GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Chains & Sprockets => Topic started by: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 05:54 AM

Title: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 05:54 AM

The new bike I've got is running a 17 on the front, what I'd like to know from others running a 17 is, have you shortened the chain by 1 link?
The chain looked like it had a fair bit of slack in it, & noticed the adjusters are way back to the limit.   Just wondering if taking 1 link out would sort the adjusters & slack.   Apparently it's a fairly new chain & sprocket, so as it wears it's going to get even more slack in it.


Yes, it's fairly lively compared with my other bike, definitely quicker accelerating, my other one was no slouch either, just this def seems to wind up much quicker.  AND, it has nothing to do with colour - or does it??   :whatever:
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: seth on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 06:12 AM
hiya col
it might just have not been adjusted yet since it was all fitted try adjusting it and see what happens.
if its already had a link out i wouldnt take another out .
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 06:15 AM
The adjuster blocks are right at the back of the slot. Could get a wee bit more I guess. Will have to wait till I get back home though.  Not with the bike at the mo.
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: Notty on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 06:15 AM
You have been in denial for so long with having a black one - Blue and White faster its simple !!  :)
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 06:17 AM
RED!   RED!     Notty's acting up again!  :lol:
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: seth on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 06:39 AM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 10 January  2018, 06:15 AM
The adjuster blocks are right at the back of the slot. Could get a wee bit more I guess. Will have to wait till I get back home though.  Not with the bike at the mo.
then it makes sense if the chain is 116 links long remove a link and all will be good if shorter then its already been shortened.
good luck buddy

:cheers:
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: Notty on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 06:50 AM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 10 January  2018, 06:17 AM
RED!   RED!     Notty's acting up again!  :lol:
Understandable your a little off colour after riding on that VERY FAST BLUE and WHITE  :smile2:
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 07:03 AM
Ya know what? I was actually thinking, (while I was riding to get the ferry & gave her a handful a couple of times),  the B/W are faster!! & the guys are gonna have a field day on this, but it's just the 17 tooth sprocket which makes it accelerate faster. Man, she pulled round to 200 as fast as!
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: seth on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 07:11 AM
I'm going to fit the paint work from my standard red and black k5 to my tuned blue and white k6 then I'll have the fastest red and black 14 that will beat most blue and white ones lol.
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: froudy on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 08:54 AM
Even though I've got a Blue/White I've got to be honest and say that I REALLY like the look of the Black/Red 1400 :onya:

I was actually looking for a 19t front sprocket as I mainly ride on the motorway, but couldn't find one anywhere.
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: seth on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 10:09 AM
someone like b&g sprockets should be able to make a 19tooth front just be careful of clearances with the clutch pushrod.
maybe if someone has fitted a 19t front sprocket they can advise on clearance issues.
:cheers:
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: RickC on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 02:04 PM
A 17t front puts a lot of extra load on the chain, it's generally  better to go up a few teeth on the rear sprocket for  chain life.
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: Snapey on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 03:38 PM
Quote from: seth on Wednesday, 10 January  2018, 10:09 AM
someone like b&g sprockets should be able to make a 19tooth front just be careful of clearances with the clutch pushrod.
maybe if someone has fitted a 19t front sprocket they can advise on clearance issues.
:cheers:

I was machining 38T rear sprockets until I found Metal Gear did a 19T front. Same gearing just saved a lot of time.

Photo shows a 19T fitted.
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: Andre on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 06:56 PM
Quote from: RickC on Wednesday, 10 January  2018, 02:04 PM
A 17t front puts a lot of extra load on the chain, it's generally  better to go up a few teeth on the rear sprocket for  chain life.

Is better for the plastic swingarm protector life. Changing the sprocket size can affect the wheelbase. If you change to a 17 front and a 43 rear (from 18/41 original) keeps things the way they are. Except for riding fun :grin:

For sprocket size selection this is interesting http://gsx1400owners.org/forum_test/index.php?topic=362.0 (http://gsx1400owners.org/forum_test/index.php?topic=362.0)
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: grog on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 07:12 PM
Snapey, hows she ride with the 19 on front. often thought of doing same and had seen metal gear had one. do i still use same amount of chain links? would make speedo reading fairly spot on , true or false.
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: Red Biker on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 08:25 PM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 10 January  2018, 06:17 AM
RED!   RED!     Notty's acting up again!  :lol:

Just seen this Col!!
Notty wind it in!  I actually have the 17 tooth on mine, it does give extra poke off the mark but you lose a couple of mph top end, this suites me and my riding style, (not disimilar to my love life to be fair) ironic as when I had more teeth it was the other way around  :thumbs_down:

@ Kiwicol once you get out a couple of times, I'm sure you'll get used to the funny looks I assume you'll be
'gearing up' in full power ranger mode to match the bike  :stir:

Cheers
Red
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: Snapey on Wednesday, 10 January 2018, 09:38 PM
Quote from: grog on Wednesday, 10 January  2018, 07:12 PM
Snapey, hows she ride with the 19 on front. often thought of doing same and had seen metal gear had one. do i still use same amount of chain links? would make speedo reading fairly spot on , true or false.

I've been using that gearing (18/38 & 19/41) for at least 10 years & love it. Try a 19 and I doubt you'll go back to stock & 116 links are OK with the 19T sprocket. Speedo is close to spot on (depending on tyre section & size) but the odometer reads about 7% low. eg; 100km speedo reading would be an actual 107kms.
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: Rod G on Thursday, 11 January 2018, 12:41 AM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Wednesday, 10 January  2018, 05:54 AM

AND, it has nothing to do with colour - or does it??   :whatever:

And you jolly well know Col, that colour has everything to do with it.  The Black models are just slower, its a law of nature!
Title: Re: 17 Tooth Front
Post by: froudy on Thursday, 11 January 2018, 07:57 PM
@Snapey

I did hunt for 19t front sprockets in the UK a couple of years ago without any success..I've just stuck with a standard 18t for now.