I've been following that thread with interest and was going to ask if it was open to all? That was until I checked my calendar! I'm working on a plan to make that weekend available and if successful I'll definitely give you a shout - if okay to tag along? It relies on being able to change holiday dates, but nothing is booked yet (that I know of anyway??)
i'm still open to the idea of changing down to a 14 tooth on the front. thing is, i haven't really done enough miles on her yet to be certain that the change would be for the best. and whiile we're at it, i'll be riding her down to seville sometime over the summer with a few days down at the beach near marbella. if anyone's up for it, they'd be more than welcome to join in. i have places in both areas. br, ian
Another +1 for -1 front. Makes things so much easier around town and at touring speeds, never mind a bit more oopmh (or it seems like)
If your chain length allows it. Id save money and excessive chain wear by just going +3 on the rear. Going down on the front increases chain wear. Increases chances of excessive chain rub on swingarm and can expose the chain to much higher effective torque and in some cases could snap the chain.
Going back to the original question i ask, why change the gearing at all? just use the lever under your left toe and just go down one or two gears, that is the whole point of the gearbox. if you do change one of the sprockets be it front or rear you are then stuck with it, far better to leave that well alone then when you do want to travel at 80-90 the motor is not reving its nads off. First gear is almost useless anyway as in my opinion its too low, i do agree however that trying to ride at less than 4k is very snatchy, this is worse if you have lightened the flywheel weight. all my Ducatis feel happy at 5,000 rpm plus and give better roll on and better gas mileage, its got to be better for the chain also.
Isnt a 748 14t front as standard, yet with the same set up as 916 with a 15? In fact with a larger rear one too making the angle even steeper? Same with a 749/999
No idea about the respective sizes. But do some research. In a nutshell - no, rear is easier on chain
The great Shazaam! was a proponent of swapping out the rear sprocket, rather than the front. Chain wear was a factor in his explanations. I'd go with changing the rear - over time it's possible it will be cheaper.
Hmmm... a smaller front sprocket increases the risk of snapping the chain.. thats a new one to me... anyone here already running with a smaller front? How does it affect top end?... would it really be on the limiter in 6th at 90mph??
Internet myth if its good enough for Ducati to fit it, and for most riders to fit it, and dealers to recommend it...says enough for me Best long term solution is a rear quick changer, leave front 15 and buy some cheap rear sprockets so you van mess with different ones, if that floats your boat, without stupid Ducati sprocket costs
That was my assumption too but having a totally standard setup at the mo I can on go by what others say.... Tbh I just want a bit more fun out the corners & had read that -1 front sprocket was the way to go..
I vaguely recall a similar thread on the Ducatisti site. Phil ( Ghost) who definitely knows what his talking about posted that going from 15t to 14t will increase the loading on the chain by 9% due to the tighter radius. What about the poor big ends eh, lots of mention of drive chain loading being smoothed by changing ratios, but to me if you have any mechanical empathy the main reason you don't want to 'labour' an engine is because there is a higher loading being imposed on the big ends. Far better to have the engine spinning over faster and lessening the loading on the big ends.
Myth or fact you still have to take it with a pinch of salt. Let's say the chain wears 9% more, well I can live with that, I don't think I've owned a bike the same amount of mileage a chain is spec'd to. I've changed chains before but mainly based on the fact ducati ones are shit and they rust like fook. I've ran smaller sprockets on loads of different makes of bikes, aprilias, Ducatis, yamahas, Hondas, ktm, you name it. At no point did I think or experience anything bad (other than a rattle with an un dampened version I mistakenly fitted to the RC8) My point is it's really not worth worrying about, if you're unsure just bung on a front sprocket, down 1 tooth on the front is broadly similar to going up 2-3 teeth on the back. A front sprocket will cost you £15-£25 depending. A rear spocket worth buying will start at £70 odd, more depending what functionality you want. Honestly, to try it out chuck £20 at it, run it and see. Then if you like the new gearing and you're still concerned go new chain and sprocket set later.
FFS Ducati fitted as STANDARD a 14 tooth sprocket to the 748. Figure that out doom sayers. Perhaps the 14T sprocket is the cause of sidestands always breaking or rockers going awol! I am even running a 14T on my 748 thing
