Changing the gearing
Sat, 03/04/2010 - 12:23
I bought a naked bike in December (KTM 950 SMR) and want to change the gearing - I've never done anything like this before so I have two questions:
Is it better to reduce the front sprocket or increase the rear sprocket?
Easy to change the front sprocket for an newbie home mechanic?
Sat, 03/04/2010 - 23:44
#2
Yes KA I'm gearing down. I'm not likely to
Yes KA I'm gearing down. I'm not likely to get near the top speed of c. 140 and want to access the acceleration in the 50 - 80 mph range where I tend to ride and have better control at town speeds.
It looks like most people drop one on the front rather than add anything to the rear but KTM sell "stealth" sprockets for the rear which are a mix of aluminium (inner) & steel (outer) which look interesting. I guess it would reduce the unsprung weight on the rear which everyone seems to think is a good idea.
As I'm a mechanical beginner the idea of removing the rear wheel is a bit daunting so I'll probably change the front sprocket this time and the rear next (as I improve my confidence)
One of my new year's resolutions was to get more hands on with my bikes- I've yet to clean my brakes, change the pads, change a chain etc. Probably seems a bit odd to to a seasoned pro!
You're gearing down presumably... It'll depend on what sprockets are available of course, but I'd go for a larger rear if possible as a smaller front can noticeably increase chain wear, and the sprocket itself will wear faster too - fewer teeth dealing with the same torque, and the chain turning through a smaller diameter path. You get finer changes with the rear sprocket too - one tooth difference at the front is a bigger percentage change than two at the back.
Note you might need an extra tooth in the chain, if there's not enough adjustment left to move the rear wheel forward. I'd have thought changing the rear isn't too hard as it only means removing the back wheel, which is relatively straightforward, then unbolting the sprocket from that. But note where the spacers come from and which way round they are as you take it apart.
I imagine KTM has a range of sprockets, or at least they'll know where to get them.