17 t front sprocket

[dadsafrantic]

hey all.  has anyone ever done a 17t front sprocket?  i am looking for a few more mpg.  would i even get it?  what about added stress and wear?  i am at about 16k and the chain is going to need replacement soon and i may as well do sprockets although the back one doesn't look like it needs it..

[Kerry]

hey all.  has anyone ever done a 17t front sprocket?

Not very many, but don't let that stop you!

i am looking for a few more mpg.  would i even get it?

Good question!  Front sprockets don't cost that much; if it does increase your MPG it wouldn't take too long (at today's gas prices!) to make up the cost.  If it doesn't help the MPG at all, you're still not out a lot.  The biggest thing you'll probably notice is the need to rev higher to get going from a stop, plus the need to shift down sooner when you need power.

what about added stress and wear?

Having more teeth in front should reduce wear ... on the front sprocket at least.  Not sure about "stress".

i am at about 16k and the chain is going to need replacement soon and i may as well do sprockets although the back one doesn't look like it needs it..

I would be VERY surprised if your rear sprocket needs replacing ... now or ever.  (Just ask gsJack!)  My (original) rear sprocket has ~40,000 miles on it so far.

[wera90ex]

Sure I've done that . Just depends on what track I'm @. Had to slip the clutch a little more on the start and didn't have quite as much off the corners. But didn't run out of gear half way down some massive back straight.

[04gs]

before you swap sprockets at least get a base mpg from a full tank and go on a 70-100 mile ride on a nice day and do an average of 50-60 mph if roads permit.  THEN swap sprockets and note mpg from that.

the only added wear will come from slipping the clutch more from dead stops, but if you get stiffer springs then that would help a lot.

the only reason i would get the 17t front sprocket is if the bike was a daily driver and i used the interstate to travel 50+ miles to and from work, on back roads where you will be doing under 50mph i don't see it making a big difference, but try and see what happens.

with my 15t front, k@n, and V@H exhaust i manage 55-59mpg on back roads.  Having the 17 would not be fun for me since i run my bike harder.

[dadsafrantic]

thanks.  i do use the bike for a daily commuter with about 40 freeway miles each way.  if the sprocket looks ok i may not bother.  how many miles do you have on you bike?

[galahs]

I was wishing I fitted a 17 tooth sprocket after just completing a 12,000km tour around Australia's outback.

I really wish I had one to reduce the 6,500RPM for hours on hours at a constant 130km/h in an Australian summer.

[ohgood]

before you swap sprockets at least get a base mpg from a full tank and go on a 70-100 mile ride on a nice day and do an average of 50-60 mph if roads permit.  THEN swap sprockets and note mpg from that.

the only added wear will come from slipping the clutch more from dead stops, but if you get stiffer springs then that would help a lot.

the only reason i would get the 17t front sprocket is if the bike was a daily driver and i used the interstate to travel 50+ miles to and from work, on back roads where you will be doing under 50mph i don't see it making a big difference, but try and see what happens.

with my 15t front, k@n, and V@H exhaust i manage 55-59mpg on back roads.  Having the 17 would not be fun for me since i run my bike harder.