[Jim G]

Matt7635: Your mechanic is probably well intentioned but does not stay current. I have run aluminum sprockets on may last 4 or 5 motorcycles, including a ZX-14, and in doing an average of 3000 km per year, I never even saw ANY appreciable wear. If you buy the RIGHT alloy aprockets, they are fine unless you commute to work daily and/or don't take care of cleaning and lubing your chain.

And he probably does not realize that the regearing issue on the 400 only arises when you change the gearing by about 7% or more. Relatively fewer owners do that, so he just hasn't seen one yet.

Jim G

 

[Matt7635]

Matt7635: Your mechanic is probably well intentioned but does not stay current. I have run aluminum sprockets on may last 4 or 5 motorcycles, including a ZX-14, and in doing an average of 3000 km per year, I never even saw ANY appreciable wear. If you buy the RIGHT alloy aprockets, they are fine unless you commute to work daily and/or don't take care of cleaning and lubing your chain.

And he probably does not realize that the regearing issue on the 400 only arises when you change the gearing by about 7% or more. Relatively fewer owners do that, so he just hasn't seen one yet.

Jim G

I see. Well if I still have the bike on my next chain swap, I'll throw in the aluminums

I did mention that as well, and he said his 400 track buddies usually go +4 in the rear. We both don't know the whole story, and it doesn't bother me haha.

 

[Jim G]

I see. Well if I still have the bike on my next chain swap, I'll throw in the aluminums

I did mention that as well, and he said his 400 track buddies usually go +4 in the rear. We both don't know the whole story, and it doesn't bother me haha.

Racers defeat a lot of the built-in limits on a motorcycle via either a reflash or simply pulling parts off, so don't translate racer commentary on what works and does not work to the street.

Keep the steel sprocket up front. Just change the rear sprocket. The front sprocket wears a lot faster than the rear (fewer teeth to handle the same loading), AND has both low weight and negligible moment of inertia compared to the rear. The REAR sprocket is the one worth changing, especially since the front sprocket is such a bear to get off sometimes. There is no issue running a steel sprocket up front and an alloy one on the rear.

Jim G

 

[Matt7635]

Racers defeat a lot of the built-in limits on a motorcycle via either a reflash or simply pulling parts off, so don't translate racer commentary on what works and does not work to the street.

Keep the steel sprocket up front. Just change the rear sprocket. The front sprocket wears a lot faster than the rear (fewer teeth to handle the same loading), AND has both low weight and negligible moment of inertia compared to the rear. The REAR sprocket is the one worth changing, especially since the front sprocket is such a bear to get off sometimes. There is no issue running a steel sprocket up front and an alloy one on the rear.

Jim G

Figured on the track rats but didn't want to assume.
Hm have you noticed a significant difference feel switching? Or were they part of additional mods so the verdict is kind of skewed?

 

[Duckman]

As far as I know an aluminum front sprocket does not exist. That would be dumb.

 

[Matt7635]

As far as I know an aluminum front sprocket does not exist. That would be dumb.

The carbon fiber sprockets look pretty nice, but pricey. Obviously kidding, but I actually have no idea if that would be a terrible idea. Or did I just have a breakthrough.

 

[Jim G]

Figured on the track rats but didn't want to assume.
Hm have you noticed a significant difference feel switching? Or were they part of additional mods so the verdict is kind of skewed?

Yes, my fuel mileage dropped by 2.5%, and my engine coolant temperature reads lower than before the O2 Sensor Eliminator.

Jim G

 

[Duckman]

I think that would qualify as a bad idea. But the cool factor would be there.

 

[Jim G]

As far as I know an aluminum front sprocket does not exist. That would be dumb.

Don't discount what motocrossers might do to save a few ounces! Seriously, I don't know if front alloy sprockets exist, but figured I did not want to see Matt7635 go looking for one.

Jim G

 

[Jim G]

I think that would qualify as a bad idea. But the cool factor would be there.

Yes. You know that Carbon Fiber front fenders exist that weigh almost as much as the plastic ones they replace? So, yeah, some people do it for the cool factor.

Jim G

 

[Matt7635]

Yes, my fuel mileage dropped by 2.5%, and my engine coolant temperature reads lower than before the O2 Sensor Eliminator.

Jim G

Interesting. Lighterweight, less work to pull the lighter sprocket so engine works more efficiently? But it requires more work to keep the momentum of the wheel going with the lighter weight, hence the lower mpg? Kind of conflicts with each other. But I'm no engineer so this is all just poppycock to me.

I think that would qualify as a bad idea. But the cool factor would be there.

Carbon fiber everything right? I used to think carbon fiber was the coolest thing. Think they look good as GT wings or some accent

 

[Duckman]

Interesting. Lighterweight, less work to pull the lighter sprocket so engine works more efficiently? But it requires more work to keep the momentum of the wheel going with the lighter weight, hence the lower mpg? Kind of conflicts with each other. But I'm no engineer so this is all just poppycock to me.


Carbon fiber everything right? I used to think carbon fiber was the coolest thing. Think they look good as GT wings or some accent

The absolute, hands down, coolest thing ever made with carbon fiber is wheels. Not just for looks but when you first pull them out of the box and it feels like tissue paper, and you think “seriously, I’m trusting my ass to this!”

But sprockets. No. That would be about as dumb as an aluminum front sprocket.

 

[Matt7635]

The absolute, hands down, coolest thing ever made with carbon fiber is wheels. Not just for looks but when you first pull them out of the box and it feels like tissue paper, and you think “seriously, I’m trusting my ass to this!”

