[Jgmsharps]

Greetings To All,
I want to gain some acceleration. I am going down 1 on the front sprocket. Does anyone know how many links to remove from the chain?
I also want to lower it. I know progressive makes a lowering kit for the front forks. Does anyone know anything about the rear suspension?

Thanks,
Little Joe

Joseph G Moreno

 

[swjohnsey]

If all you do is go down one in front you don't have to mess with the chain.

You can lower the rear with different length dog bones. You can sometimes find the on eBay. If you lower the rear that way you can safely drop the front forks the same amount without effecting handling.

 

[Dave Leonard]

As swjohnsey mentioned elsewhere, putting a smaller sprocket on the front can cause problems. I'm not all that certain about the ZX-6 layout here, but on the ZX-9, for example, the chain already rides over the swingarm guide making it difficult to achieve the proper chain slack. On these bikes, having an even smaller front sprocket just makes the problem that much worse. You can get the slack just right with the bike on the side stand, but with the rider on board, the chain slack disappears completely. The results in many bikes having their chains set way too tight. This condition also causes the plastic or rubber guide to wear completely through and having the chain start cutting into the swingarm itself. So you might want to consider going up on the rear, as this tends to lift the chain just that much further away from the swingarm. One tooth on the front is about equal to three teeth on the rear, which may be too much reduction, so you'll also have a little more option with the rear.

 

[Jgmsharps]

Thanks Guys. Appreciate that.
Little Joe

 

[csoto23]

Originally posted by Dave Leonard

As swjohnsey mentioned elsewhere, putting a smaller sprocket on the front can cause problems. I'm not all that certain about the ZX-6 layout here, but on the ZX-9, for example, the chain already rides over the swingarm guide making it difficult to achieve the proper chain slack. On these bikes, having an even smaller front sprocket just makes the problem that much worse. You can get the slack just right with the bike on the side stand, but with the rider on board, the chain slack disappears completely. The results in many bikes having their chains set way too tight. This condition also causes the plastic or rubber guide to wear completely through and having the chain start cutting into the swingarm itself. So you might want to consider going up on the rear, as this tends to lift the chain just that much further away from the swingarm. One tooth on the front is about equal to three teeth on the rear, which may be too much reduction, so you'll also have a little more option with the rear.

With that said, is a new chain needed if I were to go up 3 in the back? If so. how much is a new chain.

 

[Rob Lee]

csoto23,

If you go up three in rear, you will need a longer chain. I have gone down one in front, and the chain did not rub the guard.

For more on chains and sprockets, check out this thread.

 

[Cambridgezx6r]

It's probably better in the long term to go +3 in back rather than -1 in front. Fogure about 80 USD for the chain alone. Shrug. www.sprocketspecialistscom or AFM for exact pricing. Really, Mr. Leonard had some good advice, ride around in 5th for a while. If it doesn't bug ya, dropping gearing would be good for ya. If it does, then dropping 1 in front or +2-3 in back may cause issues for you.

'00 ZX6R silver

 

[Jgmsharps]

I guess the best thing for me to do is just leave the bike stock and lose about 30 pounds and gain a couple of horses. I want to do some highway cruising. The speed limit down here is 70 and most people will do between 75 and 80. Ever since I put the K&N filter black smoke comes out whenever I rev it. I will put back the stock filter and put new plugs. How much play if any should there be on the rear sprocket when you move the tire back and forth and try to hold the sprocket in place? I have a tiny bit. About 1/16th of an inch or less. Is that normal?
Thanks,
Joe

 

[swjohnsey]

Yeah, that is just the play in the cush drive.

 

[ninjanick]

Hey Rob Lee, I'd emial you but I can't make that work, we don't use outlook.

Anyway, in another post youmentioned that you have done both, gone up 2 out back and also have gone down one up front, both with the sotck chain.

I have an 02 with 5,000 miles on it. I'd like to go up 2 out back, so you think that will work? How many miles were on the china that you used when you went up 2 out back? Its was a tight fit but made it? Any tips or tricks?

 

[Rob Lee]

ninjanick,

When I replaced the stock chain, I went two up in back with the brand new chain and sprockets. They fit easily with the proper slack. For the street, I like that change better than one down in front.

If you like, I will be happy to send you a nearly new Sprocket Specialists 42t aluminum rear sprocket.

 

[ninjanick]

Rob,

Now I'm confused a bit. This is what you said in that other post.

"I have gone down one up front and the properly adjusted stock chain did not rub the guard.

I have also gone up two out back and used the stock chain. It would have been too short had I gone up three."

I took this as if you had made to seperate changes. As in you ran 1 down up font with the stock rear gear, and the chain fit.

In second statement, I took it as you ran two up out back with the stock front gear and chiain.

Is this correct or did you run 1 down up front and two up out back all at the same time?

I think were on the same page, you just threw me for a loop when you said you replaced the stock chain, did you stick with 108 links? What year is your bike anyway?

I think I really would like the two up out back as opposed to 1 down up fornt, not too much of a change but still noticable. Just right for the street and ocashional track days.

As long as our applications are the same I might be intrested in that sprocket if the price is very resonable. I've been getting burned lately buying used stuff, so for somthing that is 40 bucks new (steel) its hard to justify buying used, easipecally when its not steel (easy to wear out if chian isn't adjusted just soo), or could lead to premature wear of my perfectly good chain (that's a long shot though). Does it have the hardcoat anodize, or is it just plain aluminum? How worn, would you keep using it, how many miles, how come your not using it? How mush do you want for it? Sorry about the 20 questions

Regardless, thanks for your help, just glad soneone has gone through this and is willing to help me out.

Ninjanick

 

[Rob Lee]

ninjanick,

I am sorry I was unclear.

I replaced the stock chain with another of the same length. My point was that a new 108-link chain fits the stock front and a 42t rear sprocket.

My model year is in my profile but is irrelevant because all ZX-6Rs have the same stock gearing and chain length.

The standard aluminum sprocket is not hard anodized. I replaced it at a couple of hundred miles to fit a 520-size counterpart. Put another way, I would be worried about hastened wear on the sprocket, not the chain.

If you are unhappy with the sprocket, it will make a great (and quite light) paper weight. It is not only very reasonably priced, it is free.

 

[ninjanick]

That price does sound pretty good but maybe you could ship it for nothing and send me 20 bucks as I have been such a nice guy . I'll take it my man!!!! You do man!

So would you be willing to post your emial address so we could work on cordinating this? Will also have to come up with some way for me to repay you. Like I said before we don't use outlook so I can't pull up the address you have listed.

I'd post mine, but its a work address, and the only one I have, and I'd prefer not to throw it up, but will if need be.

Thanks again man.

 

[Rob Lee]

ninjanick,

Email me your shipping address at [email protected].