Ducati 450 R/T Gearing

[Opentraffic]

Hello All.

Greetings from the UK as a new member to motoscrubs.

I've been pointed in the forums direction by Lacey Ducati. Thank you Nigel (the petrol taps turned up as promised this morning, spot on)

Ive recently purchased an RT and plan us on the road.

As i'm sure you are aware the std gearing is not ideally suited. Could anyone shed some light on recommended sprocket sizes?

I'd be keen to try and keep the rear sprocket as large as possible to retain the aesthetics of the bike. Also the 530 chain size.

Another question is a brake light switch.. How are these rigged up on the R/T's with light pack?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Have a great day

Pete

[Duccout]

Hi Pete and welcome,

It is many years since I had a 450, and others here will be able to advise you much better than I, but I don't think that you will be able to keep to your aesthetic when it comes to gearing, as the largest front sprocket that can be used is a 13t which means that if you wish to run a high enough gear ratio for comfortable road use you will have to come down in size on the rear sprocket.

Colin

[graeme]

Hello Pete,

I have a 34 tooth rear sprocket on my RT for road use.

I used a spring loaded pull type generic switch for the rear brake light.
This is hooked around the rear brake lever just below the brake cable attachment.
The other end of the spring is connected to the battery tray I made.

Graeme

[Opentraffic]

Hi Chaps,

Thank you for the welcome.

Very much looking forward to cruising around on the RT this summer. What a noise this thing makes

As i expected really with the sprocket sizes. @Graeme is there any issues with the chain coming into contact wit the swingarm/chain guide with the 34 tooth rear sprocket?

Nigel mentioned it is possible to fit a 14 tooth front sprocket to the wide case . possibly allowing to use a 40tooth rear.

Anyone know if a 14tooth front sprocket is available for purchase.

Cheers

Pete

[themoudie]

Aye Pete,

Welcome!

What a noise this thing makes

They don't make a "noise", they breath, maybe a little heavy breathing on the open road, but around town that'll just get the polis on yer back.

As for the 14 tooth sprocket, I used to run one with 530 chain and a 32 tooth rear sprocket on my 1974 450 MKIII in the 1970's, but it required the strengthening webs around the case to be reduced with a burr and for metal to be removed from the casting shield to the front of the sprocket and it is a tight fit. In hindsight the way to go was with a 428 chain and sprockets, as I have now fitted. This set up allows a far better range of gearing, has less inertia/wear on the sprockets than 530 chain and works well on a 450.

I might still have the 14 tooth tucked away, but I wouldn't hold your breath, or recommend fitting it.

Good health, Bill

[veloduke]

As Bill mentions, 428 chain is a possibility.
I went for 17/47, 428 chain on my RT450, and I'm happy with that.
I did buy a plastic swing arm protector off fleabay to stop the chain sawing through the frame, though.

IMG_0693 small.jpg

Thinking of selling it, by the way - have too many bikes.

PM if interested and I'll give the details (it doesn't have the Desmo engine).

[Eldert]

Hi Pete

14 tooth 530 sprockets are made by Italian company PBR . Stein-Dinse in Germany carries their products .

https://www.stein-dinse.biz/product_inf ... s_id=98188

i wanted to retain a big rear sprocket to . fitted a straight cut primairy gear with a 1 to 1.83 ratio instead of the
std 1 to 2.11 ratio . went to a 520 chain tho .

i welded a tiny bracket below the rearbrake cable holder and fitted a very small brakelight switch

restoration RT 002.JPG

PS if the rear looks a little funny you are correct . swingarm is made 5 cm longer and reardrum is a Yamaha SR250 item


Eldert

[Opentraffic]

Thanks again Chaps.

Eldert.. 520 might be perfect. where did you purchase your sprockets from?

If not 428 might be the way to go. Has there been any reports of issues with 428 chains strength wise?

Rear brake light. Ive found the switches that go in the brake lines. very simular to the 750 sport items and plan to go this route.

Cheers

Pete

[Eldert]

Hi Pete

front 520 sprocket you can narrow down a 530 to make it a 520 .

another option would be to use a 520 sprocket from a Honda CRF 150 and make the old sprocket into a spacer

rears i had laying around from visits to Italian swap meets .

520 conversion 001.JPG

Eldert

[Opentraffic]

Ahh right ok i had completely over looked that the 520 was a slimmer version of a 530.

428 is looking like the route.



Pete