Chains and sprockets

[stefrrr]

What the hell?

There are tons of chains to choose from. I'm sure that's a good thing, but I just need a chain & sprocket, and I know nothing. What should I be looking for?

[Baz]

Its easier and cheaper (at the moment) to change gearing with chain and sprockets. Many bikes come from the factory geared very tall to meet sound regulations. A $15 or $20 front sprocket and your bike is transformed.

Belts would be a great alternative if the gearing alternatives were more readily available.

A word of caution. Unless your bike is equipped with a front wheel driven speedometer you speedo will be thrown off by any gearing changes. I tried just about every combo with the Bandit and went back to stock each time. I tooth down on the front just killed the highway ride of that bike. Also killed fuel economy. Yes, it was a bit more fun around town but it killed the over all ride of the bike. At highway speeds it turned into a huge vibrator.

Chains... I am a huge fan of DID chains.

[stefrrr]

That's funny - Ray went down one tooth on the SV1000s. He changed it shortly after running out of gas 2 miles from the gas station. Somewhere in the 30s MPG on that tank. He went up one tooth, and it smoothed it out, plus it fixed the speedo.  

[Baz]

Stefrrr:

Yes 1 tooth up on the front also is a great fix for the Bandit also if you do a lot of touring. (You have to modify the engine chain cover slightly to get one to fit) Going 1 tooth down will make your fillings fall out at 65 mph.

If you download the spreadsheet here, it gives you an idea what changes you will see on the Bandit with different sprocket sizes. The same similar thing will occur with other bikes. It is a great reference tool if you plan on playing around.

http://motodyn.com/media/utils/OB-bandit1200-gear-ratios.xls

[cognosticator]

That's funny - Ray went down one tooth on the SV1000s. He changed it shortly after running out of gas 2 miles from the gas station. Somewhere in the 30s MPG on that tank. He went up one tooth, and it smoothed it out, plus it fixed the speedo.  

On my SVs I went up one on front and down one in the back, corrected my speedo, dropped 500 rpms at 70 mph and increased my mpg to an actual 40.  I don't care about wheelies or racing and really haven't noticed any performance losses.  Around town I have to keep it in 4th gear or it will lug.

[PhilBiker]

This was interesting for me.

http://www.quality-cycle.com/truth_about_motorcycle_chains.htm

One thing super-hilarious on that site... The section on "how to correctly lube your chain", I thought everybody knew how to do that, isn't that "chain moto ownership 100?"  It was for me.  Anyway, in the picture where they show the "proper" way to lube your chain, the chain looks HORRIBLY rusty!  Appallingly poor maintenance is evident, but they are lubing the correct manner. Except for the massive spray of lube that's evident on the rear tire.  Talk about bad aim.    I guess the person in their example knows how to properly lube their chain, but they don't ever do it.  And they don't clean it either.

Sorry I can't contribute to this thread.  Except my chain is getting a little herky-jerky, I'll need a new one some time fairly soon.

[PhilBiker]

I know that there some that run belts, I would just think that they would be more common. The few that I know that have Harley's love the belt. I assume that there is some factor that I'm not seeing.

I think it's a market thing.  Belts would be perfect for sport touring bike.  95% the performance of a chain (you only need that extra 5% on the track or for hardcore sportbikes), without the weight and jacking of a shaft.  I wish belts were ubiquitous.  I think that the M/C manufacturers are just in the habit of using chains, they know their customers expect chains.  I don't know.  Belts are better IMO.

[milkman]

Just got one for 00 sprint st chain, both sprockets all from www.sprocketcenter.com decent deal and fast shipping