Lighter Flywheel and 520 chain - Ducati.ms

breakdown · Jul 9th, 2008, 5:04 pm

What kind of performance gains can I expect with a lighter flywheel and a 520 chain/sprocket set up? I've never done those type of mods to any of my previous bikes so I'm curious as to what it's like.

Will it feel like I have more power? I'm looking for the bike to be more snappy, more responsive and, of course, to pop the front wheel up better.

freezer16801 · Jul 9th, 2008, 5:17 pm

I hope you have done exhaust/ecu/airbox mods? Mine became much more snappy after those mods. The bike became similar to my girlfriend when I make blonde jokes, snappy!

breakdown · Jul 9th, 2008, 5:20 pm

I'm doing the full Termi system before anything. I was just curious about the flywheel and 520 set up.

parkcrf · Jul 9th, 2008, 5:48 pm

I'll be doing this at the end of the month. 520 chain, 44T rear supersprox, and DP flywheel.

I'll post up results and impressions

frique · Jul 9th, 2008, 7:44 pm

Don`t know about the 520 chain swap but do know about the lightened flywheel. I didn`t go the Nichols route but instead had the stock one machined down to about 1.8 lbs from about 4. The bike revs a little quicker, has more engine braking and is more flickable. A must do IMO.

breakdown · Jul 9th, 2008, 8:36 pm

That's good to know. I do a lot of work with a pretty good machine shop in town so I'll talk to them and see what they can do for me.

Does the bike seem like it has more power now?

frique · Jul 10th, 2008, 1:48 am

The flywheel didn`t do anything for power, just made it a little more fun to ride. The race exhaust, 11.25 to 1 h/c pistons, head work, race cams and ecu along with pcIII and custom map gave it more power. Just under 100hp at the wheel. Not that impressive of a number I know but the bike plain rips. The tech that did the work said "that thing goes like a stuck pig" and it does!!!

breakdown · Jul 10th, 2008, 8:08 am

I'll definately be bugging you more in the future! I was planning those mods as well. I was going to do the Termi race exhaust first. After that, I was going to wait until I got a few thousand more kms on it then break into the engine. I'd like to swap in hi-comp pistons, race cams and get a porting job done.

I heard all those mods were good for over 100 rwhp. Maybe that number depends on the dyno that is used. Did you have numbers for stock and after all the mods? I'm hoping to gain at least 25% more rwhp than stock.

What else have you done to the bike?

**BillyD** · Jul 10th, 2008, 8:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by frique

The flywheel didn`t do anything for power, just made it a little more fun to ride. The race exhaust, 11.25 to 1 h/c pistons, head work, race cams and ecu along with pcIII and custom map gave it more power. Just under 100hp at the wheel. Not that impressive of a number I know but the bike plain rips. The tech that did the work said "that thing goes like a stuck pig" and it does!!!

Well, it certainly seems like frigue has done all the right things. Very nice.

And his comment about a lighten flywheel not adding power is spot on. A common misconception is that a lighter flywheel increases power. It doesn't; however, it certainly gives the seat-of-the-pants impression that it does. I have always been a big fan of lighter flywheels and have them in everything from my Ferrari to my Moto Guzzi.

I do not, however, have one in my HM and have resisted doing so simply because the road conditions in which I ride are often snotty from fog drip or otherwise slippery from tree debris or loose gravel from rock falls or road patching. In lower traction conditions, a heavier flywheel allows you to stay hooked up better (as any dirt biker who rides off-road knows).

With that said, an enticing combination would be a lighten flywheel with a slipper clutch. I believe johnchypermotard has such a set-up on a strong running bike. Perhaps he will weigh in on this discussion.

Hey, frique, perhaps we should take the 350s out and terrorize some locals. You going to Woodley Park in August? If so, we should do a ACH run and visit ProItalia afterwards on that Saturday.

Bill

frique · Jul 10th, 2008, 2:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyD

Well, it certainly seems like frigue has done all the right things. Very nice.

And his comment about a lighten flywheel not adding power is spot on. A common misconception is that a lighter flywheel increases power. It doesn't; however, it certainly gives the seat-of-the-pants impression that it does. I have always been a big fan of lighter flywheels and have them in everything from my Ferrari to my Moto Guzzi.

I do not, however, have one in my HM and have resisted doing so simply because the road conditions in which I ride are often snotty from fog drip or otherwise slippery from tree debris or loose gravel from rock falls or road patching. In lower traction conditions, a heavier flywheel allows you to stay hooked up better (as any dirt biker who rides off-road knows).

With that said, an enticing combination would be a lighten flywheel with a slipper clutch. I believe johnchypermotard has such a set-up on a strong running bike. Perhaps he will weigh in on this discussion.

Hey, frique, perhaps we should take the 350s out and terrorize some locals. You going to Woodley Park in August? If so, we should do a ACH run and visit ProItalia afterwards on that Saturday.

Bill

Funny that you say that. I just put the DP slipper on the other day. Havn`t had a chance to ride it yet installed. It`s been so hot and smokey from all the fires for the last 2 weeks. 110f yesterday and you cough as soon as you go outside, No fun at all. Thanks for that offer Billy. I don`t think the RZ will be completed by then. I took my cream puff RZ350 and started modding it heavily. Probably shouldn`t have since nice ones are getting scarce. Scott Clough is doing the motor and a 95` TZR SPR complete front end and swingarm is being coverted to fit. All stock body work will be kept. A 280lb 80hp screaming smoker that handles too!

I saw the pic of your RD350. Wow! Now that`s a cream puff