47 tooth, with stock chain
Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:20 amIn my never ceasing quest for 2nd gear power wheelies, I have obtained and mounted a 47 tooth rear sprocket- replacing the stock 45 T, using the stock chain. My chain only had 1,600 miles on it, and I wanted to shorten the wheel base as much as possible, to lighten the front end.
As with mounting a single 42 Mikuni, this also became much more work than anticipated, but after you get 1/2 way into it, it's too late to stop. It looked like it would fit by moving the axle all the way forward. But, a chain with no stretch was like a banjo string. So the mods began.
1st off I saw the adjusting bolts and nuts for the axle were stopping the axle from going forward the 1/8" I needed. So off with the nuts. Then it was the rear caliper slot, so it was milled forward some. Then it was the swing arm itself, so it was milled forward some. Finally, it worked. However, my first test ride gave me the distinct feeling I had wasted a day. No perceivable difference, from either the 45 to 47, or the 1/2" less wheel base.[/attachment]brake mount.jpg
If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't.
As with mounting a single 42 Mikuni, this also became much more work than anticipated, but after you get 1/2 way into it, it's too late to stop. It looked like it would fit by moving the axle all the way forward. But, a chain with no stretch was like a banjo string. So the mods began.
1st off I saw the adjusting bolts and nuts for the axle were stopping the axle from going forward the 1/8" I needed. So off with the nuts. Then it was the rear caliper slot, so it was milled forward some. Then it was the swing arm itself, so it was milled forward some. Finally, it worked. However, my first test ride gave me the distinct feeling I had wasted a day. No perceivable difference, from either the 45 to 47, or the 1/2" less wheel base.[/attachment]brake mount.jpg
If I had it to do over again, I wouldn't.