Should I change my gearing?

[o4trix]

It's time for me to replace my chain and sprockets and I was wondering whether or not I should change the gearing of my bike in the process... What do you guys think? I'm not particularly UNhappy with the way my bike rides right now, but I don't really know what is possible...

I use my bike as an all-around bike... I ride it to commute, twisty joy rides, and trackdays...

[kc1717]

well are you topping out in 6th anywhere.....if not,....drop one in front + 2 rear :)

[o4trix]

Originally posted by kc1717
well are you topping out in 6th anywhere.....if not,....drop one in front + 2 rear :)

Nope, not topping out 6th... What will your suggested change do? Can you explain what changing the front AND changing the back sprockets do, do you have to change both in conjunction?

[Kyoseki]

Going smaller in the front and bigger in the back keeps the overall chain length the same, so you don't have to use a longer or shorter one.

Any time you change the final drive gear ratio you're doing 2 things;

1: Changing the speed at which you reach different parts of the power band. Say the CBR makes it's power between 6k and 10k, that will equate to a different ground speed depending on what gear you're in and your final drive ratio. (I believe race teams will do this kind of stuff in the gearbox, suiting gear ratios to specific tracks and corners).

2: Gearing down (going smaller up front, larger up back), gives you more torque about the rear axle, which equates to faster acceleration (at least at low speed, when wind resistance gets involved things start to get more complicated :)) and a greater likelihood of popping wheelies :)

Basically divide the number of teeth on the front sprocket (the driver) by the number of teeth on the rear one, if that number goes down, you get more torque but your engine goes faster for a given ground speed, like being in 1st gear, if the number goes up, you get less torque, but your engine turns over slower, like being in 6th.

[NiteQwill]

520 conversion :) while you're at it...

[o4trix]

Originally posted by NiteQwill
520 conversion :) while you're at it...

What does that do? I know it has to do with the size of the chain but nothing more...

I already ordered a 108 link 525 chain from somebody on the board for $50 new, does this mean I can't regear the bike?

[Slaughter]

520 being lighter and smaller takes a little less energy to whip around the sprockets than the bigger chain. More mass changing direction takes more energy - and friction because of the larger sizes. 520 doesn't wear as long but hell, the 525 will spin a prop on the queen Mary.

Gear it one tooth lower by running it up one tooth in the rear. Not a really big difference but it'll pull a teensy bit better without giving up top speed enough to worry about.

[o4trix]

Originally posted by Slaughter
520 being lighter and smaller takes a little less energy to whip around the sprockets than the bigger chain. More mass changing direction takes more energy - and friction because of the larger sizes. 520 doesn't wear as long but hell, the 525 will spin a prop on the queen Mary.

Gear it one tooth lower by running it up one tooth in the rear. Not a really big difference but it'll pull a teensy bit better without giving up top speed enough to worry about.

Is the difference between 525 and 520 really that crazy? Should I cancel the order I put in for the 525?

[NiteQwill]

Originally posted by o4trix
Is the difference between 525 and 520 really that crazy? Should I cancel the order I put in for the 525?
For some people, it is a night and day difference.

I say go for it since it will probably cost the same. Go lighter and faster for the same price!

AFAM Sprocket and DID X-Ring gold chain goes for $180 from Sprocket Specialists in Huntington Beach.

[deno]

Originally posted by o4trix
Is the difference between 525 and 520 really that crazy? Should I cancel the order I put in for the 525?

stick with the 525.

you won't be able to tell the difference unless your worried about making your way onto the podium.

The 525 will have greater longevity especially if your gearing down a bit.

I'd say -1 countershaft and +1 or 2 in the back. That ought to bring the bike to life. :D

[Rocko]

I agree with dino...sort of.

I went up two teeth in the back because i tried evil's bike and he had gone up two in the back and was like "holy chit! this is awesome." He had also converted to a 520.

I went to buy a 520 setup, but they said they were on backorder for like 2 months, so i settled for +2 teeth in the back and a 525 chain.

I'm glad I got the 525 chain because evil's chain and sprockets had to be replaced maybe only a couple months after they were put on and mine are still going on strong.

Also, going down 1 tooth in the front is about equivalent to going up two in the back, so if you're going down 1 in the front and up 2 in the back that's like going up 4 teeth in the back!!!

To me just going up two in the back was enough to be a night and day difference. I hesitate to go down any teeth on the front sprocket because that makes the chain kink more when it goes around a smaller sprocket and can shorten chain life, and as far as i'm concerned, these damn things already have to be replaced often enough without stressing them out any further.

[sk8surf]

rocko, what size is your front sprocket?

actually what is front and rear?

[Rocko]

stock front, 47 rear....

stock in front is 15 i think?

nakeds come with 15 front, 45 rear i think, and an SVS comes with 15 front, 44 rear.

[sk8surf]

Rocko, do you like that gearing? would you change anything?

[Rocko]

nope, wouldn't change a thing.

[sk8surf]

cool thanks so much. and you would recommend not going to a 520 right?

[deno]

going down 1 in the front is not a big deal.

1st gear in an SV is like what ~40 or so, whereas on a 600 1st gear goes all the way out to 70+mph.

no real need to be in 1st gear on the freeway anyways.

[Rocko]

yeah 525 parts last longer and are not so hard to get for an SV.

[sk8surf]

rocko do you have a steel rear sprocket?

[Rocko]

no aluminum...but if i had to do it over i would get steel.

regular aluminum wears out way fast.

[sk8surf]

thanks so much for the info. i am going to change my rear to 47 and see how the feels. what # of link chain do you think?

[ronin]

I went with a 520 conversion 47 tooth rear, standard front size. I really like it...not buzzy at 75, and gets going quicker out of turns. I could care less about speeds over 125 so the size worked out well. The aftermarket chain had to have a bunch of links removed, just be sure to get yourself a chain-break. Complete setup was from Vortex.

[Rocko]

i just got whavter size the guy selling them to me recommended

[Slaughter]

Originally posted by ronin
I went with a 520 conversion 47 tooth rear, standard front size. I really like it...not buzzy at 75, and gets going quicker out of turns. I could care less about speeds over 125 so the size worked out well. The aftermarket chain had to have a bunch of links removed, just be sure to get yourself a chain-break. Complete setup was from Vortex.

this is the pretty standard gearing we use in racing these beasties. The 47 rear makes for a little better pull without really giving up much top end speed. On a fast track like Willow Springs, you'll actually do better times with this gearing than a "faster" gear ratio.

For a street bike, the 525 chain and sprocket set is gonna last forever. The 520 seemed to last more than a year of racing 3 days a month (racing 4 races and 2 track days) - and is still going strong on Steve B and his daughter Wendy's bike (my old racebike)