16/44 = new chain?

[Dr. Zaius]

If I go to a 44T rear from the 42T, do I need do get a 110 link chain? I'm getting conflicting answers on this. AF1 has a supersprox 44T on order for me, and I might consider a 43, or perhaps a 15 front if I'd be needing to buy a new chain with the 44.

[BikerBrit]

It's tight, but it helps if you reverse the adjusting blocks on the rear axle. Works fine for me with the 16/44 supersprox.

[CBar]

Your axle will be all the way forward!

[Dr. Zaius]

So 15/42 or wait for 16/44?

[Mac of Duart]

If your axle goes all the way forward, it shortens your wheelbase, which to my mind, makes your bike steer faster and, in the extreme, become twitchy...

I'd go for a 110 chain..... I buy my chains too long and reduce them to size as needed.. Sometimes it's cheaper to get a 525 114 link and cut it, with a chain splitter, (£50 well spent for a life long tool), instead of a 108...just because there may be more choice.

Mac

[styx]

I went from standard to 16/44 with 4,000 miles on the chain; this was just enough wear to allow fitment of the sprockets with the adjusters correctly fitted. I'm considering replacing my sprockets and chain soon, in which case 110 links are required but after a few K miles I think a link will need removing otherwise the axle will end up too far back to keep the 110 linker properly tensioned.

[CBar]

If your axle goes all the way forward, it shortens your wheelbase, which to my mind, makes your bike steer faster and, in the extreme, become twitchy...

I'd go for a 110 chain..... I buy my chains too long and reduce them to size as needed.. Sometimes it's cheaper to get a 525 114 link and cut it, with a chain splitter, (£50 well spent for a life long tool), instead of a 108...just because there may be more choice.

Mac

I agree with this. I did a 16/44 when I first started playing with gearing because that is what everyone recommended. I used the stock length chain because it was already new. I thought I could tell a difference with the shorter wheelbase, but it was probably just mental. I ended up changing to 15/42. It is cheaper to buy a front sprocket than a rear sprocket anyway.

Sometimes I run a 15/44. That is fun!

[KANE]

I ran 16/44 with no issues and still do. When the chain is new the adjuster block need to be spun around 180 degrees so the round end is facing the adjuster bolts.

[Dr. Zaius]

I ended up ordering a 15, and I've had installed for a couple weeks now. I had a few short rides, and everything seemed nice, but yesterday I got a few hours of riding in, and I'm hooked! Start up is smoother in 1st, 2nd is much more usable around town and actually all the gears seem more useable. Cruising in 5th and 6th is finnally possible at semi-legal speeds too! I'm sure that 15/42 is pretty close to 16/44, and I don't know why Aprilia would have decided on 16/42 and especially 17/42 for stock gearing. To all with stock gearing: Try out a 15 front, you'll be pleased! Oh, MPG is 32 for the last two tanks. Not really much different from before.

This bike ROCKS!

Oh, the Sargent seat I got for $252 (no S/H) was a great improvement as well! Here's the link to the last one left on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-S...Q5fAccessories

Doesn't come with the rear cover, and I'd like to get my hands on one if anybody's selling...