38 / 18 sprockets

[ELIMINATOR]

OK, I fitted the rear sprocket earlier, too damn hot to carry on with the front one.

With the original (hopefully well stretched chain) I tightened the chain adjusters all the way and ran out of adjustment.

Once I've fitted the bigger than standard front sprocket, will I be able to tighten the new standard number of links chain properly? Or will I have to remove a link?

[yamaha fj rider]

If your FJ had the 17/40 should be fine. What year and how many links in chain?

Kurt

[FJSpringy]

just out of interest and slightly off topic, I ran 39/18 for quite  a while and it was not happiness, went to 39/17 much nicer.

I suspect 38/18 would be very unhelpful except for highway touring, and absolutely woeful for hill starts with a fully loaded bike.

[fj11.5]

I've recently fitted 18/38 , no worries around town , excellent on the highway loving the overdrive , have tried a few combos, 15/41 , 15/40/ 16/ 44  16/41 16/40 .17/40 ,17/44  as yet I havnt tried a fully loaded hill start, but I don't carry that much when touring

[1tinindian]

I went fron the 17/40, to a 18/39 and I love the overdrive effect also.
I don't load the bike down, so these gears really suite the way I ride.
I used a 530-110 link chain and have no problems adjusting.

Leon

[fj11.5]

The gearing seems to let the engine work better as its actually using the power with the higher gearing and not just revving its arse off

[ELIMINATOR]

The chain is 110 links. 1990 3cv, not actually counted the links in the old chain, the box with the new chain says 110 links.

[yamaha fj rider]

Should be good to go. Please let us know how you like the new gearing. 

Kurt

[ELIMINATOR]

Front sprocket now fitted.

Old one looks a "little" worn I expected to struggle removing the sprocket, I braced myself while sitting on the bike with my foot on the brake, no resistance at all when undoing

That is totally shagged

just have to get my mate with the chain tool to remove the old chain, and put the new one on for me.




It's not clear in this photo, but, the dark round plastic disc is some sort of sound deadening device? The replacement doesn't have it.

I wonder if that's an original front sprocket? Can't be can it? 51,000 ish on the clock.

[rktmanfj]

It's not clear in this photo, but, the dark round plastic disc is some sort of sound deadening device? The replacement doesn't have it.

I wonder if that's an original front sprocket? Can't be can it? 51,000 ish on the clock.

I'd bet that it is.       

[fj11.5]

Faaaaaarrrrk, fair bet that is original,  should of been swapped out 20,000 ks ago , you will love the new gearing, no worries about the plastic not being there,  , at least you didnt need a rattle gun to undo yours

[ELIMINATOR]

I also fitted the spin on oil adaptor.

Started the bike up to see if there were any leaks............... sure enough it leaks.

not an oil leak, petrol from the overflow from the carbs. Treat the old girl nice and this is how she repays me.

Might be lack of use at the moment, once the chain is on, take her for a long run and see if it cures itself.

Hmm, how long have I been calling the bike "her" 

[racerrad8]

It's not clear in this photo, but, the dark round plastic disc is some sort of sound deadening device? The replacement doesn't have it.

Yes, the O.E. Yamaha sprocket had the rubber on both side of the sprocket for noise suppression, you can see it clearly here;
Yamaha 17t Sprocket

AS you can see the aftermarket does not use the rubber as seen here;
PBI 18t sprocket.

Randy - RPM

[FJSpringy]

rubber rubber rubber every time

i had an aftermarket one and it was sooooo noisy, went back to the rubber Yamaha one and the world is wonderful 

[jscgdunn]

rubber rubber rubber every time

i had an aftermarket one and it was sooooo noisy, went back to the rubber Yamaha one and the world is wonderful 

So did the chain stretch or did the sprockets wear (alot!)?