Thanks to everyone in advance for any help! I am looking to increase the gear ratio on my 2001 916 S4 as I mostly do city riding/commuting in hideous traffic. It’s not much fun riding the clutch so much as the bike doesn’t like the low speed. I would like to increase the gear ratio (I need to check my sprockets but assume the standard fitted is 15/37?) and not worried about losing any top end speed as rarely get any open road. What is the highest ratio I can get, and what would you recommend? Is a 13/47 possible and where can I get the parts from? What would the chain length need to be? Cheers all!
Thanks to everyone in advance for any help! I am looking to increase the gear ratio on my 2001 916 S4 as I mostly do city riding/commuting in hideous traffic. It’s not much fun riding the clutch so much as the bike doesn’t like the low speed. I would like to increase the gear ratio (I need to check my sprockets but assume the standard fitted is 15/37?) and not worried about losing any top end speed as rarely get any open road. What is the highest ratio I can get, and what would you recommend? Is a 13/47 possible and where can I get the parts from? What would the chain length need to be? Cheers all!
Gareth, read this http://www.ducati-upnorth.com/tech/gearing.php and then look at this http://www.gearingcommander.com/. Don't go below 14t on the front and much over 42 on the rear and you may find the bike is rather too easy to lift the front. 13-47 would be risky and I suspect unusable if the sprockets were available
Do you know what size your sprockets are. I had an S4 and did many miles on it. I used it for a 50 mile each way commute daily and didn't experience what you describe I certainly didn't have to ride the clutch in town. Mine was on standard gearing The cheaper option is to reduce front sprocket size but the better option for chain life is increase the rear I would wait till you need new chain and sprockets. Even if you can get a 13 I really wouldn't do that
Thanks Denzil and Higgy. Sounds like I should just try a 14T on the front in the first instance. Actually I think the Bike needs some work as it sounded like a washing machine full of spanners. I know the dry clutches are noisy but this must be something else. Very rough tickover, painful to ride slowly, power a bit grabby when riding constant speed. All part of the Ducati charm and character I guess ;-) but the bloody thing wouldn’t start this morning.....cheer again fellas
A common fault on the S4 was the horizontal cylinder coil/spark plug cap breaking down due to corrosion. They either stop working altogether or work intermittently When mine gave out it wouldn't work at low revs but chimed in when I was eager with the throttle
Cheers. Plan to test spark/plugs this eve if i can.... need to get more tools since moving out here, not easy to even do the basics. Seems odd. Ever had issues firing up before....
If you are replacing the chain/sprockets completely then stick with a 15t front and fit a larger rear - 39t or 41t. I run a 15/39 on a 916 (was 15/36) and find it perfect, I did try a 41t rear but it was too buzzy for the 916, although it might suit an S4? Fitting a 14t is obviously easier and cheaper as you won't need a new chain so is a good option if you don't want/need to replace the chain but a smaller front sprocket puts more tension and wear through the drive train.
Standard rear, -1 front is easiest option and solves most low speed running problems. Being a monster, it’s unlikely you will notice the loss in top end
Cheers everyone. 14T ordered and in the post. Will provide update when switched..... As for the poor running, anything obvious I should do/check? Valve clearances/timing, belt adjustment etc it just seems noisy and rough like an old lawnmower at present..... Cheers again
Cheers everyone. 14T ordered and in the post. Will provide update when switched..... As for the poor running, anything obvious I should do/check? Valve clearances/timing, belt adjustment etc it just seems noisy and rough like an old lawnmower at present..... Cheers again
They are supposed to sound like that , clutch bearing can add to dry clutch noise, valve adjustment could add to lumpy running, Start off with cheaper stuff though such as carb balance (assuming it’s a carby), new plugs if they’ve done a high mileage, have a listen to a similar bike first though, I don’t know if you’re used to Ducati’s but they certainly sound rougher than jap bikes!, also listen to the engine on tickover with the clutch held in, its amazing how much mechanical noise dry clutches generate!. Edit, just noticed it’s a 2001 S4, not a carburation issue then
