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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> My Chain Conversion - first impression !
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Message started by strangeling on 11/07/07 at 13:47:53

Title: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by strangeling on 11/07/07 at 13:47:53

Ok so after thinking about doing the chain conversion for about 6 months I finally went ahead and did it.

My first impression - "Luv it"

I went with the 17/45 set-up and I have a Hard Krome muffler POD filter and 150 main jet.

I live in SLC and most of my riding is either freeway or flat straight city roads and I rarely get stuck in long traffic delays. So based on my style riding I find the 17/45 absolutely perfect. The bike still pulls strong from all gears and honestly it is just as fun around the city streets as it always has been. The freeway is fantastic sitting on 70-75 (I'm guessing due to the speedo error) as the bike feels like its just cruising now rather than pushing itself.

I haven't got to test it out in the winding canyons yet so I can't report on that but for my everyday riding I am so glad I finally made the conversion.

So if you were like me and have been thinking about doing the conversion then I say just do it, you won't regret it !

Glenn

PS I have a 16 tooth front sprocket I won't be needing if anyone is interested $10 including shipping within USA.

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first thoughts !
Post by LANCER on 11/07/07 at 14:20:25

Sounds like you are having fun with the chain upgrade.

I WILL TAKE YOU UP ON THE SPROCKET. Send me a PM with the email address you want for a paypal or if you prefer a MO then I'll need your mailing address.

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first thoughts !
Post by govmule84 on 11/07/07 at 15:14:23

I like my chainy-chain convert too...

Can I ask you all a question? Is it just me, or should the speedo not read any differently at all? It reads off the transmission, not the wheel...shouldn't it still be accurate?

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first thoughts !
Post by barry68v10 on 11/07/07 at 15:26:04

No, not accurate for actual speed, but yes, accurate for speed of the output shaft of the transmission.

What does this mean? At the same speedo reading in a given gear, the engine WILL be turning at the same RPM. Actual speed will be different by the percent change of the gear ratio.

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first thoughts !
Post by vtail on 11/07/07 at 15:29:54

Yes and No
You now turning lower engine rpm for the same speed= lower indicated speed. I just mounted a Sigma on the bike. It takes its reading from the front wheel (circonferance). http://w3.bikepics.com/pics/2007/11/03/bikepics-1076610-800.jpg
Also gives me average,max speed etc. ;D

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first thoughts !
Post by strangeling on 11/07/07 at 16:14:11

Hey Vtail how do you like that Sigma ?
I was thinking of getting one as well.
Where did you mount the magnets on your wheel ?
I don't have a front fender and wasn't sure where I would be able to mount it !

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first thoughts !
Post by strangeling on 11/07/07 at 16:15:25

So how do I work out my speed with the 17/45 ?

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by vtail on 11/07/07 at 16:49:08

http://w3.bikepics.com/pics/2007/11/07/bikepics-1080772-full.jpg
Right there with L shaped aluminum bracket. Notice tiny eartmagnet (2 stacked) from Radio shack. These are so powerful that they've stayed on the last 3500 miles without glue. Love the sigma which is just velcro'd to upper tripple-clamp. :) Also check Trip meter ideas in the tech section, page 2 ;)

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by vtail on 11/07/07 at 17:11:44

Stock ratio = 2.94. Your ratio 45:17=2.65.
2.94/2.65= 1.11. So 60 mph indicated is now 60x1.11=67 mph. So watch out. your speedo now indicates too low. For simplicity; 40=44, 55=55, 60=66, 70=77, 80=88 etc etc. Just get a Sigma for super-accurate speed readings :)

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by strangeling on 11/07/07 at 17:41:18

Hey thanks Vtail that helps me out a lot.

Just picked up a Sigma 506 on Ebay for $12.

Now next thing to remove the speedo on the tank and fill in the gap or maybe mount a tach in its place ???

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by Savage_Greg on 11/08/07 at 05:09:23

Not sure the difference in my reading and the calculation, but I suppose that a couple of different size tires on 2 different bikes might produce a variation...

I asked the spouse to lead us and keep her speedo on the speed limit. With the 45/17, my speed indicated ~35 when she was doing 40 MPH.

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by hutch on 11/08/07 at 05:51:05

strangeling wrote:

Glad to see we have another happy convert. Hutch

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by gary_ona_savage on 11/08/07 at 11:12:35

Hutch should get some kind of "royalty" for every conversion!

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by hutch on 11/09/07 at 05:41:23

gary_ona_savage wrote:

Hutch should get some kind of "royalty" for every conversion!

My royalty is taken care of everytime I see another person convert to chain, and post a positive feedback. Hutch

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by strangeling on 11/09/07 at 17:36:36

Well I have had a few days riding now and man this is freakin awesome, by far the best mod that you could do on this bike. I loved this bike before but now I can't even tell you how much joy I get out of riding it.

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by Odar on 11/10/07 at 01:15:16

Hi Glenn
Glad that you finally did it, hear that you like it alot, isnt it nice also not to hear that sound from the belt every time you change gears besides all the other benefits.
Odar

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by strangeling on 11/10/07 at 18:05:02

Odar,

Its awesome man, you were right because I love it and definately don't regret it !

Have you done any more mods on your bike ?

Glenn

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by Odar on 11/11/07 at 02:56:05

Glenn
No, not since I lowered rear and front, that mod improved the handling a lot, go for that as well thats my sugestion. Its a bit hard at the back with the new springs installed but go for the front lowering if you want better performans on twistie roads.
Odar

Title: Re: My Chain Conversion - first impression !
Post by Savage_Greg on 11/11/07 at 06:30:05

Yeah...and chains don't squeak in the rain either :P