Anybody know if you can run 14/44 gearing with the a stock 103 link chain? Maybe a better way to put it is how high can you go with the rear sprocket with a 14 countershaft and stock chain. Gearing commander says this changes the sprocket center-to-center distance by about 9mm. That times two is more than a link but I figure there should enough adjustment there to cover it. Anybody been there-done that? Thanks in advance!
Quote from: =P on March 20, 2009, 04:23:02 AM
Anybody know if you can run 14/44 gearing with the a stock 103 link chain?
How much adjustment room do you have available. Going up four total teeth on your sprockets requires two links in the chain to leave the rear axle in the same position. Without changing the chain, each tooth you add moves the rear axle forward one fourth of a link distance or 5/32 of an inch.
It's easy enough to determine what you can do to the gearing if you know this.
And how in the world did you get a chain with an odd number of links? ??? [roll]
103 was what gearing commander said was the number of links on the stock chain. I did not personally count them. A chain can have as many links as you care to put on it. ??? [roll] Anyhow, I want to go up three in the back and down one in the front. My question is, has anyone done this with the stock chain, and did it fit?
If you look closely at a motorcycle chain, all links come in pairs with an inner link and an outer link. Although it is possible to get a "half link", those are very rare, so all normal chains have to have an even number of links in them.
You want to change to the total number of teeth to increase by 2. If you have the adjustment range to move the axle forward 5/16 of an inch (slightly more than 1/4 inch), then you can make the change without changing the chain. With that gearing you would have to go forward 5/16, or add two links and go back 5/16. Either way you have to move the axle.
Although I don't know how much adjustment is available on the single sided swingarms, I can almost guarantee that you can move it forward enough to make the sprocket change.
In short, look at your hub eccentric, and if you are in the rearward half of your adjustment hemisphere, you have enough loosening adjustment in all likely-hood to do the thing. If you are in your rearward half of the adjustment hemisphere, you don't have a chance in hell... If you don't know what your hub eccentric is, take it to a bike shop and let them handle it. (Not trying to be rude here, I promise, but seriously gotta know how to adjust your chain on a SSS bike if you are even thinking of this.
I've got a 15/43 on mine now, so 14/44 should be no problem. Mine is also the stock chain...
I have adjusted my chain before, but I did not want to spend the time loosening it up and measuring the remaining travel if it was an absolute no-go. I will check the eccentric as you said. Sounds like it should be no problem based on Nakid's gearing. Thanks to everyone for the information. Sorry ScottRNelson. I was not picking up what you were laying down.