Re-geared the R3 with the 40 tooth sprocket on the back to replace the 43 tooth.

 

Much nicer to rider, indicated 80 in third now, still pulls 6th no problem and a much better cruising gear.

 

Top speed, depending on the all important wind of course, will usually be in fifth now I am reckoning.

 

Improved fuel consumption might even pay for the sprocket.

 

Probably would feel over-geared if two up but I can only take a 60 kg pillion, due to my size so no bad, even thought about removing rear pegs but as one is integral with exhaust hanger not much point.

 

Well happy. Best done just after running-in I reckon with little wear on gearbox sprocket or chain.  

Still thinking of going down to 4 hundred series chain, maybe later.

 

 

Edited 28 August, 20178 yr by lol-lol

Took the Triumph up to Norfolk to stay with the girlfriend, made a change from going in the car

9 hours ago, Prykey said:

Took the Triumph up to Norfolk to stay with the girlfriend, made a change from going in the car

Good effort. Good ride? 

Fitted an Akrapovic titanium full system yesterday. 

 

Lovin it. 

6 minutes ago, fabiamk2SE said:

Good effort. Good ride? 

 

Yes thanks, lovely early evening ride there on Friday and a lovely evening ride home on Monday

21 hours ago, fabiamk2SE said:

Fitted an Akrapovic titanium full system yesterday. 

 

Lovin it. 

 

I ordered a Y splitter exhaust for mine yesterday so I can put a can at either side,

 

Just need to decide what cans to buy now

1 minute ago, Volvomeg said:

 

I ordered a Y splitter exhaust for mine yesterday so I can put a can at either side,

 

Just need to decide what cans to buy now

 

Good effort. Pics when its done? 

 

I'd certainly suggest one of the bigger brands. 

 

I've tried cheaper stuff in the past n it never quite sounds as good imo. 

New tyres fitted after wearing the others out in Scotland. Praised by the fitter for maximum use out of the previous tyres. 

Just having a big fat breakfast at Squires Cafe before I go scrub in the new Metz Roadtec 01's.  

3 hours ago, CWARD said:

New tyres fitted after wearing the others out in Scotland. Praised by the fitter for maximum use out of the previous tyres. 

Just having a big fat breakfast at Squires Cafe before I go scrub in the new Metz Roadtec 01's.  

 

Good effort 

 

i think youll like the Roadtec's. Ive got them on the Tracer and theyre brill. Especially in the damp and wet 

I had wanted Pilot Road 4 but everyone keeps recommending the Roadtec 01 so thought I'd give them a try. Tyre fitter was full of praise for them stating how good they are and supply is the only problem as they sell so fast compared to any other. Whilst the tyre fitter was singing its praise and how much better it was than the Michelin's, the guy next to me was looking gutted as he'd just had his TEX fitted with PR4's.

On the way back from Squire's we called in at Jordans then Jem's motorcycles as my brother has the itch for a new bike. At Jem's someone had brought their Kwak Ninja H2. I've not been into sports bikes for a while but that bike could change my view, absolutely stunning and blipping the throttle made my balls tingle. 

Anyone local to the Leeds area it's well worth visiting Jem's Motorcycles on Bradford Road, Batley as they've redeveloped with various shops and a cafe. 

 

6 hours ago, CWARD said:

I had wanted Pilot Road 4 but everyone keeps recommending the Roadtec 01 so thought I'd give them a try. Tyre fitter was full of praise for them stating how good they are and supply is the only problem as they sell so fast compared to any other. Whilst the tyre fitter was singing its praise and how much better it was than the Michelin's, the guy next to me was looking gutted as he'd just had his TEX fitted with PR4's.

On the way back from Squire's we called in at Jordans then Jem's motorcycles as my brother has the itch for a new bike. At Jem's someone had brought their Kwak Ninja H2. I've not been into sports bikes for a while but that bike could change my view, absolutely stunning and blipping the throttle made my balls tingle. 

Anyone local to the Leeds area it's well worth visiting Jem's Motorcycles on Bradford Road, Batley as they've redeveloped with various shops and a cafe. 

