Sprockets and shocks

**Jiffer** · 02 May 08, 12:23 PM

Hi! First post here, so here goes!

A week or so ago I grabbed a GT1000 and have been/am very impressed with it. (Couldn't find a word said against them online!) The 'retro' setup and look is very good for me (my 'sportsbike' days are long gone) and the handling/top speed/acceleration/comfort are going to be just fine, but two things spring immediately to mind:

The gears are tall (very) compared to what I have been used to and a smaller front sprocket seems like a good idea. I notice here that it's been done, so I would like to ask anyone who's done it if they would recommend it or does the idea of a larger rear make more sense?

Also, the back end looks a little OTT (although the bike is comfortable) - has anyone contemplated shorter shocks?

I can (and probably will) get used to both and wouldn't go for any mods just yet - iffy weather since I got it means I'm only a couple of hundred miles in so far and I wouldn't want to jump too soon!

TIA!

K · 02 May 08, 12:41 PM

Bigger sprocket on the back will have to be 3 teeth to equate to 1 on the front and will probably need longer chain too. So I would go with the 1 tooth smaller on the front.

Putting shorter shocks on the back will effectively lower the rear ride hight making it turn in slower so I wouldn't do it.

**Jiffer** · 02 May 08, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K

Bigger sprocket on the back will have to be 3 teeth to equate to 1 on the front and will probably need longer chain too. So I would go with the 1 tooth smaller on the front.

Putting shorter shocks on the back will effectively lower the rear ride hight making it turn in slower so I wouldn't do it.

Thanks for your response, K - I was kinda hoping to hear from someone who'd done it as there doesn't look like there's a lot of room between the chain and the top of the swingarm for a start! If I did alter the sprockets (probably not going to anyway) I favour a larger rear sprocket so's to relieve stress on the chain, but there ya go! (Academic, if it meant a new chain I guess!)

As regards 'turn in' - with a 19 inch front wheel on my other bike, I doubt I would find the GT slow even with a shorter rear shock! Thanks anyway!

**triumph5ta** · 06 May 08, 08:38 AM

A work colleague has a GT1000, he has had shorter shocks fitted to lower the seat height. They are Hagons I believe.
He is very pleased with it now, just needed to get rid of the "on tiptoes" feel when stopped. He is a bit short in the leg dept.
Bear in mind you will need to get the side stand shortened or the bike will not lean over enough. Ducati Aylesbury fitted the shocks for him, they cut about half an inch out of the side stand and welded it back together.
Adam.

**Jiffer** · 16 May 08, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triumph5ta

A work colleague has a GT1000, he has had shorter shocks fitted to lower the seat height. They are Hagons I believe.
He is very pleased with it now, just needed to get rid of the "on tiptoes" feel when stopped. He is a bit short in the leg dept.
Bear in mind you will need to get the side stand shortened or the bike will not lean over enough. Ducati Aylesbury fitted the shocks for him, they cut about half an inch out of the side stand and welded it back together.
Adam.

Thank you for the response Adam - I've been on to Hagon but they don't have a 'standard replacement' and want me to send one of mine to match up!!

Any chance you could ask your colleague what model it was he's got? It would give me/Hagon a start point for fittings/size &c.

(Can't see why you would have to shorten the sidestand though - or am I being a bit thick?)

Anyhoo, I'm not too worried about seat height as such, I would just like to get a bit of weight off my wrists!

**Jiffer** · 17 May 08, 02:22 PM

Alternatively, does anyone know if the rear suspension fitment is identical on both the '06 and '07 GT1000 models? Apparently Hagon have recently supplied a pair of 40mm shorter rear shocks for an '07 'bike but they don't know about suitability for the '06 model - which would be ideal for me!

(I have emailed Ducati UK and am awaiting a reply!)

**nodbal** · 17 May 08, 06:38 PM

hi jiffer
I`ve got a sport 1000 biposto....same engine, clip ons instead of handlebars.

I went from a 15 tooth front sprocket to a 14 tooth last year. made a world of difference to the engine `grunt`...far more pull in all gears......but it made the ride a bit rough. keeping the same chain changed the geometry.

i`ve just changed the rear sprocket to a 42 tooth. this has smoothed things out no end. much better turning into corners.....use gears 4,5&6...but limited pull in 1st.

regarding suspension...i think our bikes share the marzzochi forks....they are not good, i am changing the springs. the rear shocks on the GT are non-adjustable, the shocks on the sport 1000 are adjustable Sachs. I think (not sure) but these are inter-changeable

**Jiffer** · 18 May 08, 02:31 PM

Hi Nod,

I'm with you on the larger rear sprocket - seems a better solution than a smaller front! But I'm not so bothered about the gears atm as the length of the rear shocks.

It's not adjustment I'm seeking, but to actually drop the entire back end a tad and, hopefully, get a better riding position with less weight on my wrists! I don't think the Ducati adjustable, gas upgrade shocks are any shorter and so I'm looking into a pair of Hagon replacements right now. The nuisance is that it doesn't seem too easy to find the relevant information on the 'Net!

It sorts, I'll get there!

**triumph5ta** · 19 May 08, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiffer

(Can't see why you would have to shorten the sidestand though - or am I being a bit thick?)

Anyhoo, I'm not too worried about seat height as such, I would just like to get a bit of weight off my wrists!

If you fit shorter shocks then the bike's rear end will sit lower. The standard length stand will then be too long to allow the bike to lean over at the safe angle, it would then be easily knocked over...

You can buy slightly higher bars from Ducati. Also if you fit their touring screen it raises the handlebars by about half an inch.

Adam.

**Jiffer** · 19 May 08, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triumph5ta

If you fit shorter shocks then the bike's rear end will sit lower. The standard length stand will then be too long to allow the bike to lean over at the safe angle, it would then be easily knocked over...

You can buy slightly higher bars from Ducati. Also if you fit their touring screen it raises the handlebars by about half an inch.

Adam.

OK, Adam - thanks, I can see it now! I struggled with the 'geometry' of it for a while but I could see that even putting weight on the back end (reducing spring length) made the 'bike go upright - then I twigged that letting the back end down also lets the mounting for the sidestand go down at the same time!

Anyway, it all goes to reinforce my efforts to get used to it as is - which I am pleased to say is happening now! With a bit of luck I won't have to worry about it!