
with just a 15 on the front it's not much more innacurate than standard - and yes, it will get up there quicker

[VeeTeeArrrrrrr]

With 150 on the clock you are doing 125mph maybe a tad less. I had this gearing on a CB1300, at 100mph on the clock you are doing a real 82 ish...

[bigrich]

cheers for that info lads, probs with the sat nav option is its built into my car, so unless i strap a accord tourer on the back it aint gonna work!