But sprockets. No. That would be about as dumb as an aluminum front sprocket.

View attachment 20354

I always wonder how strong it actually is. I've had a carbon fiber intake on my first miata and that felt like plastic that I could break with a flick of my finger. There's probably a video out there showing it's strength. If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to pimp out the 400. fancy wheels, upgrade stock suspension, 60 HP, carbon fiber chain, the works.

 

[Duckman]

CF chain. Lol! 😂

 

[Jim G]

Interesting. Lighterweight, less work to pull the lighter sprocket so engine works more efficiently? But it requires more work to keep the momentum of the wheel going with the lighter weight, hence the lower mpg? Kind of conflicts with each other. But I'm no engineer so this is all just poppycock to me.


Carbon fiber everything right? I used to think carbon fiber was the coolest thing. Think they look good as GT wings or some accent

No, Matt7635. I accidentally mixed results of 2 different threads. Sorry! My 2.5% worse fuel mileage and lower coolant temperature were a result of installing an O2 Eliminator ( the other thread). Sorry. Larger rear sprocket and/or smaller front sprocket WILL also decrease fuel mileage somewhat, but not appreciably. Throttle response and acceleration will improve notably though if the right ratios are selected.

No, it does NOT require more work to keep the wheel turning with the lighter sprocket. The wheel WILL have slightly less moment of inertia but the effects of that are improved handling, agility, and a tiny bit better acceleration.

Jim G

 

[Matt7635]

No, Matt7635. I accidentally mixed results of 2 different threads. Sorry! My 2.5% worse fuel mileage and lower coolant temperature were a result of installing an O2 Eliminator ( the other thread). Sorry. Larger rear sprocket and/or smaller front sprocket WILL also decrease fuel mileage somewhat, but not appreciably. Throttle response and acceleration will improve notably though if the right ratios are selected.

No, it does NOT require more work to keep the wheel turning with the lighter sprocket. The wheel WILL have slightly less moment of inertia but the effects of that are improved handling, agility, and a tiny bit better acceleration.

Jim G

Two questions
1) why type out the whole matt7635 haha?
2) how does the lighter sprocket affect handling. I'm a major cheapass and only really change parts when the one in use is worn or broke. So aluminum rear, or front 😅, won't be going on anytime soon. Is it just the slightly less weight to flick around?

 

[Jim G]

Two questions
1) why type out the whole matt7635 haha?
2) how does the lighter sprocket affect handling. I'm a major cheapass and only really change parts when the one in use is worn or broke. So aluminum rear, or front 😅, won't be going on anytime soon. Is it just the slightly less weight to flick around?

1. Some people don't like to have their names abbreviated

2. A lighter rear sprocket:

• improves handling a tiny bit (But not as much as a lighter tire, since the tire has way more RADIUS for a bigger efefct on moment of inertia)
• improves acceleration a tiny bit (But not as much as a lighter tire, since the tire has way more RADIUS for a bigger effect on moment of inertia)
• contributes as PART of an overall weight reduction program on a bike. Do a few things like this and you eventually take off 20 lb, which is 20/365 = 5.5% of the entire weight of the bike. (Do you know how much a TRUE 5.5% power increase costs?)

Jim G

 

[Matt7635]

1. Some people don't like to have their names abbreviated

2. A lighter rear sprocket:

• improves handling a tiny bit (But not as much as a lighter tire, since the tire has way more RADIUS for a bigger efefct on moment of inertia)
• improves acceleration a tiny bit (But not as much as a lighter tire, since the tire has way more RADIUS for a bigger effect on moment of inertia)
• contributes as PART of an overall weight reduction program on a bike. Do a few things like this and you eventually take off 20 lb, which is 20/365 = 5.5% of the entire weight of the bike. (Do you know how much a TRUE 5.5% power increase costs?)

Jim G

I see, appreciate the consideration. I prefer 7635, no Matt.

I've always been curious on how a tuned bike, a super weight reduced bike, and the difference super light wheels feel. Don't think I'll ever get the chance. But if the opportunity presents itself, I'm going for it.

 

[JFMNINJA400]

I have changed ALL the rear sprockets to aluminum on all my bikes since maybe 2007. On my Gixxer 750s. When they would look worn, simple change. When I started track riding in 2008, I had 2 sets of rims, one for the street, the other for the track. I like aluminum for the LOOK, always got a rear sprocket with some color to match the bike. I lube the chain on all my bikes at least once a month and clean the rear sprocket ⚙. On the “little” bikes, the rear aluminum sprocket will last a very long time!!!!

 

[Matt7635]

I have changed ALL the rear sprockets to aluminum on all my bikes since maybe 2007. On my Gixxer 750s. When they would look worn, simple change. When I started track riding in 2008, I had 2 sets of rims, one for the street, the other for the track. I like aluminum for the LOOK, always got a rear sprocket with some color to match the bike. I lube the chain on all my bikes at least once a month and clean the rear sprocket ⚙. On the “little” bikes, the rear aluminum sprocket will last a very long time!!!!

I see. Def going alum next round. When looking at my stock sprockets, they looked pretty nice still. I also don't really have anything to compare them with, but the tech/mech said the front looks barely used at all. We actually reused the front because the one he ordered was stick in a storm in texas or something. Gave me a good discount so I was okay with that. I still have my 13 tooth front I can throw on IF it causes any issues. The -1 / +3 will make me unstoppable, and I'll start racing zx6rs for pinks.