Hello everyone-hope all is well with ya!My question-If I go with 17/45 gearing,will I need to add links to my chain(from 116 to 118).I looked on gearing commander-the 17/45 settings have a .67inch forward movement of the rear wheel(at 116 links).Right now with my 16/42,I've got just at around 1/2 inch forward movement possible.Any experience out there with chain length and 17/45 gearing?Thanks all.(I COULD squeeze another 1/4 inch or so forward if I removed the lock nut on the wheel adjuster bolt)Which I'd rather not do for obvious reasons.(though I can't see the wheel going anywhere out of alignment if the adjuster bolt's all the way in(?). I've been put on the "do not respond to" list!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/16/2009 @ 4:09 PM *

Blue, I have tried the 17/42,17/43,17/44, and my now current 17F/45R. When my stock chain was broke in, I could Not get the 17F/44R to fit with the stock length. That being said, one link is a MUST for a 17F/44R combo. If you are going to a 45R this may require 1 3/4 links, so I'm guessing 2 links would be fine. Just wondering why don't you just get a new chain ? Easy to take links out after if you decide go the other way. If my bike was not so hard to get at, I would count them 4 you. I hope this helps. Cheers.

Romans-thank GOD I FINALLY have my answer-yer a lifesaver!!!Yes-I will buy a new chain-two links bigger(I can get one like that?)Any suggestions for who I can get one from?(X-ring of course)........and........do you know anyone selling STEEL 45 rears-only thing I could find was a Vortex aluminum.I ordered one,but would order a steel one if I could find it!Thanks again Rome-you've restored my faith in this site

do you know anyone selling STEEL 45 rears-only thing I could find was a Vortex aluminum.

Great Romans-thanks so much for that info. ...........went ahead and ordered the supersprox 45 plus a new 120 link chain-this should work okay-yes?Already have a new unused Zephyr 17 just awaiting install. ...this means I have to RESET my Speedohealer!!!!!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/14/2009 @ 1:56 AM *

Life's a bitch, huh Blue? The work never ends.
Isn't the zephyr 17 the stock sprocket on our bikes?
I'm thinking of going from a 43 to a 45. The 43 was lively but not quite as much as I was hoping for. Let us know your impression of the setup when you get it on.

Ya Sharkey-I'm thinkin now that the Zephyr sprocket is the 16 tooth with the dampers on it .Ya-that's what it is.Our stockers come with the 17 damper sprocket.Anyway-Two places I ordered from so far have re-contacted me saying"we can't get you a 45 steel rear".Tried bayside-ordered a chain and the 45 supersprox-they sent me an e-mail tellin me I had to order some kind of front sprocket-something like that-geez...they said something about "working out the ratio I wanted".I've NO idea what they're talking about-I cancelled the order.Sheeez....I know what I want-the 45 rear steel and a 17 front(which I've already got). .ANYONE know where I can pick up a STEEL 45?This is just koo-koo.Supersprox apparently makes the 45 steel for the zx14!-so why didn't bayside just send it to me?(they're selling the Supersprox products!)What a hassle.There's NOTHING to figure out-new chain,120 links.New 45 sprocket,and my new 17 up front.Guess I'm not supposed to get it right now?

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/15/2009 @ 12:40 AM *

With full system and a custom map going up two teeth on the rear and one down on the front workes pretty dam good with no chain issues, Hell it wants to rip my hands off the bars now! It still dont jump like my 01 GSXR 1000, that sum bitch will do a back flip in first gear.

* Last updated by: buck20 on 12/15/2009 @ 4:32 AM *

Hay Blue, I just checked a few sites for Supersprox including where I got mine for the new Marchesini wheels. Apparently they don't make anything for Kawasaki ZX14 wheels larger than 43 teeth. They do have a 45 for the Marchesini wheel though.
Lucky me...

Ya- Sharkey-same here-NOBODY is selling 45's for the 14.Their reason"it will cause the chain to hit to swingarm".I'll accept that.No more searching for me.My 16/42 is plenty sufficient for my wants anyway.And I've always got my trusty 43 here.Funny thing-the 17/45 is virtually the same ratio as the 16/42,43.They both perform almost the same."not as lively as I was hoping for"...well Sharkey-I'm guessing you had the 17 up front with those rear gears on there.NOW......drop the front to the Zephyr 16(has the dampers on it).Ride that for a bit-tell us what ya think!Try that 16/43.(you do have your flies pulled and a good map,yes?).OOPS..sorry,I see ya DO have a custom(kick azz) map!!!!Yes,your 16/40something rear will give ya BIG GRINS!(flies are removed,yes?)If not-they GOTTA GO BRO! Geez...sorry again....you've got the 08-nevermind!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/15/2009 @ 4:51 PM *

Guess I'd better look closely at my setup. The fact that there is a sprocket for my wheel doesn't mean it will work on the ZX14 without hitting the swingarm. ......... Just checked it out. The chain actually rests on the top of the swingarm! There is a nylon chain gard which sits on top of the swingarm which is for the chain to rest on. Going to a larger sprocket in back would only move the chain away from the swingarm! That can't be the reason they don't have a 45 tooth sprocket!
My current problem is the chain is too close to the midpipe. Sometimes it rubs and I have to tighten the chain a little. I have to mount my exhaust cans on the outside of the hangar bracket. That actually makes the cans stick out wider than the rear axle sliders. Not Good. The larger diameter of the 45 tooth sprocket will move the chain down and cause it to rub the midpipe more. Guess going to a 45 is not a good option. I suppose I could have a muffler shop rebend the midpipe. I'd have to have it ceramic coated again. Or... I could put a 6 inch extension on the swingarm.
Seems like I heard someone say they had a 17/45 setup and it was quite smooth. Yea Blue, I know you like your 16 on front but, I've heard the 16 front can be a little more abrupt (not as smooth) and a little noisy. How FR I may go that route if I can't get the larger sprocket on back.
Or...I could be happy with what I have...for a while.

