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Chain and sprockets
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
Posts: 991
Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 12:06 am    Post subject: Chain and sprockets Reply with quote

What is a good chain and or sprockets to use?
What are some good tools to use, for cutting and pinning?
Is it O.K. to use more than one master link? Question
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zentime



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
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Location: Massachusetts USA

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 1:46 pm    Post subject: Re: Chain and sprockets Reply with quote

bmcsheehy wrote:
What is a good chain and or sprockets to use?
What are some good tools to use, for cutting and pinning?
Is it O.K. to use more than one master link? Question


I'd go to the XX forum http://cbr.geckobox.net/forum/ and do a search for chain and you'll find more than you ever wanted to know about chains. I think the riveted chains when done properly are considered to be the best. I'm sure there are suggestions for chain tools as well. I borrowed one the last time I did it but don't remember the brand.
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for all the help.
Big Grin
O.K. after extensive reading on the blackbird forum, I have purchased a new chain. I bought an EK ZVX chain. I had replaced the stock front 17 tooth steel sprocket last year with a 16 tooth steel sprocket. The 17 inch car tire on the back was wider and taller than the bike tire. With the smaller front sprocket, it’s about factory gearing now. So I ordered two rear sprockets. The original was a 45 tooth steel sprocket, I bought one each, 48 and 52 tooth aluminum sprockets. For experimentation;
Original ratio was 17 tooth front, 45 rear = 2.65
16 tooth front, 45 rear = 2.81
16 tooth front, 48 rear = 3.00
16 tooth front, 52 rear = 3.25
Buddies Blah Blah Blah
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Bandit Bill



Joined: 31 Jan 2005
Posts: 202
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I also just ordered a replacement chain/sprockets

Same chain, the EK ZVX 530 type.. This will be my third set of chains/sprockets on the bike, the 2nd of this type in 46,000 kms. The last ZVX type lasted 25,000 km's of hard usage. It didn't help that i kept swapping out rear sprockets in search of the perfect gear ratio - I went through 4 sprockets in that time frame, the differential in chain/sprocket wear can shorten the overall life of the chain as a result. I might have squeezed out 3-5,000 km's more from this chain, but i don't like fooling around mid-season when these things wear out and lay the bike up for a week or so while parts come in.

The ZVX is the heaviest duty chain available - Meant for the Hayabusa/ZX12R series HP output.

Funnily enough, i'm going back to the stock Bandit gearing of 45/15 from the 48/15 i'd settled on, for reasons of fuel economy. I've also pulled the thirsty flatslide carbs off the bike, and put my stock Stage 3'd CV carbs back on for the same reason. When your sidecar rig has crappier fuel mileage than your GMC Safari 4.3 litre rolling brick, you know some changes have got to be made Shocked

At the same time, i'm also replacing the original clutch fibers, which also have 46,000 km's on them.. Bandit's reportedly start wearing them out around the 35,000-40,000 km point, depending on treatment and abuse - they've not had a kind life in my hands Big Grin so it's time to change them before they start slipping, rather than when the sidecar body is on and it's that much more of a pain in the arse to take the body off and put it in the shop mid-summer for the requisite replacement.

Bill, i've emailed you a gearing calculator proggy via your hpsidecar.com addy, if you wish to play with it some.
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Bill,
What material were the other rear sprockets and what are you using now?
I have ordered Aluminum rear sprockets, the original was steel.
Buddies
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Bandit Bill



Joined: 31 Jan 2005
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Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 11:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bmcsheehy wrote:
Thanks Bill,
What material were the other rear sprockets and what are you using now?
I have ordered Aluminum rear sprockets, the original was steel.
Buddies


I only use steel sprockets - i'm leery of using aluminum on such a high wear, high torque application.
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bill, I agree about the steel rear sprocket. I haven't been able to find anyone that sells a larger steel sprocket for the blackbird. I did how ever buy a steel sprocket with 48 teeth, stock was 45, that I can machine to make it fit. But for now I wanted to experiment with the Aluminum ones. Once I find the combination I like, I'll probably machine a steel one.
Under Construction
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Bandit Bill



Joined: 31 Jan 2005
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Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

bmcsheehy wrote:
Bill, I agree about the steel rear sprocket. I haven't been able to find anyone that sells a larger steel sprocket for the blackbird. I did how ever buy a steel sprocket with 48 teeth, stock was 45, that I can machine to make it fit. But for now I wanted to experiment with the Aluminum ones. Once I find the combination I like, I'll probably machine a steel one.
Under Construction


For the time being of your experimentation, with different gear ratios, i suppose it is logical to use aluminum sprockets, since it'll adapt to and take most of the wear/"bedding in" vs the more expensive chain, when using mismatched wear sprocket/chain combos.
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Paul



Joined: 27 Jan 2005
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Location: Utah

PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 1:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Chain and sprockets Reply with quote

bmcsheehy wrote:
Is it O.K. to use more than one master link? :?:


I wouldn't even use one. They just aren't as strong as a riveted link. Your chain is just being held on by a tiny C-clip, and it's very hard to safety wire it. Plus, on a modern O-ring chain, that one link won't have the same sealed in grease as every other link - so you have one weak link, with inadequate lubrication. Not good.

You only change a chain once every year or two - I'd find the length of chain you need (i.e. figure out your gearing) and then rivet the chain on.

Why would you want two anyway??
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 2:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hey Paul,

I don't want two but if I was fooling around with gearing, I may have to lengthen the chain. I thought Master links maybe a good way to experiment with chain length, then when finished rivet it.

I did buy a Chain breaker/riveting tool. I do plan on riveting the chain on.
Buddies
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 3:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Out of the way.
What RPM is everybody turning at cruising speed?
Just putting down the highway 70 or 80 mph. Motorcycle Happy
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docmike



Joined: 27 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Is it O.K. to use more than one master link?



In my younger "chopper" riding days it wasn't uncommon to have more than one master link, once you installed one of those bolt on hardtails to stretch the frame about 6 inches. Of course those old Triumphs probably only made about 40 hp on a good day. That remind me of a time....
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 12:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

While looking for chain and sprocket combinations I came across a question. It seems that some people like to convert from a 530 chan to a 520 chain. What's the difference and why would you change? Question
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Bill
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Paul



Joined: 27 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 1:43 pm    Post subject: 520 vs 530 Reply with quote

530 chain is 3/8 inch wide. 520 chain is 2/8 = 1/4 inch wide.

The two are the same strength. But, the wider chain allows a wider, stronger sprocket, which will last longer.

On the other hand the narrower chain is lighter, which helps acceleration as well as handling (the chain is basically unsprung weight).
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bmcsheehy



Joined: 22 Jan 2005
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 27, 2005 7:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Got my new chain and sprocket on this weekend.

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High Performance Sidecaring... ...There is nothing "HACKED" about it.
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