Gearing opinions for 520 Chain Conversion

01a4man · Nov 1, 2012

Hello everyone,

First post and already looking for opinions. Getting ready to order a 520 Chain Conversion and wanted to know if anyone has already done it. If so, what gearing did you select, how do you like it and do you wish you would've gone with a different gearing? Thank you in advance for any information you can provide me.

I believe stock gearing is 15/39

Chris

Trauma · Nov 1, 2012

i just installed the AFAM alloy system and 520 chain. After reading several posts on it, I chose 14 tooth. I am rarely on track, and this was a better "around town" ratio. I lost some top end, but not planning on spending much time in the 180's anyway!

MacaveliMC · Nov 1, 2012

Why do a 520 conversion? Is the stock chain not good enough for around town?

Cloner · Nov 1, 2012

MacaveliMC said:
Why do a 520 conversion? Is the stock chain not good enough for around town?

Just what I ws thinking. Why risk breaking a chain on a 195 hp bit of machinery? Wonder what a new Panigale crankcase costs when you break it with a flailing or wadded chain?

Racing? Absolutely, as there is a significant weight savings involved (my racer runs a 428 chain on custom sprockets) and they receive more regular maintenance under closer scrutiny (at least on my bikes).

530 chain is about 25% stronger than 520 if memory serves correctly.

Trauma · Nov 1, 2012

It is the gearing with a 14 tooth that improves sub 50 mph riding. I have a lot of 30,35, and 40 speed limits where I ride. It is nearly impossible to go 35 on this bike. It, like me, has a "need for speed"! The AFAM quick change is a lighter, slicker system the stock.

Trauma · Nov 1, 2012

I hardly think the DID ERV3 chain will break, it's rated at over 4 tons of tensile strength.

MacaveliMC · Nov 1, 2012

Trauma said:
I hardly think the DID ERV3 chain will break, it's rated at over 4 tons of tensile strength.

Actually I hear that the DucatiCorsa faring decal brings the engine power to just over 4 tons per tinsile soooooo, don't wanna say I told ya so.....

just don't get that decal I guess.

tholstro · Nov 1, 2012

I dropped a tooth up front as I do all my bikes... Best seat of the pants performance super cheap mod one can do. My MultiStrada can't keep the front wheel down and now the Pani has the same wonderful problem!

I take that back... Sticker / decals are the cheapest performance enhancements!!!

jarelj · Nov 1, 2012

I'm running the AFAM 520 quick-change setup with 15/41 for the track, and it's pretty good for medium speed tracks. I'll probably go back to a 39t rear if I go to a long track like Road America or Miller next year. For a shorter track, I might try 14/41 ,that's what I used to run on my 848 race bike but that revved slightly higher than the Panigale so might be too short, maybe 14/39, we'll see.

Trauma · Nov 1, 2012

tholstro said:
I dropped a tooth up front as I do all my bikes... Best seat of the pants performance super cheap mod one can do. My MultiStrada can't keep the front wheel down and now the Pani has the same wonderful problem!

I take that back... Sticker / decals are the cheapest performance enhancements!!!

Yea, I'm thinking of putting a "Turbo" sticker under my Pannigale one, I figure its good for another 50hp

Cloner · Nov 2, 2012

It's your bike. Do what ya gadda. My Pani seems to do fine in 35 mph zones with stock gearing, but I certainly understand the allure of shorter gearing for an underpowered, overgeared bike like this. OK....maybe just overgeared. 8)

Trauma · Nov 2, 2012

Cloner said:
It's your bike. Do what ya gadda. My Pani seems to do fine in 35 mph zones with stock gearing, but I certainly understand the allure of shorter gearing for an underpowered, overgeared bike like this. OK....maybe just overgeared. 8)

i only did it because of all the postings saying it ran better. Some that do that to every Ducati
they have owned. Coming from a K1300S, I realize this bike will never be as easy to ride around town, but that's not why I bought it! I can always go back to a 15. But I like that the whole drive train is lighted up a bit. I did my first commute on it today, 39 degrees!

