Hahahahahahahahahahahaha - aka Impressions of a 14T sprocket

dracflamloc · July 12, 2006, 08:14:52 PM

Just installed and rode it, about 1200 miles total here. But its really not that bad if you're smooth. If you're a raw beginner I def wouldn't do it until you're smooth on throttle and shifting in turns.

THat said wow does my bike feel like a new beast =) A tame GS-style beast but yea its alot more fun now and I'm really glad I did this especially since it was only a $20/30 minute mod.

I think if I rejetted this thing it'd be extremely 'quick' but even as is now its really quick.

One thing I noticed is I had to adjust my chain almost all the way as tight as the thing would let me coming from my 16 tooth.

I could probably pop a wheelie if I really tried but I think its not as easy as it is for Tad. I have a pretty stiff '00 katana 600 rear shock in mine and I only weigh 150lbs so compressing it enough for a true wheelie might be kinda hard but I can definitly feel the power there.

Overall probably one of the most satisfying mods for the buck.

Alphamazing · July 12, 2006, 09:56:25 PM

Isn't it awesome?!

Yeah, my chain is at the end of its adjusters now too, that's why I said I needed a new chain.

You'll start getting used to it and start having the front pop up every now and again. Start out in 2nd gear at about 30mph, clutch in and rev it to 9k or so and then drop the clutch.

thirdman · July 12, 2006, 10:39:50 PM

Nice. I am glad it is working out for you, alpha!

And to think, many moons ago I was mocked for the 14t idea...

Alphamazing · July 12, 2006, 10:44:31 PM

Quote from: thirdman on July 12, 2006, 10:39:50 PM
Nice. I am glad it is working out for you, alpha!

And to think, many moons ago I was mocked for the 14t idea...

You just gotta know how to sell it.

It's a lot of fun around town though. Thankfully my commuting right now is neighborhood streets and only the occasional jaunt up Mopac, it might change when I move into the new apartment. Unlikely though, since it should just be a run down 1st street or something until I get to campus, but whatever. Even cruising along at 75mph (ind) it's sitting below 7k. Works for me.

Alphamazing · August 04, 2006, 10:23:39 AM

Alright, some more info:

I've been averaging 47.5 mpg the last two tanks. This is a mix of high speed interstate and around town.

Wheelies got boring a few weeks ago.

I accidentally wheelied a tiny bit trying to swerve out of the way of a car that merged suddenly in front of me. Not a fun situation, let me assure you. Could have been a lot worse had I paniced and not known what to do.

Ordered a new chain. Should be here in a few days. If you do this and your chain is almost dead, get a new chain ASAP.

dracflamloc · August 04, 2006, 10:33:19 AM

I dont quite have the wheelie power yours does. But it certain takes off quicker.

aaronstj · August 04, 2006, 10:34:39 AM

You probably don't weigh 12 pounds like Alpha.

Alphamazing · August 04, 2006, 10:37:57 AM

Quote from: dracflamloc on August 04, 2006, 10:33:19 AM
I dont quite have the wheelie power yours does. But it certain takes off quicker.

It's a clutching thing. Give it a little throttle (5k or higher) and let go of the clutch fairly quickly. That's what happened to me when I tried passing the car; I didn't slip the clutch enough and it came up on me causing me to lose steering for a half second or so.

rangerbrown · August 04, 2006, 08:28:41 PM

how much of wheelin can it do really?

Alphamazing · August 04, 2006, 10:23:29 PM

Quote from: rangerbrown on August 04, 2006, 08:28:41 PM
how much of wheelin can it do really?

Clutched out at 6k or so it can wheelie the front axle up to chest level (estimation) with ease. If I had a 12 o'clock bar to stand on it would be there without hesitation.

TragicImage · August 21, 2006, 03:21:53 PM

I just ordered a 13, 14, and 15.....

