All
I am going to need a new chain and sprockets soon on the 88 Hurricane 1000. Current sprockets are stock 17 front and 43 back. I am wanting a little more bottom end grunt. I was thinking of going with a 16 front and a 45 back which will put me at a 2.81 ratio. Stock ratio is 2.53 This is based on the JT Sprockets graph.

I have heard the stock chain will work. Anybody know for sure?
I am planning on going with a 530 RK Gold chain 114 link.

Thanks all

 

It'll be a wheelie machine !- do one or the other, I'd say- Both is almost the same as 6 teeth on the back or two off the front...........I've done 15/42 and it was great fun but your speedo goes way out and your consumption will be off the chart.......
Std chain may fit, the 16 sprocket is quite a bit smaller than std, but the 45 worries me, so not sure.

 

Can you add links into your chain, or would you have to buy a complete new one?

 

Adding links is a bad idea because the new link will not be worn like the others.
But I don't see why you couldn't use more than one riveted master link from the beginning.
But then why wouldn't you just buy a longer chain up front.....?

Which is what I would suggest to hurricanematt if he's worried about it. You can get the RK X-ring gold chains in 120link for like $103 shipped on ebay (HERE)....then just cut the chain to fit.

However..... I've run 17/44 on stock length chains, you just have to move the wheel forward a tad..... so you should be fine at 16/45 with a 114link. (only like a 5mm forward move)

 

Run with it you'll have fun and plan on an extra link or two. My chain runs 117 links and
is doing just fine.

Adding new links to an old chain is as Trout rightly points out..is...... not a great idea.
And the oring on the sprocket chain guide disk gets left out. Leave in on and it will
not tension right and will get chewed up in a few miles

In any event if you are going with new sprockets a new chain (most good sealed chains arrive with 120 links) is a smart way to go as putting a sloppy stretched old
chain on will prematurely cause wear on your new sprockets.

 

Thank you all for your help. I have decided to go with a 16 front and a 44 rear which will put me at a 2.75 ratio. My stock set up is 17F/43R which is a 2.53 ratio. I did a visual to varify this. Do you all think the 16/44 will be that noticeable?

Will the stock chain work with this? I think it will. Let me know what you think please. If not I can always order the 120 link when I purchase the new chain.
Thanks again for your support.

 

I think you'll notice it a little. I don't think it will be a huge change, but I noticed just going up 2 in the rear from the stock 42.
And yeah, you'll be fine with a stock chain. Basically, it's no difference in sprocket distance at all. (unless you consider 1/2 of a millimeter a difference. )

 

You will indeed notice it ...... at a 2.75 ratio ....good around town
not so much out on the highway
It will feel a little ratchety up front ....smaller sprocket
Rem take the oring off the sprocket guide disk or it'll get
chewed up fast ....stock chain size will work .....me ...I'd
move out a link or two at least in case you want try other
combo's later .....for better highway cruising !

 

Thank you so much for your help. I will let you know how the old girl performs. I will be doing the change next week. Thanks again.

 

Well the new chain and sprockets are on. I like the the 16/44 sprocket change. It is noticeble. The engine is more responsive for sure. I like the change and will try it out for a while. I think it will really help in the twisties. Thanks for all the help I received here.