The CarpiMoto link was only an example of a complete ready to go kit. You can build one of your own from UK suppliers. DID ZVM-X chain is available from plenty of places, ideally find one of the correct length or buy longer and shorten, here for example. The Esjot 42T sprocket is available from the likes of Ducati mondo. A cushioned 15T front sprocket from JT fits the bill. Hunt around for best prices.
Availability of the Esjot 42T rear sprocket might take some searching. They are out there though. AFAM also do a one piece 42T sprocket, rare as rocking horse poo though. Part number is 50900-42. This lack of availability as well as the ability to change easily and at more moderate cost in the future is what steered me towards the carrier solution that I fitted at the end of last year. The JT carrier and rear sprocket wasn't much more than the decent one piece sprockets anyway, in fact I got my carrier new off of ebay for £50 from someone who'd bought one but never fitted it. The one piece sprockets have to be machined, rather than made from plate of the final thickness. They need the depth to hold the Ducati cush drives. Hence why they're so expensive.
I bought set from carpi, works great but beware tax now importing from Europe adds to the price. also very little space between swinging arm and wheel when running a 42
I'm thinking of buying this kit from CarpiMoto (link above). I've never bought from them before, will it come from Europe and will I have to pay duties on top of the price ? Thanks
Customs duty is, if there is any at all, will likely be the lower component when compared to VAT, that will be charged at 20% on the total cost inc. shipping and also the carriers processing fee which is usually in the region of £10-£20. Finding the exact rate of duty is something of a nightmare but from what I've read for items of value over £135 and under £630 it's 2.5%. I'm sure there are exceptions on that, it's a crap shoot. I would hazard a guess at a total cost to you of £230 to £240. The kit is about £160 converted from € to £ though that is the VAT free price.
Thanks for the info. Had a little 250 mile 2 day ride, and although the gearing isn't a "big" problem (due to the DVT engine) I did start to notice it in traffic. Hopefully the lower gearing will help in those conditions. I'm just about to get my seat re-covered after 3 attempts at getting the foam shape right. When that's all done and paid for I'll order up the chain set
It's a big V-twin, slow speed riding is always going to be a bit 'grumbly'. However, for me, the gearing change does improve matters in this regard as you're just that little further up the rev range. In real world terms it doesn't really effect me on top speed as I rarely, if ever, get up into that area. Not sure if it's psychological but disconnecting the exhaust flapper valve makes town riding less 'fluffy' too. Reccomended if you haven't done that yet.
Quick update. Finally got around to fitting the kit (new sprockets and DID gold chain) that I've had for over 6 months. Although I'm handy with the spanners, I've never fitted a chain and sprocket to a bike, and never touched a single sided swing arm. So it was all new to me, and following guidance here, and various YouTube vids, especially how to use the DID chain tool I got it done in... well lets say a little over half a day (lots of stops for a brew ) Was it worth it you ask ? Bloody hell yes ! (even with binning my 6.5K mile original chain and sprockets) Coming from a background of a ST2 and an Air cooled multi, the DVT engine was already a big step up in smoothness. But this combo makes town and slow riding so much better. I gave her a 200 mile ride yesterday and all the places Id be "between gears" and up and down the box I was able to hold the gear without changing. I've got a tight twisty narrow country road on a steep hill right next me at home, one of those roads where 1st gears too hi, so you pop it into 2nd and then you end up slippin' the cluch and going back down to 1st. Well I started up in 2nd and she just went up smooth as butter Motorways, yes at 80 mph you sense your pulling a few hundred more revs, you get into 6th a bit earlier. But the overtaking in 6th is instant too. The original set up wasn't terrible, but this just makes riding the bike a much more an enjoyable experience as far as I'm concerned for my style of riding.
