How To: Change Your Front Sprocket - with Pictures

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This was done to a 2006 Ducati SuperSport 800. Most new Ducatis come with 15 tooth (15T) front sprocket which are placed on the bike for emissions compliance.

A 14T front sprocket is only ~$30-$50 and provides you with more low-end torque, smoother low speed pulling (no more engine lugging when riding in parking lots), and does not require a new chain - the stock will work just fine.

The negatives are that your RPMs will go up slightly, and your top speed will drop slightly. If you're doing mostly street riding and stop-and-go commuting, the benefits far outweigh not being able to try to get to 130 MPH in heavy traffic.

Going down one tooth on the front sprocket is similar to going up about two teeth on the rear.

Your bike may vary somewhat - many bikes have a single nut in the center - but this is basically the procedure.

After finishing changing your sprocket, you must check your chain tension. Going down in the front will make your chain exceptionally loose.

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Step 1:

It's easiest to get to all these parts if you take off your rearsets and fairings. You might as well clean under those parts at this time, as well.

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Step 2:

Now you can get to the sprocket cover. On this application, it required a 5mm allen wrench.

There will be a good bit of grime under there. Clean it out with some of your favorite cleaner.

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Step 3:

Now unscrew the sprocket retainer. This required a 8mm wrench.

Twist the retainer until the holes line up with the gear and pull it off.

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Step 4:

On the Ducati Supersport, the clutch slave is in the way of the sprocket. I had to remove this using 5mm allen wrenches.

After unscrewing the three bolts, slide the clutch slave out enough that you have some room to remove the sprocket. There is no need to remove the clutch slave completely.

Be careful not to pull the clutch handle while the slave is out.

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Step 5:

Remove the sprocket and chain by firmly pulling on it. It should slide off the gear easily.

Clean the recess where the sprocket is located - there will probably be a lot of road grime in the hole.

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Step 6:

Remove the old sprocket and place the new one in the chain.

Align the sprocket with the gear assembly and slide it back in place.

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Step 7:

Place the retainer back on - there's a small groove on the gear that the retainer fits into where you can spin it into place.

Turn the retainer to line it up with the sprocket holes and put the bolts back in. Use a little bit of LockTite ($4 a tube at auto parts store) on the bolts to make sure they stay in.

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Step 8:

Now screw the sprocket cover back on, and put your rearsets and shift linkage screw back on the bike.

You'll have a good bit of slack in the chain now. You'll want to adjust your chain slack by moving the tire back. On the Ducati Supersport, it's about 3/4 of the way back on the adjusters to give it about an inch (22 mm) of slack.

After adjusting the wheel alignment, wax your chain and ride off with additional torque.

Be careful while you adjust to the new feeling your bike will give you!