Technical Discussion Topics related to Technical Issues

Chain + Sprocket replacement questions... Sprocket Size vs. Chain Length.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 19, 2007 | 05:17 PM
  #1  
duran's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26
duran is on a distinguished road
Chain + Sprocket replacement questions... Sprocket Size vs. Chain Length.

The Rear sprocket I have on my bike now has 41 teeth.

I just got a "kit" that is a front 16 tooth (Sunstar Part # 52216) and a rear sprocket with 43 teeth. (Sunstar Part # 2-548643)

The chain I got is a RK RX-Ring Chain GB530XS0Z 1 with 116 links.

The Manual I have for the bike says the default length for the chain is 102 Links.

Does anyone know the math on the super hawk for how many teeth on the rear sprocket = how many links on the chain. I figure with 2 more teeth, its going to need more links on the chain to deal with the increased circumference.

The question is... Do I need to cut the chain?
Come Saturday when I'm doing the work, I figure I can test the length of the chain prior to any cutting, but I thought I'd ask here first.

Thanks!
Old Jun 19, 2007 | 06:05 PM
  #2  
NovaWildcat08's Avatar
Senior Member
Back Marker
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 139
From: Northern Vermont
NovaWildcat08
The rule of thumb I've seen is + or - two teeth difference, you're fine with stock length (102).

I'm certain that 16/43 works with stock because thats what I've got on right now. Also, if you decide to drop a tooth in the front (15/43) then thats a +1 difference (-1 +2) and you're also fine. I hope that makes sense.
Old Jun 19, 2007 | 06:43 PM
  #3  
duran's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Squid
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 26
duran is on a distinguished road
Thanks for the reply.
the new front sprocket is still stock, at 16 teeth.
Old Jun 20, 2007 | 07:00 PM
  #4  
J.J.'s Avatar
Senior Member
Back Marker
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 158
J.J. is on a distinguished road
What Nova said...
Old Jun 21, 2007 | 01:36 PM
  #5  
TREE TECH's Avatar
Junior Member
Squid
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 9
From: henderson,nc
TREE TECH is on a distinguished road
I just put a 43tooth on mine last night, with the stock chain and front sprocket. Fits fine, you do have to slide the wheel up alot more to get the proper slack though.. I love the idea of having a shorter wheel base now more like my cbrs I used to have.. Really wakes up the lazy tach now, comes up in second now with a slight tug on the clip ons... Makes the Hawk even more fun to ride!!!
Old Jul 31, 2007 | 09:44 AM
  #6  
happytrack44's Avatar
WERA #44
Superstock
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 265
From: About 57 miles south of VIR
happytrack44 is on a distinguished road
Moving the rear wheel forward will make it steer quicker, and make it twitchy.
Not really a problem, but be careful in the wet or on dirt roads, as stability is changed.
Old Jul 31, 2007 | 10:38 AM
  #7  
Tucknroll's Avatar
Member
Squid
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
From: Oregon
Tucknroll is on a distinguished road
I also went 16/43 last week. I agree, it is a great combo, gets me in 6th gear now which was pretty much useless before.
I do agree with the other post, take the first few rides easy till you get used to the shorter wheel base.
All in all your gonna love it..... My opinion anyway.
Old Aug 26, 2007 | 08:50 AM
  #8  
Doc's Avatar
Doc
Member
Squid
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 34
Doc is on a distinguished road
Can anyone verify the 102 links in the stock chain? I went to a cycle parts shop yesterday and they told me to buy a 120 link chain. I insisted it was a 102, and they checked TWO chain manufacturers which both said 120... I ended up not coming home with the desperately needed chain as they only had 110 link chains in stock at this time.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Old Aug 26, 2007 | 09:49 AM
  #9  
RK1's Avatar
RK1
Senior Member
MotoGP
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
RK1 is on a distinguished road
Per the Honda Service Manual the stock chain is indeed 102 links.
Old Aug 26, 2007 | 02:20 PM
  #10  
Doc's Avatar
Doc
Member
Squid
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 34
Doc is on a distinguished road
Originally Posted by RK1
Per the Honda Service Manual the stock chain is indeed 102 links.
I know. But try looking it up on Chaparral or Bike Bandit, they both spec. 120 links... strange!
Old Aug 26, 2007 | 02:49 PM
  #11  
RK1's Avatar
RK1
Senior Member
MotoGP
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
RK1 is on a distinguished road
Doc;

