Chain/sprockets

[AcIdBuRnZ]

Hi,

Looking to replace the chain/sprocket set soon on the ER-5.

Now, I was wondering if it was a good idea to improve the acceleration a bit - is this down gearing???

How would that affect the speedo? Would there be a significant increase in acceleration or is it not worth it?

Thanks,

Mark
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Past: Honda NSR125R >> Kawasaki ER-5a2 >> Kawasaki ZZR-600e1 >> Suzuki GSXR-750Y >> Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm
"Chickity China the Chinese Chicken..."

[Flip]

I think it is called 'down gearing' and should add plenty but remember it will take a bit off your top end (but how often to you reach top end anyway?)

It only affects your speed on certain bikes (can't remember how it works!), not sure about yours though? If it doesn't. DO IT!

I read somewhere that it'll lower your MPG slightly (if you thrash it).

Sorry I can't be of more help

[Ste]

If the speedo is driven from the gearbox rather than the front wheel then down gearing will make your speedo over read by about 25% if you down gear it lots and about 10-15% if you down gear it a more sedately.

You can buy gadgets to correct the speedo if you've down geared your bike and it's driven from the gearbox, someone else will be able to say more about them.

It does improve your acceleration and knock a bit off your top end, nut as flip says how often do you use your top end?

I'd say it is worth doing, probably something like about 1 tooth down at the front sprocket and 2 up at the back, (one down at the front is the same as I think it is four at the back). It's worth doing as that won't effect the top end more than ~20-15mph so the power is more useable. If you use it commuting or in any traffic the better acceleration will be useful.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Acceleration might be improved and top speed might be reduced. Fuel consumption will almost certainly be reduced.

Suspect the ER5 already runs fairly low gearing and as such you probably will not gain much.

Once out of first gear it will be irrelevant anyway as you could just use a lower gear for much the same effect.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[AcIdBuRnZ]

Cheers for the replies

Might just keep them standard.

Next question!!!

Any idea how much a garage would cost to do this? Should I buy the parts myself and get them to fit them?
____________________
Past: Honda NSR125R >> Kawasaki ER-5a2 >> Kawasaki ZZR-600e1 >> Suzuki GSXR-750Y >> Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm
"Chickity China the Chinese Chicken..."

[PsychoHippy]

[Scotsman37]

My friend had it done by a mechanic on his Kawasaki Zephyr 550 and had the front & rear sprockets changed and it does make a difference to the acceleration. It's true he lost about 10 - 15 mph off the top end but who ever reaches over 100mph
these days with speed cameras all over the place! Yes, it only took 1 hour at most to do the job.

With the added acceleration he can pull very quickly away and surprise others on their 750 or greater because they expect to leave him behind almost straight away but they don't and it makes them think what kind of bike is that as they are looking at him ???? Of course on a long straight 750 or greater would leave him behind but when it comes to winding roads he can be right on their heels!

There is only very slight increase in fuel consumption and so maybe having to fill up 10 miles earlier than you would normally would do on a full tank.

[Villers]

Unless you have a chain splitter (or grinder!) and a chain riveter then its probably best just letting the garage do it tbh. A guy at work done his own and for some reason it kinked on him on the way home from work and put a big scar through some casing or other!

[Silver]