Sprocket sets - Road usage

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Vard66
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Sprocket sets - Road usage

Post by Vard66 »

What do we reckon, guys and gals?

15/45 is standard, but is it worth putting a smaller cog on the front, or a larger one on the back - will it be bearable for everyday usage?

Going full out and putting a 14/47 set on is bound to generate a fair pickup increase, but will it drive me absolutely bonkers when I try to cruise?

I want a little more pickup, but nothing that's going to utterly destroy any kind of comfortable cruising for the days when I don't want to pin it everywhere ... (if there are such days).

Also, do I remember there being a specific hole pattern for ZXR 400 Sprockets?

If so, can someone remind me what it is?

Big clear writing, please folks. I'll be ordering when I get back in from the pub. confuddled :?
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Re: Sprocket sets - Road usage

Post by deviant »

14/47 is fine on the road. All it means is that you are at 8krpm at 70mph rather than 7krpm. There's no significant difference in engine noise or vibration between those speeds.

Do it.
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Re: Sprocket sets - Road usage

Post by Vard66 »

WIN.
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Re: Sprocket sets - Road usage

Post by hciR »

I changed the sprokets to I think 14/47 a while back, but didn't get on with it. I found for normal riding you have to change gear so often it gets annoying, mind you even now with standard gearing I still want them to be longer. Probably 'cos I'm used to the car which has less gears and longer ratio's.
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Re: Sprocket sets - Road usage

Post by Vard66 »

Vard66 wrote:Also, do I remember there being a specific hole pattern for ZXR 400 Sprockets?

If so, can someone remind me what it is?
Just want to reiterate this. I'm betting sprockets aren't generic across manufacturers, so what am I looking for to confirm they are Kwak fitment sprockets?
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Re: Sprocket sets - Road usage

Post by Jeppo »

I'm running 14/45 DID sprockets. You can feel the improvement, its just a bit louder when cruising at 70, 8krpm as opposed to 7. I've had 120+ out of it and it was still just going before i backed off. 140mph is really unecessary on the road lol.
I rarely take it past 100, i just don't get a kick out of huge straight line speed...But its nice to know the speed is there :smt003
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Re: Sprocket sets - Road usage

Post by crushedlizard »

I ran 14/47 and thought it was perfect for the road / engine size. Pretty sure I remember it making 1st gear almost pointless, but I thought overall it suited the bike really well.
Contrary to what you'd think, I found I didn't have to shift as much, as you're ever far from the powerband, you can do lazy overtakes. I even did the London to Brighton and the motorway miles didn't bother me too much.

Pretty sure you can use standard chain length too. Deviant knows, I'm sure. I quizzed him before I bought mine.

If you were local, I'd let you try my Renthals out - my bikes in bits at the moment!
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Re: Sprocket sets - Road usage

Post by deviant »

Vard66 wrote:Just want to reiterate this. I'm betting sprockets aren't generic across manufacturers, so what am I looking for to confirm they are Kwak fitment sprockets?
You're right, they aren't. You need to order ones for the ZXR.

http://bandcexpress.com/cgi-bin/bc_page ... v=Kawasaki

scroll down till you get to ZX400L.

the last number in the part code is the number of teeth, eg 184-520-47HA is a 47T rear sprocket, 280-520-14 is a 14T front sprocket.

The standard 110(?) link chain is fine with those sprockets. I've got a tsubaki one (also from B&C) on mine and it's lasting pretty well - I do have a scottoiler on the bike though.
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Re: Sprocket sets - Road usage

Post by Vard66 »

Spanking. That's the answer I was looking for, thanks guys!

And thanks for the offer, Crush, but sadly Sussex is a little way away... winks
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