The 13 is going to be just for play... a few times... then I might pass it on for Shipping only.... and yes, I'm buying a new chain.

sledge · August 21, 2006, 03:49:56 PM

Why the new chain? If the old one is still servicable just take a link out (assuming you know how to and have access to the gear). But in saying that it wont stay servicable for long with 13 teeth on the the front sprocket.

TragicImage · August 21, 2006, 03:51:08 PM

oh, I'm gonna run the hell out of it with the current chain.

The new chain is for when I put on the 14 or 15

Alphamazing · August 21, 2006, 04:50:41 PM

Quote from: sledge on August 21, 2006, 03:49:56 PM
Why the new chain? If the old one is still servicable just take a link out (assuming you know how to and have access to the gear). But in saying that it wont stay servicable for long with 13 teeth on the the front sprocket.

My old chain was pretty worn. There were a few times when I didn't oil it on time, it sat outside, got rained on, went through dirt and grime and stuff. It was time to replace it anyways.

Got the new chain on too, and it was already towards the end of the adjusters. If you go with a 14T, you will need a 109 link or maybe even a 108 link chain, rather than the OEM 110.

As to the 13T, sledge is right. The 14T is pushing it on wear and whatnot on the sprockets. The 13T is going to kill it. Badly.

sledge · August 21, 2006, 05:01:57 PM

Sprockets dont like having less than about 14/15 teeth on them, any less and whats known as chordal action begins to take effect. Basically the chain cant engage smoothly at speed. The result is that chain speed becomes erratic and the sprockets begin to lose efficiency. It causes increased vibration in the drivetrain and reduces the overall service life of the chain and sprockets. If you want to alter the ratio its much better to increase the size of the rear sprocket as it incurrs far less losses in the system and doesnt compromise reliability.

Alphamazing · August 21, 2006, 05:30:40 PM

Quote from: sledge on August 21, 2006, 05:01:57 PM
Sprockets dont like having less than about 14/15 teeth on them, any less and whats known as chordal action begins to take effect. Basically the chain cant engage smoothly at speed. The result is that chain speed becomes erratic and the sprockets begin to lose efficiency. It causes increased vibration in the drivetrain and reduces the overall service life of the chain and sprockets. If you want to alter the ratio its much better to increase the size of the rear sprocket as it incurrs far less losses in the system and doesnt compromise reliability.

Bingo. Like I said, the 14T is pushing it on that part. Looking back now, I wish I could have gotten a 15T front and a 42T rear, but that wouldn't have been nearly as cheap or as easy, as the 14T was located right down the road from me.

13T is downright silly.

RVertigo · August 21, 2006, 05:46:57 PM

I'm gonna get a sprocket like your grandma'.

Only five teeth.

TragicImage · August 21, 2006, 05:49:09 PM

the 13 will literally be on for less than 20 miles.

spc · March 14, 2007, 07:35:51 PM

WOW!!!!!!!!!! I just did this mod!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! My carb is screwed up and it still popped the wheel into the air. Can't wait to get my carb fixed up. Dont know for sure cause I had to rip the gauges off due to a little mishap where a Coke truck driver decided i didn't exist but based off braking distance I'd say I topped 100 on a 1/4 mile stretch I have marked off. Just an awesome mod. I'll probably see it even more when My carb gets fixed and rejetted!!!!!

Alphamazing · March 14, 2007, 07:48:38 PM

Quote from: spcterry on March 14, 2007, 07:35:51 PM
WOW!!!!!!!!!! I just did this mod!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! My carb is screwed up and it still popped the wheel into the air. Can't wait to get my carb fixed up. Dont know for sure cause I had to rip the gauges off due to a little mishap where a Coke truck driver decided i didn't exist but based off braking distance I'd say I topped 100 on a 1/4 mile stretch I have marked off. Just an awesome mod. I'll probably see it even more when My carb gets fixed and rejetted!!!!!

Yup. Be careful dropping the clutch in first gear, it CAN loop the bike.

News:

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha - aka Impressions of a 14T sprocket