Converting the Grom to 428 Chain and 14T Sprocket Setup | 2023 Grom Build Part 11

I've always heard that a 14T front sprocket on a Honda Grom actually let's it hit a higher top speed, despite conventional wisdom. So we're trying it and going to a 14T front, 38T rear, and doing to 428 pitch sealed chain instead of the stock 420 plain chain.
Oh, and it's gold! I can't help it. I might have a problem.
Sprocket Center Kit: sprocketcenter.com/i-30500259...
(14T superlite front, 38T superlite rear, DID428VX chain, and M10 nuts)
Motion Pro Master Link Pliers: amzn.to/42ppJoC
Motion Pro Mini Chain Press tool: amzn.to/3C9D9uf
(Note: As an Amazon associate I may earn on qualifying purchases at the links above)

[@Tr3nt9_]

🤘🤘 great video

[@thepab3072]

420 oem chain stretches out completely within the first year of riding. On my first Grom I had to adjust it every week. Got a better 420 chain the year after, it was night and day. 428 is overkill but worth to do, less adjustments and it will last longer. Looks better too 😊 That gold will look perfect on my 2024 SP that I'll get this spring. Can't wait to ride a Grom again, it's one of these bikes that you crave riding. Going to swap to 428 right away when I get my Grom at the same time I'll add TST industries chain adjusters. Thanks for the video and the link to where you got the parts 👍

[@Jaredbar]

What brand did you go with? I just did one of the Amazon specials “niche”

[@unitedstatessc]

Dude, hype for the video. Love your turn signal mod, resisting with all my heart from copying it. If that company had break ones for the rear I'll cave in a heartbeat.

[@SpencerDesmarais]

Thanks! Definitely copy the turn signals, imitation is the most sincere form of flattery haha. I'm not sure you can find the engraved yoshi plates anymore, though, I think I may have snagged one of the last sets out there. Sneak peak at the rear turn signals I picked up: www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9BW8MWN They have a bit of a unique shape that I think will be cool. No integrated brake light into them, but that's OK with me.

[@TrevisSpease]

They have restocked the Toshiba plates! Hope the build is going good just picked up a 2024 grom myself on Monday!

[@TrevisSpease]

Don’t know why it corrected yoshi to Toshiba but yeah, they have been restocked!

[@ss_whole]

Thank God our Groms have a cush drive to dampen that massive amount of torque the 125 puts out.

[@SpencerDesmarais]

😂

[@stevenmichaelis]

Spencer. Thanks for sharing your videos. It has been a year since this video, and I would love to hear your thoughts now. Are you still happy with the 428 conversion? When you need to replace your chain do you think you will you keep it, or will you go back to a 420, or maybe a non-x-ring chain?? I am planning on some long distance trips on my Grom and trying to sort out a few details that will help with power in the mountains and not kill fuel economy. Thanks for your thoughts!

[@SpencerDesmarais]

I'm still happy with it! Still glad I went to a chain with rings for less maintenance, o, x, whichever. With 428 and 420 x-ring chains essentially being the same cost, I have no regrets going 428.

[@user-pz6go8hr5y]

Did you go longer on the chain as well or no

[@user-pz6go8hr5y]

Hey bro I went went the same setup but 2 extra links on the chain and 37t sprocket and it’s not fitting right and rolling right

[@user-po9tv4nq9x]

14 t 428 es el piñón de arrastre y que número pones al plato deja los mismo dientes o lo baja para mas velocidad??

[@mr.somebody1493]

Kudos for going 428, Mine is still sitting in the box, I have a 420 to wear out first. ....Let me know how you like it.

[@SpencerDesmarais]

I couldn't resist slapping it on haha. I can keep the stocker as a spare though, it was definitely a non-destructive removal. Still haven't had a chance to ride it! It was storming the rest of the day I filmed (Sunday) and it's been too cold to commute on the Grom this week. Been using the F800GS instead because heated seat and grips. I'm confident I'll get out on it this weekend and get the 14T vs 15T filmed, though! Should be 50's and cloudy but hopefully no rain.

[@mr.somebody1493]

@@SpencerDesmarais I put my new 420 X-Ring about a month ago. It took me 4 hours to clean all the schmutz off the case, chain guard, and swing arm and sprockets. after 9000+ miles.

[@SpencerDesmarais]

@@mr.somebody1493 It’s amazing how much that crap packs down into just a thick nasty tar. 4 hours sounds about right haha

[@mr.somebody1493]

@@SpencerDesmarais The mess left on the table under my bike was incredible. almost as bad as cleaning out a lawnmower deck. 😀

[@user-po9tv4nq9x]

Buenas ro plató que es de 28 diente y el piñón 14 va mejor hacin ?

[@LILMADERR23]

What are the advantages the after-market adjusters? Does it just replace the lock nut?

[@SpencerDesmarais]

The stock ones are a pain to re-align and get all finagled together when you’re pulling the rear wheel. They also aren’t the most robust and it’s pretty easy to bend them when adjusting if you aren’t being extra careful. Just a beefier part overall.

[@2gd532]

Suck’s everything is sold out 😢. My stock chain is stretched and not much more adjustment. Could I remove a link or two until they get them back in stock?

[@SpencerDesmarais]

I would definitely not recommend just shortening your existing chain. If nothing else just get a cheapo 420 chain until things come back in stock, Amazon has a plain jane RK 420 chain for like $16.

[@MrJhobert]

Hello, i went with the same configuration, but after installing everything ive been having noise, somewhat grinding by the front sprocket area when coasting and on 2nd to the 5th gear. Any opinion and advise what might be causing the noise?

