smokinjoe73

Here are my questions. I have searched my *** off but results are conflicting.

What is stock gearing and it is the same for all yrs?

What is stock chain length, I think its 102.

I got confused becuase I went down one in front to a 15 on my 98 but then swapped in an 05 motor which also had a 15. So did it change over the yrs?

saige

its 16/41 chain 102 links.same across all years.

7moore7

16/41 for all years I'm very certain. So I'd guess it had been swapped before.

You're correct on the 102. This will work for 16/42 and 16/43, I have not personally measured for any other combos. My bike came with 15/44 which was nuts, although I didn't measure the chain when I took it off.

jeephawk

go 16/43. If your thinking of changing it up. Youll like it. Stoick is just wrong imao.

7moore7

With supersprox, pilot powers, and lightened flywheel, 16/42 is the sweet spot for me.

Jack Flash

I have access to three different motorcycle suppliers because of the nature of my work. My reference charts for all three are the same.

16/41 gearing, 530 chaine, 120 links

102 will probably be too short, unless you wish to shorten wheel base.
Even then, I don't think it will work, way too short.

smokinjoe73

Thanks guys.

HRCA#1

16/43 will work with 102 links but it does shorten the wheelbase and moves the adjusters to their forward limit. If I had to do it over I'd go 104 just to move the wheelbase back a bit.

7moore7

Incorrect. They list that because stock chains come in pre-set lengths. So they will list the closest length that is above what is run on the bike, intending for you to cut it down. In other words, if a GSXR were to run a 114 link chain, they would sell you a 120 as well. Or if another bike were to run a 98, they would sell you a 100 link chain.

I doubt anyone is running gearing to get close to a 120 length chain on this bike (go out and count yours ).

edit: surfer beat me to it!

Jack Flash

Thanks 7, but I know how they calculate it.

Did do some searching on this and it's just as extra info if anyone interested. Four different chaine manufacturers I
have access to. DID, EK, RK & UMI. 2 out of the four offer the 102 chaine
straight out of the box. EK & RK both offer the 102 link chaine out of the box, and meet the specs for the VTR.

The worst part of this is, I did split the chaine off my '98 after replacing it.
It was such a long time ago, I coudn't remember having done it...

7moore7

Wasn't trying to undermine ya, just didn't want anyone getting confused out there!

Jack Flash

Tell me 7moore, how much weight did you remove from your flywheel ?

I know Marquez took about 5lbs, but not really sure I want to go all that much. Just trying to get a feel....and yes I'm now off the subject at hand.

7moore7

I bought mine of of Mike (8541Hawk), who had 1/4" turned off of the radius, so 1/2" in total diameter removed. No re-balancing or anything. I never actually measured the difference in weight, but being that all of the material came off of the OD the difference was noticeable (and very fun... I had to learn to use smoother throttle acceleration/deceleration!)

Lighter vs. stock:

Jack Flash

Thanks 7. At 1/2'', your in the few bounds area. Bottom line, is that you
appreciate the new engine that came with the mod. I'm looking to do this over the winter, and since I can't test before spring time, I'm looking for
feed back from members and which way they went with this mod in particular.

Ah damn !, Like the flu, I can feel I caught OCDM

twist

I'm looking in and curious about the gearing. I have a 2002 VTR with stock gearing. What will going to a 16/43 do for the bike?

twist

can it spread thru the internet?

smokinjoe73

For me I would sooner go 15 in the front since it changes chain length less.(and therefore wheelbase).

My new chain is an EK quadra Xring 520 pitch. Did a 530 last change but want to try the lighter setup.

nath981

as much riding as you do, you'll love the lighter set-up of the 520's reduced spinning weight which translates into noticeable lithe, smoothness, quickness and agility. The best mine's ever been is with power pures(i loved their lightness), 520 Afam sprocket, RK chain,and lighter wheels. That's about all you could do without gettin into the engine and it is an awesome combo.

my chain is cut 2 links shorter than OEM, to 100, with the 15/44 and the present 43, and that makes it the shortest it can be, i.e,.just enough room to push the wheel up to remove the chain when changing tires. This makes chain adjustment a little touchy in that it requires erring on the side of loose because there is less length/span to play with.

I mistakenly adjusted mine a little snug once and noticed that the rear shock was unable to extend on high speed undulating turns, similar to if your shock is bottoming out. What a dumbass! I call it learning the real way. ha

Anyway, this is I believe what caused the stretch/tight spot I have now. I will do the 100 link next chain because i like the feeling of the wheel max forward, but I will be careful to err on the side of looseness because of the shorter chain span, and will go with a supersprox dual metal to better balance service life of the next 520 set-up.

Of course, no 520 set up is going to last as long as heavy duty 530s, but with the improved quality of today's 520 components, you can achieve reasonable service life, especially if the components are matched or balanced to wear similarly, and thus be able to enjoy all the positive attributes of reduced spinning weight.

25,000 miles would not be an unrealistic lifespan for this set-up and with gentile inputs and proper maintenance, probably longer, but I'll leave that for someone else to determine cause i like to put a little more spirit into my riding and take what i get.

7moore7

+1, it's just about priorities. Both setups are good, I run higher gearing and heavier chain b/c I commute and would like the slightly longer lifespan over the slight performance advantage.

Joe, the only downside to going down to 15 in the front would be that the front sprocket will wear quicker. The more the teeth pass through the chain the more they will wear (a small difference, but, hey, it's there!). Also, some people see the smaller wheelbase as a bonus, not a penalty. But again, it's all priorities!