Brickcues · Nov 2, 2012

Trauma said:
It is the gearing with a 14 tooth that improves sub 50 mph riding. I have a lot of 30,35, and 40 speed limits where I ride. It is nearly impossible to go 35 on this bike. It, like me, has a "need for speed"! The AFAM quick change is a lighter, slicker system the stock.

Wow, I have no problem at all at those speeds or even down to 15 mph. I run all the time at 45 mph in 5th gear at around 3k rpm. Just as smooth and no hint of lugging.

Also looked at DID charts and 520 chain not recommended for anything over 750 cc. I think I will follow what the maker recommends. I guess it would work if you keep it in Wet mode as it is only rated at 120 hp as I believe this is all the hp the 520 chain is recommended for.

Just my 2 cents.

Trauma · Nov 2, 2012

Brickcues said:
Wow, I have no problem at all at those speeds or even down to 15 mph. I run all the time at 45 mph in 5th gear at around 3k rpm. Just as smooth and no hint of lugging.

Also looked at DID charts and 520 chain not recommended for anything over 750 cc. I think I will follow what the maker recommends. I guess it would work if you keep it in Wet mode as it is only rated at 120 hp as I believe this is all the hp the 520 chain is recommended for.

Just my 2 cents.

Yup, I know DID recommends 750 for this chain, but I did a lot of research before going this way. I found several examples of 1000 cc plus bikes using it with no issues. Same goes for 14 tooth and quick change (10 min) sprocket carriers. And a buddy that has been tracking his 1000RR for a couple of years with no issues either. Wet mode, whats that?

zvez · Nov 2, 2012

the 520 conversion I know it's very popular and of course all the race teams "do it" but I just don't understand the attraction. Granted you lose rotating mass weight (tho small amount).

On the ape forum we actually had a guy do a weight comparo between 525 and 520 sprockets and chain after he did the mod, as I recall it was maybe a pound and half savings. Just seems like a lot of extra expense for very little realized benefit.

The 14tooth mod is very popular, you might consider getting on of the case savers, as lot out there about this being a pretty tight radius for the chain to negotiate. just a bit of insurance in case the chain ever were to brake,

You can get the case saver at Desmo Times LLC - The Home of DIY Ducati Maintenance Parts and Accessories

As with all mods people do tho, to each their own.

Trauma said:
Yup, I know DID recommends 750 for this chain, but I did a lot of research before going this way. I found several examples of 1000 cc plus bikes using it with no issues. Same goes for 14 tooth and quick change (10 min) sprocket carriers. And a buddy that has been tracking his 1000RR for a couple of years with no issues either. Wet mode, whats that?

Trauma · Nov 2, 2012

Thanks for the case save suggestion, Motowheels has them as well. As for weight, I also replaced the flange and nuts with titanium, so rotating-wise, altogether quite a savings. I wanted to reduce weight without going the BST route.

d1098man · Nov 2, 2012

Its funny how DID recommends 750cc n down for 520 gearing but Motogp has been using 520 size for years now on those overpowered machines lol

Venomous · Nov 2, 2012

Cloner said:
Just what I ws thinking. Why risk breaking a chain on a 195 hp bit of machinery? Wonder what a new Panigale crankcase costs when you break it with a flailing or wadded chain?

Racing? Absolutely, as there is a significant weight savings involved (my racer runs a 428 chain on custom sprockets) and they receive more regular maintenance under closer scrutiny (at least on my bikes).

530 chain is about 25% stronger than 520 if memory serves correctly.

I think the Pani comes standard with a 525 chain

Kam · Nov 2, 2012

Venomous said:
I think the Pani comes standard with a 525 chain

Correct, I'm in two minds whether to change mine for a 520 set up but either way I'll be getting a gold DID chain because they look nice

zvez · Nov 2, 2012

hmmmmmmmm and would you change your 520 chain as often as teh gp teams do? I'm guessing every race?

d1098man said:
Its funny how DID recommends 750cc n down for 520 gearing but Motogp has been using 520 size for years now on those overpowered machines lol

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