 

 

The PR4's arent quite as good as the PR3's imo. Both very good tyres but things have moved on since then. 

 

Jemspeed shop is that? Ive been there, properly nice shop with some stunning bikes in. Mostly all a1 condition too. Its not like any other bike shop is it really.. pretty cool place. 

 

Is squires far from you then? Ive been there a few times 

Edited 2 September, 20178 yr by fabiamk2SE

Jemspeed is is a 15 min walk for me. It used to be the one floor but now there is a basement that's opened up when ch about five times the size of upstairs. Shops, barbers, large cafe and more bikes. V8 motorbike amongst others, yeah it pretty cool. 

Squires is the other side of Leeds to me. I don't tend to go that often unlike my brother. Must admit it's better since the new owners took over. 

11 hours ago, CWARD said:

Jemspeed is is a 15 min walk for me. It used to be the one floor but now there is a basement that's opened up when ch about five times the size of upstairs. Shops, barbers, large cafe and more bikes. V8 motorbike amongst others, yeah it pretty cool. 

Squires is the other side of Leeds to me. I don't tend to go that often unlike my brother. Must admit it's better since the new owners took over. 

 

Ace isnt it. Good food there aswel. Well worth a visit. 

 

Squires is okay if i just fancy a walk about lookin at bikes n a ride out but tbh the food i had was ****e    Basically just use the carpark cos of whats in it   

14 minutes ago, fabiamk2SE said:

Squires is okay if i just fancy a walk about lookin at bikes n a ride out but tbh the food i had was ****e    Basically just use the carpark cos of whats in it   

 

Normally just have a cuppa when I'm there. Previous to yesterday's breakfast I hadn't eaten there for a long time as the food was poor but yesterday's was actually pretty good. 

Ive never seen the appeal of meet ups at biker places for the sake of it. If there is something there worth visiting  or convenient place to start a ride from there fair enough but not as a destination unless the roads to get there make it worth while. Squires doesn't qualify on any of those, it's a car park. 

On 28/08/2017 at 12:25, lol-lol said:

 

Re-geared the R3 with the 40 tooth sprocket on the back to replace the 43 tooth.

 

Much nicer to rider, indicated 80 in third now, still pulls 6th no problem and a much better cruising gear.

 

Top speed, depending on the all important wind of course, will usually be in fifth now I am reckoning.

 

Improved fuel consumption might even pay for the sprocket.

 

Probably would feel over-geared if two up but I can only take a 60 kg pillion, due to my size so no bad, even thought about removing rear pegs but as one is integral with exhaust hanger not much point.

 

Well happy. Best done just after running-in I reckon with little wear on gearbox sprocket or chain.  

Still thinking of going down to 4 hundred series chain, maybe later.

 

 

 

Just been looking at something similar for my brothers bike but dropping front sprocket to increase the torque and drop the speed as he does most of his riding in town so lots of point and squirt in lower  gears rather than steady speeds in the upper gears.

 

I've justr put your R3 sprocket change into the calculator and that is quite drastic -7.5% torque, +7.5% speed and a whopping 6 links off from the chain. Increasing the front sprocket to a 15 tooth would have been cheaper and doable by sliding the rear wheel forward and no need to adjust the chain then.

Dropping to a 4 hundred series chain will surely mean changing both sprockets due to the difference in pitch. Other than a small weight saving I can't see the point as most sprocket combinations will be track orientated probably based on more drive out of corners to compensate for the low power output of these engines which will be the opposite of what you've just done plus you'll end with shorter chain/sprocket life. What is your aim on this?  

9 hours ago, CWARD said:

 

Just been looking at something similar for my brothers bike but dropping front sprocket to increase the torque and drop the speed as he does most of his riding in town so lots of point and squirt in lower  gears rather than steady speeds in the upper gears.

 

I've just put your R3 sprocket change into the calculator and that is quite drastic -7.5% torque, +7.5% speed and a whopping 6 links off from the chain. Increasing the front sprocket to a 15 tooth would have been cheaper and doable by sliding the rear wheel forward and no need to adjust the chain then.

