Sprocket Cover Inspiration

ninjakuma · July 14th, 2014, 07:21 PM

Why you should open up that front sprocket cover every now and then when you clean and lube your chain! This thing probably hadn't been opened up at all before I got the bike.

That gunk in there is so thick I had to use a knife to scrape it off. It would deposit sludge back onto the chain after cleaning it as the chain was ribbing right on through it.

Also the sprocket after cleaning was shiny silver and squeaky clean.

Ramifications? HORSEPOWER BABY! It's a totally different beast now. You would be surprised how much that can affect performance. I could only reach about 87 mph tucked in and maxed out rpm 5th to 6th, now I got to 90 without even trying and accelerate up big hills in 6th no problem.

Alex · July 25th, 2014, 11:53 PM

NevadaWolf · July 26th, 2014, 06:10 AM

Bah, that's nothing. Mine was so gunked up the first time I removed it, it was basically glued on. Took a lot of work to pry that sucker off.

M42 · July 26th, 2014, 08:16 AM

Haha, oh man. I just did that last week, for probably the first time in the bike's life. It had a chunk so big, the only place there wasn't grease was directly where the chain travelled.

Felt really good to clean that up.

capt_bugaloo · July 26th, 2014, 07:48 PM

I don't really get how cleaning your chain would give you an extra 3 MPH. Would a build-up of grime really impact your top speed?

ninjakuma · July 27th, 2014, 01:41 PM

Well when the little ninja is trying to squeeze every last horse power out of its engine at speed, every little bit helps a lot. Friction is pretty powerful, powerful enough to stop your bike with a little post it sized brake. The same reason tucking down makes a huge difference due to air resistance. I'm sure the difference would feel negligible on a larger displacement motorcycle. Moving your limbs as fast as you can through water sure sucks compared to air doesn't it? :P

July 14th, 2014, 07:21 PM	#1
ninjakuma Stunts Extraodinar Name: Ninjakuma Location: Los Angeles Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Ninja 250 Posts: 74	Sprocket Cover Inspiration Why you should open up that front sprocket cover every now and then when you clean and lube your chain! This thing probably hadn't been opened up at all before I got the bike. That gunk in there is so thick I had to use a knife to scrape it off. It would deposit sludge back onto the chain after cleaning it as the chain was ribbing right on through it. Also the sprocket after cleaning was shiny silver and squeaky clean. Ramifications? HORSEPOWER BABY! It's a totally different beast now. You would be surprised how much that can affect performance. I could only reach about 87 mph tucked in and maxed out rpm 5th to 6th, now I got to 90 without even trying and accelerate up big hills in 6th no problem.
	3 out of 3 members found this post helpful.

July 25th, 2014, 11:53 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	__________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

July 26th, 2014, 06:10 AM	#3
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Bah, that's nothing. Mine was so gunked up the first time I removed it, it was basically glued on. Took a lot of work to pry that sucker off. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

July 26th, 2014, 07:48 PM	#5
capt_bugaloo motorcycle rider Name: Bruce Location: Victoria, BC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.	I don't really get how cleaning your chain would give you an extra 3 MPH. Would a build-up of grime really impact your top speed? __________________________________________________ '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver)

July 27th, 2014, 01:41 PM	#6
ninjakuma Stunts Extraodinar Name: Ninjakuma Location: Los Angeles Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Ninja 250 Posts: 74	Well when the little ninja is trying to squeeze every last horse power out of its engine at speed, every little bit helps a lot. Friction is pretty powerful, powerful enough to stop your bike with a little post it sized brake. The same reason tucking down makes a huge difference due to air resistance. I'm sure the difference would feel negligible on a larger displacement motorcycle. Moving your limbs as fast as you can through water sure sucks compared to air doesn't it? :P __________________________________________________ Will backflip for tips

July 26th, 2014, 08:16 AM	#4
M42 Wrench wench Name: The Stigette Location: DC/MD/VA Join Date: Jun 2014 Motorcycle(s): TWO HUNDRED FORTY EIGHT CUBIC CENTIMETERS (R.I.P.), SIX HUNDRED FORTY FIVE CUBIC CENTIMETERS Posts: 415	Haha, oh man. I just did that last week, for probably the first time in the bike's life. It had a chunk so big, the only place there wasn't grease was directly where the chain travelled. Felt really good to clean that up.

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