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Posted by OR Seedman
- September 30, 2016, 08:41:25 AManytime you happen to be here...the ribs are on me 
. but parts are never free..... 
.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- September 28, 2016, 19:00:44 PM 
So I guess I'll be getting a rib dinner if I am ever on the West coast, and Greenbarn does not have to pay for your parts because you are happy.
Posted by OR Seedman
- September 28, 2016, 17:53:00 PMthought I would give an update on the sprocket change I did a few weeks ago. I have notice a couple of definite improvements to my overall riding experience since the change over..
1. Noticeably quieter going down the road at any speed....the chain seems to produce a lot less noise...especially at the front sprocket...I can even hear the tire road noise at lower speeds instead of the chain. However, I can also now hear my speedo cable whining a bit....I may have to lube it....
2. MPG - BIG improvement.....I was getting around 42 mpg before the change while doing mixed town and freeway driving....after about 500 miles with the new setup, I am getting 50.5 mpg over the same conditions.....that is a significant improvement. I don't really notice any loss of torque, either.
So, in conclusion, I think that the 18/38 sprocket set up is a major upgrade over the 17/40 OEM set up. Makes the bike more enjoyable all around......just my $0.02 worth....
ride safe..
Posted by OR Seedman
- September 06, 2016, 08:29:21 AMSorry...no pics (I was in a hurry). Besides, there is no way I could add to your excellent detailed pictures and explanation.... . One thing I might add for those that want to do this without help, however, is that when I raised the rear tire up (while on side stand with a floor jack and a piece of 1x5 to span the swing arm), I set it so the tire was just barely touching the floor. This made it very easy to pull the axle and also set everything back together with minimum fuss and no extra help. Once everything was back together, I raised the tire so I could spin it and check the alignment before tightening everything down. I might add that I do have a complete set of mechanic's tools and that I have been working on all kinds of vehicles since I was in my teens....so this kind of job is fairly easy for me to do...I just don't mess with electrical stuff....
Posted by CDNRatMan
- September 05, 2016, 22:34:38 PMWell if I am ever out that way at least I know I'll be feed well and lots of it........I like coleslaw and potato salad with my ribs or fresh fries........
Now back to the sprocket change, of course you took plenty of pictures and can combine yours and mine to make a really nice write up for the rest of the forum and or new people on the correct way it should be done.......
Posted by OR Seedman
- September 05, 2016, 21:42:08 PMactually the ribs were really good....4 hrs of slow cooking and my own special rub...3 full racks devoured by 5 of us....and the sprocket change only took 1 hr. and the 112 link chain was just fine...the rear axle sits just a tiny bit past top dead center...took it out for a spin on the back roads up to 75 mph....still plenty of torque but a lot less engine noise....me like very much....
here is a pic of 2 of the racks...the third one is on another grill.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- September 05, 2016, 19:08:52 PMLOL I was wondering how long it was going to take for you to get here......lol......the ribs were really good.....oh I had them at the Moose tonight.......I had to eat your share and brought my share home for another meal.
OR did you get the rear one done? Or did you find something else to do.....
Posted by greenbarn
- September 05, 2016, 18:44:13 PMQuote from: CDNRatMan on September 04, 2016, 19:24:03 PMSo I guess this means that GreenBarn is not going to have to pay for the mod because it has worked.......good for you, the next sprocket change will be even easier........
Well, I'm darned glad to hear that... Have enough problems financing my OWN mods....
Glad to hear you like it, Seedman. It will be a little better yet with the rear sprocket done too.
did someone mention ribs..
Posted by CDNRatMan
- September 04, 2016, 22:58:25 PM cooking ribs......it might be a problem if I lived closer because you would have to keep an eye on me not to eat the ribs....but if you have the sprocket, and you have the place to work, and 4 hours to kill then I would be doing it.........45 mins to remove the seat, and fender, 15 mins to drop the wheel, 10 min to swap sprockets, 10 mins to check the rubber dampeners, grease the bearings, then reverse the doing, 15 mins for wheel back up, 45 mins to replace the fender and seat.......
less then 3 hours and a fudge factor built in ....you can cook the ribs, do the sprocket swap, and even have time to spend time with your choice the kids or wife and make them feel special........ 
Posted by OR Seedman
- September 04, 2016, 20:49:36 PMI am really tempted to change the rear tomorrow while my babyback ribs are slow cookin' on the grill.....I will have 3 1/2 to 4 hours to get it done...should be no problem, right?
Posted by CDNRatMan
- September 04, 2016, 19:24:03 PMSo I guess this means that GreenBarn is not going to have to pay for the mod because it has worked.......good for you, the next sprocket change will be even easier........
Posted by OR Seedman
- September 04, 2016, 17:52:14 PMGot back today from a 200 mile loop ride to the Oregon coast with a buddy on his Harley bagger. I noticed 2 things right away with the new 18t front sprocket...
1. I could hardly hear the chain at all, even at low speed, and
2. less engine buzzing at 60+mph.
I think the reduction in chain noise is due to the new sprocket not being as thick as the old one below the teeth. the old one looked like the outside edges of the pin links rode on it as well as the rollers....the new one is only as wide as the teeth and that seems to make it MUCH more quiet. And I mean REALLY quiet...like it wasn't a chain drive at all.... Of course, I did wax again after I put the new sprocket on....but still.....
Also, at the end of the trip today, I figured out my mileage was 49.49 MPG....and that was a combination of winding road following a river through the coastal range and some flat open road...about 6+ mpg better than before....So...this winter I will put the 38 tooth rear on and see how it goes next spring....
Posted by CDNRatMan
- August 31, 2016, 17:08:09 PMI stuck with a 112 link chain and just removed I think it was one link to get it close to the right length. Then installed the master link and it was right on. This was the recommendation of the best Kaw mechanic in town.
Posted by OR Seedman
- August 31, 2016, 16:50:30 PM31 yrs this coming 9/14...LOL
I meant to ask...when you changed to 18/38 did you go to a 110 link chain? Just the 18 moved my axle up in front of the center point of the swing arm markings....I know that the 112 link will likely be a little long, but I am not sure if a 110 is to short...and I don't want to use a half-link...can't get them in O or X ring...
thanks in advance
Posted by CDNRatMan
- August 31, 2016, 14:59:16 PMI was married for fifteen years so I am well versed in disappointment.
But I am really interested in what you will think of this small change to the bike and what you find. So be interested in a write up after your trip.