[raidinmd]

do you have the stock exhaust can? shouldn't be that loud if you do... my yosh pipe gets crackin and I love that.

[Eastern Bloc]

I have the stock can .. the bike isn't loud, but i just thought it would be nice to keep the rpms below 6000 at 130 km/h

[raidinmd]

ah, I can barely hear the bike at that speed with all the wind noise, but that might because i'm a bit deaf, but that's another story lol

[Eastern Bloc]

I can't withstand wind noise while riding, that's why I always wear ear plugs .. those totally block out the wind noise but not the engine sound.

[TRPUT]

stock gears are the best unless you drop one up ft and gain pull aways and loose some on top

There is no "best". There is "best for intended use". I'm running 16/39 because the bike is used 90% for touring. Revs at our legal limit dropped from around 5000rpm to 3900rpm. Economy significantly improved. Much more relaxed. Stock gearing is simply the best compromise.

[GSXFJim]

ah, I can barely hear the bike at that speed with all the wind noise..

That could be your helmet too. My HJC was super noisy, it had the covers over the shield pivot points that created a ton of noise, ear plugs were a must. My new Scorpion is much quieter it has flush attach points for the shield.

[raidinmd]

what model HJC where you using? I just bought a HJC CL17

[Eastern Bloc]

There is no "best". There is "best for intended use". I'm running 16/39 because the bike is used 90% for touring. Revs at our legal limit dropped from around 5000rpm to 3900rpm. Economy significantly improved. Much more relaxed. Stock gearing is simply the best compromise.

Exactly! it's all about intended use. I'm a tourer myself, and I'd settle for a 16/44 setup since we're 2 up on most tours so can't afford to loose much torque with 150kg "330 lbs" net weight on the saddle..

At your 16/39 setup, did you have to modify the stock 118 chain length too? what was there to grind off to make the 16 fit?

As for wind noise, I have the Caberg Modus flip up and it's "terrible" when it comes to aerodynamic noise .. I need a flip up, and wish I'd gone for the Nolan N104 instead.

[TRPUT]

Exactly! it's all about intended use. I'm a tourer myself, and I'd settle for a 16/44 setup since we're 2 up on most tours so can't afford to loose much torque with 150kg "330 lbs" net weight on the saddle..

At your 16/39 setup, did you have to modify the stock 118 chain length too? what was there to grind off to make the 16 fit?

My touring load is around 120kg - and that includes a couple of drag-adding hard panniers. Bike copes fine, but recently cruising into a 40 knot head wind was better in 5th gear and about 4500rpm.

114 link chain (on a post Kat) is spot on. ie lose 2 links.

Grinding ... you'll see when you fit it up. It's almost the centre mounting post to the rear of the sprocket which just catches the sprocket. You don't have to cut it right off - just nick out enough so the sprocket spins freely. The sprocket clears the bolt.

However, standard rear sprockets run to 42T, so you could take an easier option and just run 15/42 which will achieve almost the same as 16/44. It's then a cheaper option to swap a 16T into the front if you want to go the next step.

[raidinmd]

bumping with another question, so I installed the new chain and sprockets and the RK I got came pre-coated in a heavy white looking grease, should I leave that on or give it a complete chain cleaning and re-lube it with chain wax?

[Kreylyn]

bumping with another question, so I installed the new chain and sprockets and the RK I got came pre-coated in a heavy white looking grease, should I leave that on or give it a complete chain cleaning and re-lube it with chain wax?

At minimal wipe off the excess. (or you will have a nasty mess under the chain cover.)


It's a chain grease, the same stuff they use in side the links. There will be a tiny tube of it for the master link when you assemble it. It's not quite the same as general purpose chain lube. I would clean off the excess and lube the chain going forward with the appropriate lube. If you prefer a really "clean" looking chain with light weight lube, then your gonna wanna do a heavier cleaning for the grease.


Krey

[raidinmd]

chain cover? what that? lol mine didn't have one when I bought it, been meaning to get one, which ones will fit my post kat?
edit: here is a pic of the new sprockets, thanks Jim they look great!

[92xjunker]

He does great work.

[GSXFJim]

You still haven't got a cover??

Thanks for the props...

[raidinmd]

I never had one, and with everything else that has been going on with my truck I just haven't had time or money to get it, also still not sure what chain guard fits mine