Ducati Monster Forum

Hi guys.

I noticed this morning before commuting my chain was really loose. Looser than I ever remember it being.
I recently gave a few rides to some "not so light" in weight friends of mine. I noticed my bike struggles with
anyone weighing more than 130ish lbs on the back.

I brought the bike in to my mechanic and after tightening the chain, he mentioned the chain was tightening in only some
areas, while remaining loose in other areas. He said I needed a new chain/ front and rear sprocket setup. Mentioned
the sprocket teeth seemed too worn or spaced. I'm assuming the chain was stretched due to the excessive load or strain
on the engine.

I looked in this section for replacement parts described above and got some insight on what to get. But I was wondering
if someone can tell me exactly what they recommend as the best option for my ride with cost effectiveness in mind.

Thank you guys.
Monster S2R Dark 800

Mechanic mentioned: DID or RK chain (how many links? and what setup? 520,530...difference?)
Sprocket: JT or SUN STAR

Thank you much.
J

520/525/530 refers to the width of the chain. 520 being more narrow thus lighter than a 530. This decreases rotating mass that the engine is having to spin.

The two most common combos you'll see 14/41
Or 15/43.

If you still have a 15 tooth, just add a 43 to the rear in the same chain size. Both combos will need a longer chain. Usually 2-3 more links.

Chain and sprockets will wear out faster if constantly flogged (on and off the throttle and/or lots of full throttle), but under any circumstance it's only a question of time.

Stock on your bike (confirmed by Ducati.com) is 520 chain and 15/41.
For that set up, it's 104 links.
It's important to get the correct number of links because the eccentric hub (with axle in it) must be in ~same position to keep the ride height ~equal and to keep the chain adjusting function as intended.

Do you want changes?
Why?

If not go for the stock set up [thumbsup]

I tend to get the best life out of DID chains on my bikes.  You will prob find the most selection in a 525 or a 520 chain, 525 should be the factory size.  I would suggest putting a quick change rear sprocket carrier on the bike if you plan on keeping it, as it will make future rear sprocket changes much cheaper & easier.  AFAM & Super Sprox are both good choices,
I would recommend staying away from all aluminum sprockets for the street.

Thank you guys for all your help.  [beer]

Side question. From a Monster 800, what do you think would be a nice upgrade as a replacement bike.
I've been hearing good things about the street fighter, but was also considering the 1100 EVO.
Any thoughts?

Always appreciated.
J

Depends on what you want in a bike

stock size was 520 FYI

if you do go with the JT quick-change rear sprocket, i would recommend the AFAM steel sprocket instead of the JT alum one
the aluminum ones wear out really fast

Hey nickshelby500kr,

Thanks for the reply.

A lot of power and agile handling. More power than the S2R dark 800, Capable of 150+

Well I'll tell you from first hand experience the 1100 evo isn't going to get you to 150. You'll hit 130 (speedo reading) and that's TOPPED out.

Streetfighter 1098 is a lot of motorcycle. 2nd and 3rd gear power wheelies (no clutch) and will easily take you 150 however you will have zero wind protection which will be your limiting factor.

If you really want to stick with a monster s4rs is fan favorite. Or be patient a few months in anticipation for an 1198 monster. I fear it will be absolutely uncontrollable though, the S4rs is already a pretty damn wild.

Guys.

after reading all the responses (and thank you to all), I've decided to go with a
520 DID/ 15/41 setup.
I have in the cart the chain, JT quick change sprocket carrier, and the JT 15T front sprocket in steel.

I am having a difficult time finding a quick change for carrier rear sprocket in steel. anyone that can assist with some links would be great. I'd
like to get all the parts today if possible.

checked Motorcycle superstore, and other webistes. no go. only aluminum is what I can find.

Any help would be awesome.

Thanks again.
J

Goto monsterparts.com

Dump the quick change and just get a Afam front, and Afam steel rear for oem carriers.

Sprocket center is a good website as well. If just the carrier is aluminium it should not matter as long as you get a steel sprocket to go with it.  Afam makes steel sprockets that work with quick change carriers.

