BobcatSig

Since I can't stand the squiddly-ness of the "other" Honda forums, I thought I might ask a group well versed in this sort of thing ...
[/other forum dig]

My newly procured 929 will be needing sprockets and chain here before the end of the summer. But a little background first:

On my F4, I ran -1/0 gearing Had I to do it over, I would have kept the front stock and upped the rear. That small of a sprocket up front didn't seem to mesh well with the chain. I also ran Vortex front and rear and got over 10k miles on them. As for the chain, I rode a DID, but less than happy results. I felt I could never keep it lubed properly to the point I had several hard links by the time she moved on down the road. I also opted for the 520 conversion, which made it feel like a new bike (along with the different gearing).

So I'm after a few things:

1. Gearing: Should I run 'er stock? If not, what have you (that own or have owned) found to be a good set-up?
2. 520 conversion: For a carb'ed 600, this was a no brainer as the stock 525 was overkill. But for a liter bike, is the stock 530 overkill? What have your experiences been with running a 520 conversion?
3. Brands: I'm leaning towards Renthal for the sprockets due to their rave reviews, their extensive use in the paddocks and they look like mean business. I always felt that the Vortex were a little blingy. Any thoughts/comments on brands? Chains?
4. Chain Lube/Wax: (I know I should search, but I just thought of this) Thoughts, links, et al? I used Silkolene previously and felt that once it cured, it was great, but I also got a lot of fling-off from it.

Any and all thoughts from you 'Blade owners (past and present) are much appreciated!

HondaGalToo

I'm still on my stock chain, so I have no opinion on the 520 conversion, although the decreased weight won't be very noticeable, in my opinion. It's the gearing change you'll notice.

For gearing, I have -1 front, +1 rear (15/44). I like it a lot and it doesn't make it too buzzy for street use, although I did it for increased acceleration at the track.

I'm an AFAM fan!

I like Maxima Chain Wax and the PJ Black label gets good reviews, too.

__________________
“I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.”
~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

Baketech

15/45...sorted.

__________________
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."

seamus

For a bike that'll see a lot of street use, I'd go with steel sprockets and stick with the OEM sized chain.

I learned last year that aluminum rear sprockets need to have a very keen eye kept on them...

__________________
Ducit Amor Patriae

Richard Herald, The Gentle Giant

The nation that makes a great distinction between its scholars and its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting done by fools.
--- Thucydides

HondaGalToo

I've got about 12k on my aluminum rear sprocket (original stock chain-total miles ~16k)

Seamus, I remember that picture, quite dramatic wear!

__________________
“I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all the kinds of things you can't see from the center.”
~Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

maxib

Yeah...seamus' sprocket was like many of my patients...almost no teeth left!

(Where is that picture when I needed it?)

ccwilli3

the stock chain will fit a 15/45 with the axle slid up all the way if I remember correctly. If the 530 on there now isn't stretched and is fairly new, then just buy new sprockets and stay with the chain you have. The cost of the 520 chain outweighs the lesser cost of 520 sprockets.

If the chain has some age on it though, may as well got with a 520 and stick with a name brand gold X-ring from DID or RK. The tensile strength on the nice DID 520 chain is stronger than most stock 530s, so no sweat there. I have always liked AFAM too, make sure to order the hard anodized version and like seamus said, keep an eye on it. The slightest mis-alignment will eat up a new alu rear sprocket in no time. I ate a vortex sprocket on my RC51 in no time.

Having said all of that, man, I thought 15/43 was almost overkill for the street on my 929. On my 600RR, sure, the 15/43 was great but on the 929 with it's geometry, lightweight and quick throttle response, the thing was a handful to ride fast on the skreet with that instant thrust due to that gearing...

__________________
Cleaver, a film by christopher moltisanti and carmine lupertazzi