Ya-heard that it "transformed the bike" as well-but I gotta say-when I installed my 43 and 16 -THAT transformed my baby.It changed the way she shifted(smoother and quicker),changed the way she felt transitioning right or left,and basically caused the bike to feel like it weighed 100 pounds less-no BS.This was with stock pipes and my old DYNOJET map.I've yet to retry it with my TiForces and Jeffo map.Imma thinkin she would absolutely ROCK with that setup again-(16/43)better than before(which would be hard to match IMO(except for TURBO).I'm gonna do it again come Spring-just for the heck of it-she runs like crazy now(NOT "twitchy" on and off throttle at all)with the 16/42.I think you'd LOVE that 16 up front-believe me-it doesn't affect the throttle on/off as you might think.Very controllable.You'll get a hell of a rush though using a 45/16-maybe too much thrust?I get NO NOISE from my front 16.At first-yes,you could notice a bit of whine.But that disappeared after several hundred miles.Zephyr's got the 16 with the dampers on it(95 model year).Probably helped some with any noise.I'm thinkin that the 16/45 could "possibly" make yer bike "unrideable" for anything but straight line runs.Probably be poppin wheelies all over the place!Not good when yer comin out of a corner at 140!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/16/2009 @ 1:09 AM *

NOBODY is selling 45's for the 14.Their reason"it will cause the chain to hit to swingarm".I'll accept that.

That is BS. Ask me how I know....... Who is telling you this?

That was the rep at OPP racing-said he spoke to the guy at Driven.Who knows-I'm quite sure you are correct Rome-hell,you've done it.Ya-I don't get it why 45's are so hard to find.All kinds of websites are advertising "45" rears.Just none for the zx14-biggest they're going is 44.Heck,they have one for the zx12-how different can the bolt pattern be?

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/16/2009 @ 12:42 PM *

I have carrozz wheels and they come with the same sprocket as a ZX-12. I could compare it to the stock sprocket and see if it will bolt up. If it does than you could just order a driven sprocket for a zx-12 in the tooth count that you want.

NOW THAT would be AWESOME!Thanks for doing that!

what you doing blue? wanna make a stunt bike out of that 14...lol

Well-no,at least I didn't think so LOL!! I'm wondering though about the tensile strength of a zx12 rear 45.Anyone have any knowledge about this?HP numbers and Torque values between the 14 and the 12?(this should excite you gearheads out there-POST UP BOYS!!!!(or GIRLS)-if there's any out there! Stunting anyone? (no-not with my bike you don't!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/16/2009 @ 4:29 PM *

ok Blue sorry they dont match up. The inner circumfrence of the sprocket is larger on the 14 and the spacing is farther apart for the bolt pattern. I have a replacement sprocket already for when the one that comes with the wheels wears out I have it handy. I have about 9k on the driven sprocket now and its holding up great, would recommend them.

blue,
like mash said, the 12 has a different pattern. When you order Carro's the specifically tell you you'll need to replace your rear sprocket with a ZX12 sprocket.

Yo-Cutback-how's it goin?Well,I aint buyin any Carro's anytime soon just to get that 45!!! I'm just gonna slap that 43 on there,with my 16-ya-run er like that for a bit.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/17/2009 @ 7:36 AM *

Hey bro, just hang on when you "stab and grab"

Just put that puppy back on there-can't ride now-ICE,SNOW-everywhere Gonna be ablast come Spring though!WoHoooo!!!!Ya Cutback-I'll be hangin on alright!last time I had this gearing,my baby had stock pipes,a Dynojet map,(no flies),and ran REALLY GOOD.Now I've got a Kickazz map,Tiforces(duals). "It's a gonna be a fun time in the old town tonight!!!!" as the song goes!!!!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/17/2009 @ 9:25 AM *

She's going to rip blue. I remember going -1,+1 on my CBR and that was the ticket. I can just imagine on the 14.
Blue, are you running a pcIII or pc5? I've got a killer custom EDR tuned map for you ( if your running a 5) BMC filter, Pair mod, Ti-force full system.

Nah-I'm runnin a PCIII.But I'd definitely take ya up on that if I had the 5.Thanks for the offer Bro!.I can already imagine she's gonna be a handful with my setup now!YEEEHAAWWWW!!!Can barely wait to get er out in the Canyons....Got my GoPro camera all ready-8 gigs of video.(plus more if I take some more cards with me).Already shot several movies here.Hour long vids.I'm thinkin it's gonna be a GREAT new year!!!

* Last updated by: blue07 on 12/17/2009 @ 3:05 PM *