Hi all! On the new to me 2017 MTS Pikes Peak the only thing letting it down is the rear sprocket and chain! I have been in contact with the parts folks at Moto Rapido and they were organising some stuff but it’s 6 weeks delivery. I’m actually not 100% I want to wait that long! I have found online at conquest racing an AEM sprocket and carrier, then online the RK Racing chain I fancied. Can someone confirm that everything below I have selected is a. compatible together and b. Right for the bike, standard gearing etc! Many thanks! My mind is mashed now with so many options!
Looks OK though there are a few issues I can see: The chain is too long so you'll need to cut it to reduce the length, std is 114 links (that's for the 1260, 1200 is shorter at 108 links) and as you are going for the OEM spec 40T rear sprocket that's the length you'll need (even with a 14T front sprocket, see point below). You will need a 15T std, or a 14T front sprocket, unless your bike has very few miles on it. The 14T is what I run on my 1260s and it improves the slow riding characteristics of the bike significantly at the expense of slightly higher revs, though by no means unbearable, at motorway/autoroute speeds (5,000 rpm at 80mph indicated approx). The alternative to this is a 42T rear sprocket, but not easy to find for carriers, combined with a std 15T front sprocket. The carrier and matching AEM sprocket look like they will dispense with the quick change advantage of a carrier system unless you also buy their flange hub kit. The OEM flange that comes with your bike will have a small part of the AEM sprocket trapped behind it necessitating it's removal in future when swapping the sprocket... Here's a photo of my JT carrier set-up. this works with the OEM flange in so much as you can remove the sprocket without having to undo the large flange nut as well as the cush drive nuts. Where the sprocket nuts are it looks like the flange would interfere with the sprocket you are suggesting. That's unless you buy their carrier. The JT carrier also works with Renthal sprockets as well as JT's own. These can be removed over the shape of the still attached OEM flange. It seems like AEM have cocked up on this, either that or it's an intentional ploy to get you buy their flange too...
Many thanks for your reply! So if I buy the flange, pictured below, it should all work together. I’m not too worried about the quick change system. I’m afraid it’s purely a better look I’m after. yes I did assume I would change the front sprocket also. It’s done 6k miles, so I will change it for the sake of £30 or so.
If you're not worried about the quick change side of things then the OEM flange should still work, though as you also state that it's the looks that matter and if the matching AEM flange floats your boat then by all means, it's your money to spend. Added to which you'd then have the ability to change the sprocket swiftly in the future as the sprocket won't be trapped behind the flange. From their website it looks like the parts, selected correctly will fit your bike. Being a 2017 it's a 1200 (hence why I mentioned the shorter length chain in my earlier post). Shame that they don't offer a 42 sprocket as that's a common mod and slightly less of a deviation from std gearing than a 14T front sprocket. Had issues finding a 42T for the JT carrier too though, so went down the 14T/40T route. You will be locked into buying AEM rear sprockets in the future given the apparent proprietary fit to the carrier. Yep, if it were sub 1,000 miles I'd probably risk using the original but at that mileage, and for the relatively low cost, the reassurance that you won't be 'transferring wear' it's a no brainer.
Just bought the AEM set up for my race 848 Evo from the very helpful Steve @ Conquest. AEM stuff is quite exquisite.
Yes, agreed! Conquest supplied my AEM kit also. The chain came from Moto Rapido. It really is cracking stuff. Just finished the back end off, well pleased