Dropping to a 4 hundred series chain will surely mean changing both sprockets due to the difference in pitch. Other than a small weight saving I can't see the point as most sprocket combinations will be track orientated probably based on more drive out of corners to compensate for the low power output of these engines which will be the opposite of what you've just done plus you'll end with shorter chain/sprocket life. What is your aim on this?  

 

Yep 7.5% change.   Three teeth off rear sprocket is equivalent to chain being 1.5 links longer not 6, ie chain is only round half the sprocket of course.  Did not need to shorten the chain as this apparent extra length was taken up by the chain adjusters no problem with adjustment to spare.

 

R3 felt like it was geared for 2 up. I wanted a lower more pleasant ie lower revs in 6th but also that second got me to 60 and third to 80 as it seemed to be hitting the redline too quickly in these lower gears.  In acceleration much of the available power is used in spinning up the motor so higher gearing can actual improve acceleration to key milestones rather than reduce it. 

 

The R3s that are raced use 400 series chains and sprockets to both reduce weight, of chain, and sprocket and I would reckon reduce friction and lost power.  Also would give you more gearing options due to the more teeth.

 

    

Edited 7 September, 20178 yr by lol-lol

I'd taken the ratio and chain length differences off Sprocket Calculater, I thought a difference of 6 a lot. 

I've been a look on the R3 forum on the 415 conversions. 3lbs loss of rotating mass is pretty impressive and will reduce energy loss to the back wheel. The 415 sprocket kits all seem to be on the large side, both front and rears, to keep the gearing near the stock 3.07 i.e. 17-52 and 18-55. I assume this is because they're aimed at track rather than road. Sprockets that size will require mods to the front sprocket cover, chain and toe guards for road use. A lot of hassle even though you will benefit from a bit more acceleration but all at the cost of extra maintenance costs, which contradicts the low running costs that you've stated before. 

 

Reducing the gear ratio will never give you faster acceleration, never works that way. 

With the reduced ratio is your speedo now more accurate? I know most bikes are reading up to 10% higher to avoid litigation but it also increases mileage on the odometer too. 

15 hours ago, CWARD said:

I'd taken the ratio and chain length differences off Sprocket Calculater, I thought a difference of 6 a lot. 

I've been a look on the R3 forum on the 415 conversions. 3lbs loss of rotating mass is pretty impressive and will reduce energy loss to the back wheel. The 415 sprocket kits all seem to be on the large side, both front and rears, to keep the gearing near the stock 3.07 i.e. 17-52 and 18-55. I assume this is because they're aimed at track rather than road. Sprockets that size will require mods to the front sprocket cover, chain and toe guards for road use. A lot of hassle even though you will benefit from a bit more acceleration but all at the cost of extra maintenance costs, which contradicts the low running costs that you've stated before. 

 

Reducing the gear ratio will never give you faster acceleration, never works that way. 

With the reduced ratio is your speedo now more accurate? I know most bikes are reading up to 10% higher to avoid litigation but it also increases mileage on the odometer too. 

 

Rear sprocket was only £16 I recall and might give me another 1 or 2 mpg perhaps.  

 

On the ABS models the change in gearing does not affect the speedo accuracy, only on the non-ABS models does it where the speedo works differently.

 

When it takes between a third and two thirds of a second to change gear actually reducing the final drive ratio can reduce time to certain mph points both in standing start and roll ons.  For the R3 to 60 mph I can only have to change once and not twice ie saving around half a second and I reckon losing less than that with the gearing change and on the A road pass starting in 3rd or 4th I reckon so too also.  Plus much more relaxed in 6th though top speed will be in 5th now unless there is a strong tail wind I also reckon.  It just feel more right than previously even with a big bloke like me on it and still chugs out of restricted areas in 5th or 6th as it produces 75% of it max torque at 3,000 rpm but revs to 13k rpm so changing gear there straddles max torque and power nicely.  Well pleased.   

 

 

Back brake pads replaced, all ready for more miles and smiles. 

