[Croikee26]

Okay hopefully two things will come out of this, the proper termenology for one and two, an answer

When I bought my SV it was my first bike ever. I'm slowly learning the mechanical side of things. One thing the seller said was he had put on a new sprocket (whatever the thing is the chain goes around) that would up the MPG.

My question is, first is that called a sprocket but second, does that mean he added or took away a tooth from the stock one? Oh finally, does that mean more or less torque, if he increased MPG?

 

[dream36realms]

well mpg is relative here. yes it is called a sprocket, you have two one in front and one in back. if the front one has 15 teeth than he sitched out the rear. if he added mileage here h most likely went down teeth in the rear or went up a tooth in the front. like i said count the front teeth to verify which he switched. i always believed that you should always change both sprockets and chain at same time though

 

[MagpieTear]

Yes, they are sprockets.

He may have added a tooth up front, or dropped in the back for the mythical quest for more MPG. But after I added one to the front, I'm rather convinced that it just increased my odds at getting a speeding ticket on the highway than improved my milage.

 

[tcl]

Stock gearing is 15/44 on the "S" model and 15/45 on the non "S" model and the "S" model is geared for better MPG. This means that there are 15 teeth on the front (aka countershaft) sprocket and 44 or 45 on the wheel sprocket. Adding teeth means removing the old sprocket and replacing it with one that has one or more additional teeth. Putting a larger sprocket on the rear will make the bike accelerate faster; putting a larger one on the front will make it accelerate slower (and maybe increase MPG) . "removing" one tooth on the front is equivalent to adding 3 on the rear.

 

[Croikee26]

Good info thank you. I will count the teeth when I leave Starbucks. Gotta have priorities.

Most people change both sprockets at the same time? Or just one or the other. Are there pros/cons to either approach?

 

[dream36realms]

I have always'd changed out both sprockets with my chains. just good policy. the theory is that the wear will be even and consistent that way. I guess you can look at it like changing tires on a car. you wouldnt change 3 tires and leave one half used up would you?