Hi, I was wondering about changing out my sprockets on my '94 750. Does can someone tell me how much of a difference going down to 15-45 tooth sprockets will make?
FWIW I pondered the conversion, then decided to stay with 530, as far as the dif, ha, 3-5mph speed-o error. I tried the one down up front, I actually like the stock gearing as for me it's puts me in the right RPM for the curves I carve. Plus it could another reason how I get 50+ MPG all the time too.
I just put on a new 530 O-ring chain to replace my piece of s@#t old chain with a stock tooth rear and a drop tooth front and I can tell you it made quite a difference. 1-3 speeds feel like a new bike. Incredibly responsive and in 1 and 2 it feels like the front wheel almost wants to lift slightly just by giving it some heavy throttle. The remaining gears feel totally more responsive as well. 6th on the highway has much more throttle response and if you drop down to 5th to pass the bike is like a rocket! I haven't noticed any mpg drop and the top speed was affected I believe but only very slightly.
I did this conversion on my 4gen: -1 front/+2 rear on a 520 pitch. Within 500 miles I ordered a new stock size 520 front and now 2kmiles later, I'm ready to go back to the stock rear or at leasts a +1. Initially I constantly searched for a 7th gear and now with the 16t front I only occasionally look for it. With a jet kit and full headers, I'm only getting about 34-36mpg and hope going back to a 41 rear will help with that. The 15/43 is just too much and makes 1st gear optional but, yes, acceleration is greatly improved. The 520 size will easily handle the power level of the 750. YMMV
Forgive the noob chain questions, but here goes: * What's the difference between 520 and 530 chains? Which does a stock 4th gen. have? * A stock 4th gen. bike has 16/43 for sprockets, right? * Decreasing the # of teeth on the front sprocket will _______? (make bike accelerate harder or softer? / have higher or lower top speed? / increase or decrease fuel economy? * Decreasing the # of teeth on the rear sprocket will _______? (make bike accelerate harder or softer? / have higher or lower top speed? / increase or decrease fuel economy? I have to replace it all this winter (currently still using OEM chain w/17k miles, looks like doo-doo). So all answers would be greatly appreciated.
The difference between a 520 and a 530 is size. The 520 is slightly narrower and has slightly smaller rollers in each link. The main advantage of using a 520 is the reduction of a pound or two. This may not seem a lot in terms of weight reduction, but you need to think about other benefits of having a lighter chain, i.e. lower rotating mass and unsprung weight. The advantage of a 530 chain is a little more strength and having more longevity. The 530 chain has larger o-rings which allows more lubrication to be stored. As for gearing, best way to describe this is to think about your old 18 speed bicycle. The smaller chain ring in the front (or countershaft sprocket) and the larger the cog (rear sprocket) the more torque you will have. If you watch stunt bike shows, look at their bikes carefully and you will see that their bikes have enormous rear sprockets. This will allow them to do effortless wheelies because the huge amount of mechanical advantage they get from configuring their chain drive this way. If you are considering to alter your stock sprockets, consider that it will affect you speedometer and your mpg. Your stock gearing was selected base on optimum performance and gas mileage. If your bike engine performance is putting out more hp, you can put a smaller rear sprocket on to increase top speed and maybe increase engine efficiency by lowering rpm's. One last piece of advise, it is best when it is time to replace your chain to replace both sprocket and countershaft sprocket as well to increase the life of your new chain.
1.) The VFR has a very high-torque engine, it has been accused of eating chains due to compression braking (decel.), If I do this a lot, would it be a good idea to switch to a 520 chain? Does it come with an OEM 530? 2.) What is the most popular swap for the sprockets? Just the front? Just the back? Both? I really don't care to increase my top speed, anything over 130 is too much. A little more get up and go in 1st and 2nd would probably be my best bet. 3.) How much is the speedo affected? I know it's just a speed estimator (about 10 mph too enthusiastic now). Cliff's notes: What gearing would give me better 1-2 accelleration, and would "reset" the speedometer to a more correct reading?
Dropping one tooth in front OR going up three teeth on the rear sprocket will give you the same final gear ratio. The most common change I've seen is dropping one tooth on the front sprocket; this will give you better acceleration at the expense of top speed. It also will make your speedometer further off if you have the usual 8% error (high). Action