I saw another site claimed it was 112. I just now jacked up the rear wheel, marked a side plate on my OEM chain and counted. 51 side plates with two links per plate = 102.
Old Aug 26, 2007 | 03:16 PM
  #12  
Doc's Avatar
Doc
Member
Squid
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 34
Doc is on a distinguished road
Originally Posted by RK1
Doc;

I saw another site claimed it was 112. I just now jacked up the rear wheel, marked a side plate on my OEM chain and counted. 51 side plates with two links per plate = 102.
Wow, now that is definitive! I guess the chain companies want to sell a few extra links.

Thanks!
Old Aug 26, 2007 | 03:24 PM
  #13  
RK1's Avatar
RK1
Senior Member
MotoGP
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,547
From: Way Out West
RK1 is on a distinguished road
Doc;

No sweat, I wanted to make sure myself.

I thought maybe the retailers didn't want to stock different length chains so were selling "one size fits all" with a master link expecting folks to punch out what they don't need, but I looked at the Bike Bandit site you mentioned and they stock RK 530X102 so go figure.
Old Aug 26, 2007 | 07:45 PM
  #14  
Hawkrider's Avatar
Administrator
World Champion
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105,287
From: Fulton, MO
Hawkrider will become famous soon enoughHawkrider will become famous soon enough
Most sell the chain in lengths of 100 or 120. Some will sell you exactly what you want. Some are just plain f'ed up.
Old Aug 26, 2007 | 08:34 PM
  #15  
skokievtr's Avatar
RUNLEVELZERO #99
SuperBike
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,218
From: Skokie
skokievtr is on a distinguished road
16/43

Originally Posted by Tucknroll
I also went 16/43 last week. I agree, it is a great combo, gets me in 6th gear now which was pretty much useless before.
I do agree with the other post, take the first few rides easy till you get used to the shorter wheel base.
All in all your gonna love it..... My opinion anyway.
A 43 rear is better for most street riding but I find myself looking for another gear on the slab. A gear indicator would be nice as I forget but I'm old. Milage suffers with a 43 but jetting plays a bigger part when hammering anyway...
Old Aug 27, 2007 | 05:51 AM
  #16  
MUHerdFan's Avatar
Senior Member
Superstock
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 276
From: Ranson, WV
MUHerdFan is on a distinguished road
I have the same Sunstar setup in 16/43. I used the stock chain length (DID X-ring, riveted, 102 links). I'm never figured out what mileage I had on stock sprockets as I changed them when I bought this bike. I'm getting around 39.5MPG with K&N, WileyCo pipes, and no jetting.
Old Aug 27, 2007 | 07:57 AM
  #17  
Tom Blum's Avatar
Senior Member
Back Marker
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 160
From: Winter Haven, Florida
Tom Blum is on a distinguished road
Just to get the data into the forum where a search might find it.

I'm getting ready for a new chain. Stock gearing is fine with me. I wanted to stay with 530 chain size for maximum wear.

I was amazed to find out the a chain kit from Service Honda was priced under $200. part number 06406-MBB-E01 priced net at $193.54

All the after market parts houses were over $200.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
beechnut
Knowledge Base
6
Nov 13, 2013 10:04 PM
meanhawk98
Technical Discussion
32
May 22, 2012 09:41 PM
alive226
Modifications - Performance
12
Nov 5, 2011 04:50 PM
smokinjoe73
Technical Discussion
2
Jun 3, 2009 07:30 AM
willie
Modifications - Performance
3
May 1, 2007 01:52 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:15 PM.


Top

© 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands



When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.