So I am looking to change my sprocket for more acceleration. I think a 1 tooth drop in the front is about the same as adding 3 to the rear, right? What are the advantages to changing the front as opposed to the rear? All things being the same, I would choose the easier route...

C

16F/41R= Gear Ratio of 2.56 17F/43R = Gear Ratio of 2.53. Close

Chain Length becomes important when changing out the rear. You need at least 3 bars of stretch to fit on 43 Rear Sprocket.

there are horror stories on here about the front sprocket nut not coming off, but i got out the 1/2" drive impact and barley touched the trigger and the nut was on the floor lol. I went down 1 on the front and up 2 on the rear and it made it a whole different animal. It gave the bike all the power you'd want for everyday street riding, but on the downside you may lose a little top end speed which in my case was very far and few in between so I don't miss it any. just be careful with this setup cuz the front end will get light on you quick if your not careful lol

ps this setup allows for the use of your stock chain

* Last updated by: scottjkyl on 7/19/2012 @ 4:38 PM *

+1, 16/43 was great! I was running 16/43 on my 07.... Worked very well for me (215-225).

I believe the new one has a 42 rear sprocket.Mine has a 41 with a 16 front.The 43 rear just feels nuts.Well it is nuts.
Craig

I think the point about needing a new chain if I add teeth in the rear will make the decision for me. It sounds like putting a 16 on the front will be a lot cheaper, and I have an impact wrench so it shouldn't too hard a job to do.

I just got back from reinstalling my 43 rear sprocket.It's a alluminum hardened black sprocket made by Vortex.Still have the steel front 16.Torqed the 5 nuts to 45 ft lbs.Made sure it was alaigned and lubed the chain.And whoa yes!!
Hold on.Took 3rd 4th and 5th to 9 grand and it didn't take that long to do it.Turned around and hit the gas in first and just at 7 grand the front wheel started bouncing off the ground.My speedo is off by 5 according to the gearcommander site.
Craig

The Vortex will wear pretty fast. I think I have about 20K on mine and a slight hook is visible on the back of the teeth. No biggy. Too cool to worry about short duty life. $70. I'll change to another aluminum. No broken teeth on this one.

This might help, Caroobs.

CHAIN AND SPROCKETS REPLACEMENT

Damn Rook, what a great thread! That's pretty much what I was hoping to get here. Man I know it's been said a lot, but your how-to's really are very good. I can honestly say that those are the best resources I've found anywhere for working on my bike.

I'm not worrorying about wear Rook.I paid $58 and it's hardened.The fun factor is too great.I looked at my steel one and the alluminum one.The Vortex has about 4000 miles and the steel one 2000 miles.Wear seemed the same.If I get 20000 miles I'll gladly handover $58.It just runs too good.
Craig

Ok so the rear sprocket now seems the better way to go. Kinda sucks I have to spend so much on a new chain though...

As for tools, anyone ever use Stockton stuff? I see Cycle Gear has a chain tool on sale for $30 - worth getting at all, or just cheap crap?
http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/Chain_Breaker_and_Rivet_Tool_Kit/web1006916

BTW Rook, did you end up staying with that 17/45 setup or what?

* Last updated by: Caroobs on 7/23/2012 @ 1:12 PM *

Man I know it's been said a lot, but your how-to's really are very good. I can honestly say that those are the best resources I've found anywhere for working on my bike.

^^Have not ever tried that kind of chain breaker. Have heard a LOT of stories about people having trouble with them though. To bad Grn14 is on his break from the forum because he had one like that. I decided to go with a big beefy chain tool like this:

or even better, this

but really, this is what caught my eye. cost me as much as a new chain but will serve me for life. The EK Chain Tool.

I would stay away from stuff like this. Too small for a big chain. parts might bend I was told. Other say it worked fine but just barely strong enough.

If you are going from 41T to 43T and staying with the 17T front, the stock chain is prolly long enough if it has stretched to the 3rd mark as Romans suggested. You may need to pull the wheel all the way forward in the swingarm slots but that will be fine. Would be worth while to change sprockets and just try the OEM chain to see if it will fit. If not, you order a new one along with the chain breaker.

