I just went with a 520 chain and 15/42 tooth sprockets.
WoW it makes a very noticeable difference !
The S'hawk runs much better now!
It makes it seem like the stock gearing is way too high & the motor was working too hard (lugging)
Now the 15/43 makes it seem just about right.
It's down right "zippy" around town now !

There is a guy on eBay that sells the setup for $139.99 + shipping
RK RB520GXW gold chain, Vortex 15 steel front & 43 alloy rear sprockets
http://stores.ebay.com/SUM-OF-ALL-PARTS-STORE
You'll either need their Motion Pro chain tool or a local motorcycle shop to install it.

 

I ran a 520 chain a -1 up front when I had my R6.....and 1st gear was insane, and 6th just pulled so hard...I'm trying to imagine what -1 up front and +2 in the rear AND a 520 would do for the already torquey Hawk.....

Good to hear it makes a good difference though...I know on some bikes (Duc Monster 720Sie) it doesn't feel like it does crap..

 

I was worried it would want to 'wheelie' too much but it doesn't seem too bad at all.
Lets the engine spin up much faster.
Did a 60 mile test ride yesterday to get used to it.
No problems at all (the new Ohlins was pretty smooth too!)
Certainly makes it much better below the magic 6k RPM to redline sweet spot and really 'bright' thru the sweet spot RPM range.
Does lift the front a bit on full throttle roll on in 3rd, 4th,& 5th.
I had to slow down after the 4/5 shift due to road conditions & speed.
I tried to stay off it some in 1st & 2nd shifts. Just smooth shifts with fairly quick but not snappy fast throttle twist.



Oh, almost forgot....added a Speedohealer to adjust the additional speedo error created by lower gears. Figured 5% stock error & used their on line calculator to correct for the gearing change from stock. Came up with a total 15.6% correction (or 'there abouts' if i remember correctly from last night)
Would like to borrow a GPS some day to dial it in just right.



Speedohealer 'on line' correction calculator here (button at top center of page)
http://www.speedohealer.com/eng/adjust.htm

 

I have an 02 w/ fat jets ,K&N Yosh w/comp baffs 1 down ft 2 up rear 520 chain and it rips. beats my buddies S4r regularly.

 

Wonder if it would make much sense to just add a 43 tooth rear....with the original 16 up front....I was thinking about this so I could do it myself...

Let me know if it makes sense....

 

Heck ya!
You have enough chain to do it.
Woodman has a 43/530 for sale - $15.
It will work with your chain.
https://www.superhawkforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2076
He's in AR so it would only take about 3 days to get here.
I'll help with the install if you want :-)

Bill

 

Found it thanks....I sent him an e-mail about it....

That would tide me over until I can afford to do the full conversion...520 and both sprockets....sometime this spring, or summer, or who knows when I would get around to it....

 

Hey PETEV where are you in Michigan?

 

what is the point of a 520 conversion chain?

 

Lighter weight. Makes a difference to engine response by having a lighter reciprocating assembly, and the chain and sproclets are a part of this.

Does the same thing as a lightened flywheel, or lightweight rear wheel.

 

I've just put the same conversion on my bike, and I agree - what a difference it makes! I find that it reves a lot faster and I found at first that I was caught out a few times and hit the rev limiter! Got it all sorted now and it's a fine mod to do. I just have to get a speedo healer to sort it out!

 

It's an old racers trick, lighter mass spins faster, easier. Downside? Longevity. If the parts are of high quality, the should have an adequate enough lifespan for the average street rider.

I think the critical component for the 'hawk is the chain. A top end 520 chain should have adequate tensile strength to handle the torque; especially during wheelies!!!!!! :-)

 

I'm thinking of doing the same mod to my bike. The only problem is I like doing longer rides and here out west, there's not always a gas station within 100 miles. Can I do the conversion and still do a nice ride without worrying that I'll be out of gas before the next station?

 

The chain will help the mileage, but the sprockets will hurt it. The sprockets (-1, +2) will affect mileage more than a lightened chain.

 

what's stock gearing? I've thought of going just up 2 in the rear like marmaladeboy so it isn't too drastic. or even down 1 in the front... There's too many different combinations

 

16/41

 

I put a 43 on the rear. I like the results I got. It puts a litte more RPMs on each gear, but responds better to roll-ons.
I'm running a 530 chain, stock length. No add ons required.
Quick mod on the cheap. I'm happy. That's what counts.

 

You guys with teh 15/43 setup, what kind of rpm's you running on the interstate. I live in the city but drive the hwy to the mnts and other places. Normally just a 2hr road trip but I don't want to feel like i'm ragging the bike out in 6th gear. Say RPM's at 80mph or so. Also, how's your range on a tank of gas affected?

 

I went from stock to the 15/43 520 a couple of weeks ago. First off you can power the front up in second gear which is nice. Another thing is that the bike seems to perform more like an inline four in that you use all or nearly all of your rev range in all your gears and use all your gears. RPMS at highway speeds are fine but if your buddies on IL4's wanna go fast, wave good bye cause you top out at about 220km/h

In the end, after I get more practice wheelying, I'm going back to 530 16/43.

I don't like the thought of a cheap 520 chain coming off at speed

 

Yeah, NOrrTH. Have fun while you've got it! It may break early, but it won't break anytime soon. (Unless you're stunting and lot, and dumping the clutch, and all..a lot)

I loved the 520 -1/+2 on my nt650, but I don't think I'll go 520 on the SChicken.
As for now, a Sunstar part# 52215, 15 tooth front will go on up front; similar increase to +2 in the back. I'll spend more than $27 on a good, new 530 15/43 kit when I can afford it, in another 3-6,000 miles.

 

Is that front sprocket easy to get off? I havnt even checked it out on my bike yet.

 

Yup