Can someone tell me please that I am not dreaming. 'Somewhere' I think I have read of a 14 front sprocket using rubber (i dont know how)to provide a sort of cush drive with a fair reduction in front chain and sprocket noise. if its not a dream can those who know (please Rook) tell us who makes it and is it worth it when changing the chain?

Zephyr sprocket or something like that! That's if you're changing the gearing. If not OEM is plenty quiet!

17t OEM has a rubber bushing and if you want a 16t with a rubber bushing use a 1995 Zephyr front sprocket. I believe the part number is 13144-1317.

You can see it on step 5 here. If you change the chain might want to read the whole thread.

http://www.zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=EB2E6BDC-D56B-84E2-1D17B62DAE7BB066

I don't know how it works but there is some kind of hard rubber pad on the sides. It is quieter than an aftermarket without the dampers.

If you are changing the chain it is best to change both front and rear sprockets so all your parts wear together as one (according to conventional wisdom).

I changed sprockets and chain. Went to a cushionless aftermarket front and YES it does whine after about 10k miles. I hear it on decel and at steady highway speed. NOt objectionable IMHO. Then again, I always wear earplugs and have an insanely loud pipe and I simply love it.

I just changed rear sprockets. The one installed with the chain was worn a bit. Still has some life but I wanted a different look. ...so I just put a new sprocket on there with the old chain and countershaft sprocket. Works great. Maybe my chain and sprockets will wear a little faster than otherwise but I really doubt it will make a world of dif.

In other words, if you still have a lot or life left in one or both of your sprockets, I would not bother changing them just because you are putting on a new chain.

17t OEM has a rubber bushing and if you want a 16t with a rubber bushing use a 1995 Zephyr front sprocket. I believe the part number is 13144-1317.

* Last updated by: Rook on 7/3/2013 @ 7:22 PM *

Thanks for the replies. As ever wise words from ROOK who has, via his links, helped me do more to my 14 than all the previous work I did on 6 new big Kwaks since my first a fabulous GPZ900R in 1986! My dealer asks from time to time who is doing the work now and I just smile and say ROOK and I and then I get a funny look. I am in the UK after all :)

I just smile and say ROOK and I and then I get a funny look. I am in the UK after all :)

That's right, I imagine rooks are indigenous to your country, aren't they . Messengers of the netherworld.

Glad I can be of help and let me mention again, i hope to update all the tutorials so that all the pics are posted again. I've found it necessary to reoganize my photo collection because it is getting too big. I've changed many of the old urls and now the pic is no longer posted in the thread.

So, I have my bike apart, I am awaiting a DID chain with JT Sprockets that came as a kit. I am now just figuring out that the OEM sprocket has the rubber cladding. Any opinions on if I should spend another 38 bucks and get an OEM with rubber cladding to aviod noise? Thanks1

I doubt you're gonna hear much difference.Next sprocket just get that oem one.I changed em out both ways...I never heard anything odd.I think it's more for vibration than sound.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/12/2019 @ 2:13 PM *

Any opinions on if I should spend another 38 bucks and get an OEM with rubber cladding to aviod noise?

I've had a SuperSprox steel 17t on mine for 8 years and never heard any noise. The dampers on the OEM sprocket add a bunch of weight to that part. Not necessary IMO. I recommend not getting the OEM sprocket. It will be a waste of money and it's not better than any aftermarket steel front sprocket.

* Last updated by: Rook on 11/12/2019 @ 3:28 PM *

JT Sprockets has a line of fronts with rubber dampers.
I didn't check to see if they have one for the ZX-14.
If they did , I would opt for it.
If it didn't serve a purpose the factory wouldn't supply it on the bike.
As far as sprockets in general, they are not all equal.
I seem to get better mileage from Sunstar than JT but haven't tried many of the others.
My personal feeling is sprockets are like chain...you get what you pay for.
I've used many EK ZZZ chains and now their 3d line.
I use Sunstar sprockets when available but will try a damped JT next.
I also like the Supersprox rears.
50,000 + miles on my Turbo Blackbird with 250HP and I replaced the front sprocket only at about 25,000 miles.
The ZZZ chain and Supersprox rear sprocket was still fine at 50,000 miles.
Now tires...that's another story...11 sets of Pilot Powers and 1 set of Pirelli Angels.
Damn, that bike was fun....lol...sorry for the ramble guys....

Thanks guys. I will install the JT that came with the kit and see what happens. Just like anything else, the second time around, the learning curve will be passed and if I find problems with the non rubberized version, I will replace it.

I never had any issues using a JT front sprocket.Or any other.

If it didn't serve a purpose the factory wouldn't supply it on the bike.

BTW, I took out the plate and rubber cushion inside the sprocket cover on my bike. Another safety feature just incase the chain falls off or breaks.

My '79 Suzuki GS1000 came new with a front sprocket with rubber dampers. I read that it helps minimize vibration, but the main reason the factory used this sprocket was to meet stricter noise levels. It's not just the exhaust decibel's that make all the noise.
Only problem I had with the Suzuki's sprocket was when the original had around 60,000 miles the dampers became loose and the "squeaking" noise was pretty loud. Otherwise, the sprocket showed no significant wear. Replaced it with the same.

* Last updated by: KAK on 1/3/2020 @ 1:22 PM *

'If it didn't serve a purpose the factory wouldn't supply it on the bike'.Pretty sure that cushion is for vibration control.I've never noticed any noise coming from the front sprocket whether stock,steel w/o cushion,or more teeth or less.I think Kawasaki engineered these bikes as an overall package.One thing can affect another and take away from the whole unit performance.That's what I think.Including flashing and remapping and such.This idea is most likely a no-brainer to some.I've done a lot of different 'mods' to my 14's over the years.And every one of em lost something after doing stuff.If ya ride a factory fresh 14,you can feel the difference.I can anyway.I think this would include tires as well.OEM parts will help keep the bike feeling as it was brand new.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 1/3/2020 @ 2:16 PM *