On a side note, just found all this yesterday while adjusting and lubing the chain.
When rotating the wheel it does get quite tight in a particular area.
I have a ride planned for 2 days on Wednesday (probably around 1200km with very fast sections).
Am I going to be okay on this chain till I replace when I return?
As long as that's NOT the spot the chain is at when you hit a big BUMP in the road!! LOL JK...unless your chain is really overdue for a replacement, chances are it will just stretch if you overtightened it.
Is it REALLY that much tighter at the tight spot?? I had a tight spot on the OEM sprockets and it was at the most just a couple cm different than the loosest spot. You adjust with the chain at the tight spot if you have one. That way, it shouldn't stretch.
If you really want to play it safe, measure across the number of pins specced in the SM. If you're past the limit on chain stretch, you prolly want to stay away from stretching it any more.
Grn, I can't quite make out what brand you installed.
Whose brand did you select to install for the chain and sprockets?
SuperSprox Stealth Rear. Driven Front. IDK about the chain. I think he's a DID guy.
I have used Vortex and AFAM aluminum rear sprockets. Both 45 tooth. I have used SuperSprox 17 tooth front. Don't go with an aluminum front. It will wear out in no time (so I was told). Vortex is probably aboutt he lightest one you'll find. Both my aluminums have worn pretty well. I had 12,000 miles on the Vortex and still looks serviceable but some wear. AFAM looks good but only a few thousand miles on it. I guesstimate i will get 18,000-20,000 miles out of an aluminum sprocket.
45 tooth is not that noticeable from stock at low rpm believe it or not. Yeah, you notice it but it's not like you will flip the bike because you have the extra teeth. It will take off with a little less clutch and it will roll along at an idle a little bit easier. Once rolling, you feel the extra pull. High rpm, that's where you really feel the shortened gearing come into play. The best way to describe 17/45 is like you down shifted (so you might ask why not just downshift??? Yeah, why?). It runs about 500 higher at normal street riding revs. I like it. If you do a lot of touring, it's gonna drink up a bit more gas and it's gonna be running at a higher rpm than you need much of the time on the higway. I like it though. Better for wheelies and feels a bit more racey. I really noticed it after riding with it for a while and then comparing it to the busa which has stock gearing (a tad shorter stock gearing than the stock 14). 45 tooth won't kill ya. Don't be afraid of it. I actually was somewhat underwhelmed at first.
OH--my vote is for EK ZZZ chain. Lighter than stock and just won't wear out. I never adjusted it at all with new sprockets installed at the same time. Also, a bit lighter than stock. Don't know how DID weighs in but the stock chain was DID and it was heavier. EK had a very nice spacer included with mine for safe riveting of the chain.
* Last updated by: Rook on 10/29/2014 @ 3:57 PM *
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