A change of chain and sprockets

timmyboy · 23-07-2008, 11:45 AM

My chain has been making clanking noises after I tightened it up from a very loose setting. I put it on the rear stand and found it tightens up considerably at one point. I don't know the mileage of the chain, its probably considerable though. So I'm gonna replace the chain and the sprockets. I wouldn't mind some extra acceleration, would this be the way to go? -> Sum of All Parts
My bike is a 97 YZF1000R

g0zer · 23-07-2008, 12:11 PM

-1 +2 is a pretty extreme ratio change, will unnecessarily increase wear and tear on motor and gearbox, which is not what you want on an older bike.

-1 front should be ok for general street riding if you really want to mess with ratios.

timmyboy · 23-07-2008, 02:47 PM

k thanks for that info, I thought might be the case.
Anyone recently bought a 520 chain and some sprockets and had them installed that can tell me the price?

Captain Starfish · 23-07-2008, 03:16 PM

-1/+2 also takes the load off the engine, substituting output torque for RPM to a degree - if the protector on the top of the swingarm next to the front sprocket allows clearance then go for it. Amazing difference.

Paid about $300 fitted for sprockets and chain from T4B, no idea whether it's 520, 525 or 530 though.

thro · 23-07-2008, 04:07 PM

I think you can get chain + sprockets (afam + DID) off motomummy for around 200 bucks at the moment in 520 size.

I'm likely going for -1/+2 on the 600rr sooner or later

Machast · 23-07-2008, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g0zer

-1 +2 is a pretty extreme ratio change, will unnecessarily increase wear and tear on motor and gearbox, which is not what you want on an older bike.

there is nothing unnecessary about added acceleration.

timmyboy · 23-07-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thro

I think you can get chain + sprockets (afam + DID) off motomummy for around 200 bucks at the moment in 520 size.

I'm likely going for -1/+2 on the 600rr sooner or later

They don't have an option for my bike, just the R1.

Spock · 23-07-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g0zer

-1 +2 is a pretty extreme ratio change, will unnecessarily increase wear and tear on motor and gearbox,

Are you serious g0zer?

-1/+2 is hardly extreme!

-1 (front) will make a little difference but if you want an improvement in drive that you can really feel then -1/+2 is a better way to go.

I went -2 (front) on my old VFR800 with no probs and have gone -1/+2 recently on my fireblade.

timmyboy · 23-07-2008, 05:34 PM

Now I'm undecided. Is -1/+2 too risky for my year bike?

Spock · 23-07-2008, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmyboy

Now I'm undecided. Is -1/+2 too risky for year bike?

My fireblade is a 1993 model and the gearing change doesn't seem to be harming it.

Why risky anyway? Running altered gearing is no more risky than it's risky to accelerate in 3rd gear instead of 4th. Race teams always alter gearing for every racetrack.

Captain Starfish · 23-07-2008, 05:49 PM

Nah, timmyboy.

It's fine mate - if anything it will reduce the load on your output bearings and gearbox. As long as your calculated top speed is acceptable (drop 15-20%) and you either remember that speedo change or you get a speedo healer, it's fine.

Hey - I'm running -1/+11 on a bike three years older than yours, riding the shit out of it and it LOVES me.

g0zer · 23-07-2008, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spock

Are you serious g0zer?

-1/+2 is hardly extreme!

-1 (front) will make a little difference but if you want an improvement in drive that you can really feel then -1/+2 is a better way to go.

well imho its extremely low gearing

i figure that bike OEM is geared to redline at about 275km/h and his peak would be around 260km/h. That bike is in its happy place between 190kmh to 240km/h.

if you drop -10% that puts redline at 250km/h and peak maybe 240kmh.

i reckon if you gear it so its redlining at what used to be its happy place, it increases wear on the motor ect.

and if it doesnt go faster than 250km/h, well that would make it suck.

timmyboy · 23-07-2008, 05:54 PM

Okay Starfish you have sold it for me.

Spock · 23-07-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g0zer

i reckon if you gear it so its redlining at what used to be its happy place, it increases wear on the motor ect.

Honda puts every new engine through a 24 hour redline test before that engine is allowed to enter mass production. Yes, 24 hours at redline.

So slightly higher revs at a particular road speed won't make any measureable difference to wear and tear - at least not for a Honda.

Yamaha, I can't speak for. Maybe -1/+2 is extremely low gearing for a Yamaha.

jonnyking · 23-07-2008, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g0zer

and if it doesnt go faster than 250km/h, well that would make it suck.

when do you big bike riding boys get time to cruise at 250km/h??

timmyboy · 23-07-2008, 06:19 PM

Anyone got a gold coloured chain? How hard is it to keep it looking pretty?

Rich · 23-07-2008, 06:22 PM

The freeway...

g0zer · 23-07-2008, 06:27 PM

have to clean it everyday!

Hewie · 23-07-2008, 08:18 PM

I have gold 520 on my R1, never had an issue with it. Putting a new one on both bikes soon.

You just have to maintain it properly. But you dont have to be excessive about it.

Just give it a light clean and lube it once every 500 - 800 km. Mines done 22,000 ks so far.