RE: [ST] Sprockets and Chain Maintenance

[Brad Turner <bturner@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

John,

Here's the quick math

43/19=2.26
43/17=2.53

2.53-2.26=.27

The way I figure it is a little under a 10% change (.27 delta from the 2.26
ratio baseline) so do you want that much change? It seems like a pretty
healthy bump to me. You also need to consider what it will do to your
cruising speed RPM (your RPMs will raise by the same %). To put it into
perspective you'd need to go up 5 teeth on the rear to a 48/19 to achieve
the same ratio change by altering the rear sprocket. This is not exactly a
subtle change. I've never played with the ST's gearing but I have done it
with other bikes but never this much.

For chain cleaning take a look at what the motocross guys use. There are
some nice 3 sided brushes out there that do a pretty good job. I'd be leary
of what the citrus solvent might do to the O-rings. Modern sealed O-ring
chains don't really need all that much attention if you're just doing
typical street riding. Since the pivot points of the chain are interally
lubed and sealed with the O-rings the only real purpose for lubricating the
chain is to protect it from rusting. For this I have been very happy with
the aerosol chain wax products. They do the protective thing and dry to a
hard coat which means they don't attract dust and dirt the way traditional
lubes do. This directly translates to less necessary cleaning.

later,
- -brad-

- -----Original Message-----
From: colt4530@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: RS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: 10/18/2002 6:32 AM
Subject: [ST] Sprockets and Chain Maintenance

The Shop Manual says my '02 RS has a 19/43 sprocket set.  Sometimes 1st
gear is too fast and I'd also like to get some more acceleration out of
it,
too.  I don't want it to be too much of a wheelie monster, but if it
lifted
the front wheel 6 inches (15 cm) under max. acceleration, that would be
grand.  Will changing the front sprocket to 17 teeth do that?

What is the best way to clean the chain before relubing it?  I clean my
bicycle chains with a citrus solvent soaked rag and relube when it's
dry. 
I have no idea what that solvent, or others, might do the the x-ring
seals.
I must have done something similar to my Interceptor, but it's been gone
so
long I can't remember.

John

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