* Last updated by: Rook on 7/23/2012 @ 10:44 PM *

The bottom looks like my old Motion PRO.I used it once and it broke off that slender handle.I got to work long enough to get the chain done.The chain worked but I would never use this piece of crap again.I'll pay this mechanic to do a chain for me when I'm ready.I had this same guy make up 17/49 and a good chain on my ZRX 1100.It stock gearing was 17/45 like the ZX-11.Man would that bike Wheelie.
Craig

^^those are the kind of stories I have heard about the small chain tools. Made me decide to go with a big strong chain tool instead of a lower priced one. I checked this out on bikeland to, Caroobs. Same stories. If you grind the pin head down very flat to the side plate before pushing the pin out, it will still require a lot of force to push it out. It also takes a great deal of torque to mushroom the new pin head.

If you get a new chain, I liked the spacers that were included with the EK ZZZ chain I bought. that system eradicates any chance of overtightening the connecting link.

Also, when ordering sprockets and chain make sure you get the same pitch for each. I think it is supposed to be 530 pitch for the ZX-14. I would not go smaller. That will save a significant amount of weight but not strong enough for the massive torque of a hyperbike.

* Last updated by: Rook on 7/24/2012 @ 8:16 PM *

Dang, well now I'm looking at about $500 to go to the 45 rear sprocket. With only 11k miles on my chain, it seems kinda wasteful to just throw it away. Maybe I'll do the 16 front and 42 or 43 rear for now, and when I'm replacing the chain anyway look again at moving to a 17/45 setup.

I could go sub-$100 with say, a -1/+1 set up (-1 on output is basically equivalent to about +3 on rear, right?). Though, is it really worth changing the rear if I only add 1 tooth? I'm 190, and I already have problems keeping the front wheel close to the ground in first, and it's awfully light in second even when I just roll throttle, so I wonder if the 16/43 might be a little too crazy.

Also, when ordering sprockets and chain make sure you get the same pitch for each. I think it is supposed to be 535 pitch for the ZX-14.

rook the 14 is a 530 pitch

I'm 190, and I already have problems keeping the front wheel close to the ground in first, and it's awfully light in second even when I just roll throttle, so I wonder if the 16/43 might be a little too crazy.

do the 16/43 you won't be disappointed. my chain has 10,000mi on it and i did the 16/43 and kept the stock chain, alls good so far but will be changing all 3 next spring

and if you don't have one yet you'll need to get a speedo healer

thanks for correction Scotty. I went back and changed my statement.

(-1 on output is basically equivalent to about +3 on rear, right?).

right.

I changed my chain at about 11K. Would have gone a long time before it really needed it. Your idea about just changing sprockets sounds like a good one. I like the 45T rear because it looks cool and it would be easy to convert back to stock gearing when I want. Never have gone back to stock gearing though.

I did a OEM zepher front sprocket, and love it. Its -1 compared to ours, but it still has the stock rubber bushings so it doesnt have that decel hum that my vortex sprocket had.

I love my 16/43 sprockets.i get that evil look in my eyes in the lower gears when the revvs spin up.LOLI wonder how Muzzys Bonneville Pro works instead of the speedohealer?
Craig

wonder how Muzzys Bonneville Pro works instead of the speedohealer?

works like a dream and easy setup. cannot comment on the de-limiter yet though lol

Thanks Scotti;
I;m getting one then.I can check it against the gearing commander site.At 4 grand it'd list 65 mine says 70.I can adjust this for whatever I need.I don't like my speedohealer.It's too hard to change.
Craig

* Last updated by: audioboyz on 7/25/2012 @ 1:06 PM *

I have the speedohealer, and I find it pretty simple to install and use. Had to read the instructions for it though, because no way I would have figured that out on my own! Plus, I really do like the idea that I know exactly how fast I'm going now and the top speed recall is pretty neat too.

So it sounds like the 16/43 route is a good one to take, so that's what it'll be. I am glad we have an option with that rubber bushing, because I definitely don't need a noisy sprocket. I'll pick that up and the Vortex rear for the next rainy weekend. We've been getting a ton of rain here lately in New Orleans, so unfortunately I have plenty of opportunities to play mechanic.

Many thanks to everyone that chimed in with opinions on this. Great thread!

The Zephyr sprocket will surely weigh more than an aftemarket. Prolly not a huge factor but to me, I can't stand replacing OE with aftermarket stuff that weighs same or more.