'07 Virago chain question

[GrandPrix46]

Just ordered some JT sprockets for my virago, for better gas mileage (even though i'm getting 77 MPG city right now) and higher hwy speeds.

The sprockets are 38 tooth rear and 17 tooth front (factory is 45T rear and 16T front). My question is will I need a new chain with the sprockets? Or will I be able to adjust the stock one for it?

[prometheus578]

Always a good idea to replace both chain and sprokets at the same time. Chains stretch with use... the links get further apart. This wears the sprockets teeth.
Putting an already stretched chain on new sprockets will wear the sprockets faster.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Grandprix,

That's a pretty big change, going from ~2.81:1 ratio to a 2.23:1 ratio....about a 20-25% change!

Depending on how old your chain is, and the fact that you'll have one that is probably going to be too long anyways, it's usually recommended to put a new chain on with new sprockets, otherwise the old chain won't fit as snugly and could cause premature wear of the sprockets!

Hope you don't end up LUGGING the engine running at too low an rpm for the speed you want to run at!?!? A speed that would have given you 6k rpm would/could be dropped to 4800, might be too steep for the engine to effectively drive/maintain and you could actually end up using more fuel trying to push the bike at that rpm?

The XS11 is a very strong engine, and folks with the 750 FD mod have gotten about 500 rpm drop, but you're talking about over twice that!?
T.C.

[GrandPrix46]

As far as the age of the chain, I bought the bike brand new in january, and i've got just over 800 miles on it right now.

Not too worried about it being too big of a gear change, only reason i'm doing it is because others have and recommended it. It makes most of its power in the low/midrange anyways, being a 250 it doesn't have much in the upper RPM's. At 60 MPH it turns about 6k rpm's in its stock configuration, on hwy cruises I have to maintain at least 70-75 mph. Even at 50 (speed I do most of my riding) it just feels like it's revving to high in 5th.

I'll look into some chains and see what they run.

[fredintoon]

Replace it all & buy a Scottoiler too.

Hi GP46,
"old chain eats new sprockets; old sprockets eat new chain."
Even with only 800 miles on them your chain & sprockets are beginning to be well bedded together and the chain won't get on well with the new sprockets. The long term economy is to buy new sprockets and chain while carefully keeping the old set in case you want to swap back again. Also the chain you get on a new bike is as cheap a chain as the Mfrs can get away with fitting. You have the option of getting a good O-ring or X-ring chain that costs twice as much and lasts 4 times as long. Buying a Scottoiler or other automatic chain oiler will extend the sprocket & chain's life another 500%.

[GrandPrix46]

Hey Fred,

Any idea where I can find those chains or oilers?

[fredintoon]

Finding stuff

Hi GP46,
X-ring chain claims to be longer lasting than O-ring chain but it costs more.
Scottoiler isn't the only automatic chain oiling gadget in town, it's just the one I have.
To find either:-
First, go to your local motorcycle dealer and ask.
Second, Google "X-ring motorcycle chain" and "automatic chain oiler" to get thousands of hits on those things.