[@SpencerDesmarais]

Sorry to hear that! Are the sprockets installed the correct side facing out? Chain tension correct? Sprocket keeper plate installed on there correctly? If it were me I’d be taking the cover off and seeing if I could see where the grinding was coming from. Possibly even jacking up the back wheel and giving it a spin while watching/listening. Good luck!

[@MrJhobert]

Actually i took it to a motorcycle shop and have them install it for me. Ill go open the case and see whats going on. Thanks for the advise

[@danmartin6248]

Did you and the shop figure it out? I have same configuration and clipping noise.

[@iitzsisco]

Yo was your front sprocket still a little wiggly when tightened?

[@SpencerDesmarais]

Yup, it moves a little, nothing to worry about. The plate keeps it locked on the shaft but the play lets it self-align a little.

[@Reubenn1]

Does this mean now that your top end speed will increase, will your speed low in the gears decrease the torque & speed ?

[@mr.somebody1493]

You will see an increase in top end speed if you are a heavy rider, Since the bike is only 125cc a heavy rider has trouble reaching max rpms with the stock gearing in 5th gear . However the actual speed capability of the bike alone will not increase. . The 14 tooth will also give you more low end torque making the bike accelerate quicker. The 14 tooth sprocket also helps you climb hills and fight headwinds.

[@SpencerDesmarais]

Fingers crossed top speed inceases! Going into 5th gear the rev's are so low the engine just lugs along, and doesn't let you accelerate much more. The thought with dropping a tooth is that your rpm at that speed will be a bit higher, getting you into the power band a bit more, and enabling you to keep accelerating rather than running out of umph in 5th as quickly. Definitely backasswords from the way most powerful bikes work, where you go down teeth to increase acceleration but lose top speed and up teeth to get more top speed and lose acceleration in the process. I should gain speed and acceleration in the lower gears, too. Fingers crossed I can test the new setup this weekend. Also, good to hear from you, Reuben!

[@mr.somebody1493]

@@SpencerDesmarais You'll probably find that your gas mileage also increases, because it is a fuel injected bike the 14 tooth sprocket will allow you to back off the throttle a bit. Throttle position won't be wide open and doing nothin nearly as much as it was with the 15 tooth sprocket. This makes the bike more efficient overall, especially with a heavy rider, hills or wind. A light rider may find no benefit.

[@Reubenn1]

@@SpencerDesmaraisDR GROM YOU HAVE AMAZED YET AGAIN !!

[@besticandogolf5901]

Just ordered a 428 kit for my ‘23 as well from Sprocket Center after chatting with them. He said even on a stock grom it’s worth the upgrade. I also went 14T/38T. How do you like it now that you’ve ridden it?

[@SpencerDesmarais]

I'm still loving it! So much quieter than the stock chain and sprocket setup. I just replaced my rearsets, too, so you actually see a bit more of the gold chain and it's looking real good.

[@besticandogolf5901]

⁠@@SpencerDesmarais I just noticed that the rear sprocket recess faces outward. But you have the front sprocket recessed side facing inwards. How do you know the orientation for that one?

[@SpencerDesmarais]

@@besticandogolf5901 Writing towards the outside! Good question.

[@besticandogolf5901]

@@SpencerDesmarais I’m glad I rewatched this video last night. I was about 80% completed on switching a handful of things over and it would have been a PITA to get it all dialed in only to see I had installed the front sprocket backwards lol.

[@besticandogolf5901]

@@SpencerDesmarais one last probably dumb question; after you did this, when you have the rear lifted and are spinning the wheel for a function test - does your chain ride a bit on the top chain pad? My chain is tensioned to spec and doesn’t touch the bottom pad. But the top guide/pad definitely makes contact with the chain as it rides on it. Thanks.

[@elsajaned.villacorta541]

where can i buy that xring chain? any link?

[@SpencerDesmarais]

sprocketcenter.com/i-30500321-did-chain-428-vx-xring-chain-gold-choose-length.html sprocket center is where I got mine, but there pretty available all over online. Search "DID 428VX chain" and you'll get tons of options. Link to the full kit I got is in the video description, too!

[@Kradle]

Silly question but can I bump to a 428 without swapping the sprockets?

[@SpencerDesmarais]

Nah, they need to be matched widths. It’ll be way too sloppy side to side on a 420 sprocket.

[@Kradle]

@@SpencerDesmarais Makes sense. I think I'm gonna pick up a DID 420 non-oring for now! Thanks

[@igor1467]

It seems like you doing backwards ;o) Moto3 bikes with 60HP are using smaller and lighter 415 chain then your grom. 428 seems like an overkill for 10hp bike. I would also check gps speed for top speed as your speedo will be off, subjectively showing higher speed numbers. With 14T you may gain on acceleration but for top speed i think lower resistance, stock size 15T will be a better option, Enjoy your 5th gear!

[@SpencerDesmarais]

Hi Igor, 428 is overkill in the strength department, but the benefits of a sealed x-ring chain over the stock non-sealed chain is a no-brainer in terms of chain longevity and sealed 428s are easier to find and more common than sealed 420's. Plus i like the look of the wider chain ;) I've already fixed my speedo, I have another video about that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZS3i4Otmdqhr9U . And normally you're right, higher tooth would *USUALLY* result in a higher top speed, but with the low power of these engines and the peaky hp curve, a 14t simply puts 5th gear higher into the powerband and let's it rev out higher than the 15t does. I know it sounds backwards, but for these bikes its the gospel, the stock 15t just hits a power limited wall in 5th. Thanks for stopping by 👍