 

I think I'll just relax now and enjoy my glass of Edradour 2002 - 14 year old cask strength, which I picked up on my bike tour of Scotland. Tastes even better than I remember. It must be all those miles in the pannier that's improved it 

 

Have a good weekend and hope you all get some miles on them bikes, especially those going to the Skoda meet. 

Just now, CWARD said:

Back brake pads replaced, all ready for more miles and smiles. 

 

I think I'll just relax now and enjoy my glass of Edradour 2002 - 14 year old cask strength, which I picked up on my bike tour of Scotland. Tastes even better than I remember. It must be all those miles in the pannier that's improved it 

 

Have a good weekend and hope you all get some miles on them bikes, especially those going to the Skoda meet. 

 

Good effort fella. How many miles are on the bike now? You must of done the fronts already? 

 

Maybe thats what the scottish use to make the weather bearable haha. Enjoy! 

12-13k miles something like that.

 

Fronts had already been done and still have plenty of pad left on them. 

 

We actually had pretty good weather in Scotland if don't count it raining on the first day to Moffat and then on the trip from Aberdeen to Stirling. The other days were fine though.  Besides in Scotland it can sunny and raining at the same time. 

 

My mate who we met up with at Aberdeen had just done the North Coast 500 with another lad. Really recommended it so it's on my list of future trips. 

Bike is already for RTTW on Saturday and I'm looking forward to a great day. Tried getting the wife to come along but October is too cold for her, plus she remembers how wet I got last last year.  Anyone else going have a great time.

 

Made some adjustments to the PDOiler chain oiler after Scotland as it used a wick system that the chain would touch and thereby deposit oil on the chain. I found out that whilst it worked well the wick would also collect dust kicked up off the road and stick to it then deposit that on the chain too instead of clean oil. I've swapped that part of it out and used a Scottoiler dual injection direct to the rear sprocket. If also gives a neater solution as I had to use a cable tie to hold the wick mount in place.

Went out for a bit of a play on the 2018 Harleys

 

114ci (1870cc) Fat Bob is more Mad Max than Easy Rider and is actually rather good

 

 

New Fatboy rides well too.

 

That first ones actually pretty cool. 

 

1870cc. Bonkers isnt it. Have they got any faster over recent years then? Take it theyre all liquid cooled now? 

5 hours ago, fabiamk2SE said:

That first ones actually pretty cool. 

 

1870cc. Bonkers isnt it. Have they got any faster over recent years then? Take it theyre all liquid cooled now? 

 

First off, can I caveat everything that I say with "...for a Harley"?

 

They've actually done a pretty good job. By quieting down the engines quite a bit, they've managed to make the intake and exhaust a little freer flowing (and hence louder) but still get through noise tests. Consequently, a 114 out of the crate has about the same performance as the older 110 S & CVO models with stage 1. Despite not making them rocket ship fast, this does at least mean that you don't have to get the dealer to change the exhaust/air filter and fueling as part of the pre-delivery inspection with all the resultant cost/insurance hassle/neighbour-annoying racket. 

 

There's also the slightly more powerful 1923cc version in the CVO models if you need more grunt.

 

Regarding the cooling, models with fairing lowers have both water cooling and oil cooling; the radiators being hidden in the lowers. Models without only have oil cooling. But both sorts of cooling is only of the heads, not the cylinders as far as I can tell; the cylinders still rely on airflow.

 

I rather liked the Fat Bob; low, not-too-far-forward-forward-controls, stable, good seat, descent handling and reasonable brakes but the suspension was a bit rudimentary and I had to some nasty jolts on some rough roads that my R1200R glides over (pun intended).

 

The softer suspension on the Fatboy suited the cruiser style better and soaked up the bumps better, but the brakes on that were a bit of a worry.

 

If I'm honest, the 114 has enough power for most situations (as long as those situations aren't nipping past someone on a country road) and the handling and comfort are pretty good too. I would want a screen and twin disks up front and that combination doesn't exist. Other than the Fat Bob, all the "standard" bikes with twin disks are 107 ci. The CVO bikes are 117 ci and have twin disks but start at about £31,500...