+1

Quick change seems like a waste of money to me considering you'll only be changing it when they wear out...so not that often.

And dump the 15t .........go 14t its a game changer on the Duc

Yea an Afam steel sprocket for oem carrier is like $60.

Quick change with sprocket is like $350+

Quick changes are for race bikes that are changing gearing every track.

 has a AFAM carrier for $170 and a steel sprocket for $59.

MonsterParts has Drive Systems OEM-style for $169 or SuperSprox for $160.
If you don't anticipate *ever* having to change the sprocket again while you own the bike, it's a cheaper way to go.

If you're likely to put more than ~12k miles on the bike while you own it, then the QC is the way to go.

I had a 14-39   Moved to a 520 Quick change setup with 15-43.  The bike is happier and I did not need to shift quite as much up in the hills than just running a 14-39.  VERY happy with the setup as sit is just ever so slightly taller than the 14t upgrade.

Ok guys.
Just recived all my parts.
DID chain
Afam carrier
front and rear sprockets. Thank you all for the suggestions  [thumbsup]

Was thinking of doing this job myself.

Can anyone tell me what the tool list would be? (i.e. chain adjusting tool, pin tool for chain, size of socket for rear nut
and anyting else I'm missing please)

and
is Ca-Cycleworks the only place to find instructional DIY videos? form Ducati-Tech

As I posted earlier in the year, I would really like to work on the bike myself as the parts added up
pretty quickly.

Please let me know.

Much appreciated.
John

Good choices. Including the DIY.
It's an easy job. The only part to watch out for is removing links and even more importantly, when mushrooming the pin on the master link. It's fairly easy to bugger up the tool when removing links and it's also very easy to over pein (peen? mushroom?) the master link rivet, resulting in that link being too tight and ruining the o rings.
Just take your time on the last part of chain assembly.

Thanks Memper.

I will keep you posted on the progress.
Appreciate the support.

J

I had a supersprox one piece (steel teeth with aluminum hub) that's 159 from MonsterParts, but just ordered a JT Aluminum carrier (89) and a Drive Systems (AFAM) steel sprocket (50). So that works out cheapet than another supersprox, plus the next time I change it will only cost me 50.

Guys.

I need to find a DIY video showing how to remove old rear sprocket and install AFAM quick change carrier and rear sprocket.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I checked many sources, but cant really find anything giving me enough confidence to attack
this project on my own. I did see one on CA cycle works, but not a full video.

Any advice would help.

Thank you memeber.
J

You shouldn't really need a video. It's pretty simple. First, loosen the 2 pinch bolts for the swingarm then loosen the chain all the way. Next loosen the 5 bolts on the hub with a 15mm socket, you'll need to immobilize the back of the bolts with a large flathead screwdriver while you do this. Once that's done you can remove the clip and the center nut. Next is the fun part, removing the hub from the sprocket. I don't know a sure fire way to do it, so good luck with that, I beat the back side of the hub on an empty spray can til it came out.
With the quick change, bolt the sprocket and quick change together, then place the hub in the new carrier and bolt that back on with the center nut. once that's snugged down you can tighten the bolts on the hub the same way you loosened them, adjust the chain, tighten the pinch bolts and you're set.

Thank you NAKID.

I will follow your advice.

just wish there was a more guided way for the novice.

Ill keep you posted and put up some photos.

Just like everything, trial and error. First time it took me probably 2.5 hours. This time, under 1...

Any advice on getting a used spare rear sprocket flange?
or
how to press out the bearings from the existing one?
Need to get them out to insert into new Afam carrier.

Thanks.
J

Cheap way: 2 small 2x4s, set the old carrier on the two pieces of wood so that the bearing has nothing under it.

Find a socket of appropriate size and drift the bearing out using a hammer. Light taps will do the trick.

Reinstall in reverse.

Ok.

Thank you.
How about the outer 5 small bearings? those need to get swapped as well. same technique i'm assuming?

Appreciate the help.

One more thing, what is the torque spec on tightening back up the center wheel nut?

Thanks
J

176nm.

Thanks Nick
J