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Overdrive sprockets
- Thread starter TGOOD
- Start date
Stock is 17/34 sprockets. I'm running 17/32. It did take some of the acceleration off the line. I'm not a small guy so it will not make as much difference on a smaller person. I also run the OD 5th gear for the higher speeds of the backroads and highways.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Maximum_Speed_Law
Above, is why these bikes were geared this way. I believe the manufacturers expected us to change the sprockets when the oil crisis was over and the speed limits were changed again.
Scott
Above, is why these bikes were geared this way. I believe the manufacturers expected us to change the sprockets when the oil crisis was over and the speed limits were changed again.
Scott
Uh, 'scuse me, Scott, but that ain't so. When the XS1 came out in 1970 (17/34 gearing, as on later models), the oil crisis and 55 mph speed limit weren't even anticipated. The OE XS650 gearing fell right between the final drive ratio of Triumph's 650 Bonneville (slightly higher than Yamaha) and single carb 650 Tiger (slightly lower). I don't know about Hondas, but Yamaha and Triumph gearing underwent no alteration when the speed law changed. We didn't fret so much about winding 'em up back in the day.
Hi TGOOD,
my thoughts?
Replace chain & both sprockets as a set so they'll wear in together and last longer.
Installing a ScottOiler will extend chain & sprocket life at least fourfold so long as you
don't forget to keep it's reservoir filled.
Stay with 530 chain size, 520 chain size's minimal cost & weight saving is balanced by it's lessened longevity so why bother?
Front sprocket:-
Stay with 17T. The 18T's bigger diameter limits you to running standard chain because O-ring & Heavy Duty chains' bigger
sideplates will chew notches in the shifter shaft
Rear sprocket:-
30T = 4-speed + overdrive.
32T = Highways + single rider.
33T = Highways + passenger.
34T (stock gearing) = highways & town + passenger.
36T (stock gearing on late model Specials) = town riding & sidecars
38T = 4-speed + underdrive.
.
10 plus years of having an xs650 and pretty much ran the gamut of sprockets. I'm back to stock gearing at 17/34. One up riding, some highways but lots of hills, hollers and twisties. If I was to roll on interstates I might consider the overdrive fifth gear. I've never buried the redline yet. 70 mph and still not nearing it is fine by me.
Hi nj.
OK, it seems to work but I dunno about MikesXS' " overdrive gear".
It seems to me that a 23tooth gear can't be replaced by a 24tooth running on the
same centers unless the 24tooth gear's tooth form has been seriously compromised.
OK, so, no good reason for this screwy gearing. Owners just kept searching for that higher gear, that wasn't even there, until the 6 gear models came out.
Scott
Fred, I thought the same, like a change in the gearteeth's involute geometry, until I got my hands on one for examination. All they did was add 1 tooth, keeping the same diametrical pitch, made the tooth gaps deeper, and slightly thinned the teeth, which pushes its effective diameter out, engaging the opposing gear a little deeper, reducing its effective diameter, getting the new slightly different ratio. Never seen this kinda kludge before, but it works...
6th gear, Scott?! Jeez, my Bonneville (bought new in '68) only had a 4-speed. I cruised the thing at 80 mph on a regular basis (and yeah, that included a few 800 mile runs) and never went poking for a higher gear. Back then multi-cylinder street bikes were a recent development, and our expectations hadn't been corrupted by decades of 4-bangers and twins with mechanical balancers on the cranks.
That having been said, I use 17/32 gearing on my XS650D. The bike pulls away from a standing start just fine even with a passenger, but there's a little extra power on tap (displacement has been increased to 700 cc., head ported (by Jack--thank you, Sir!), Shell #1 cam, TM36/68 carbies, exhaust mods from the old master MMM).
Guys, before you buy that tall 5th gear, do a search. Some buyers have encountered fitment problems due to Chiwanese/MXS QA.
That having been said, I use 17/32 gearing on my XS650D. The bike pulls away from a standing start just fine even with a passenger, but there's a little extra power on tap (displacement has been increased to 700 cc., head ported (by Jack--thank you, Sir!), Shell #1 cam, TM36/68 carbies, exhaust mods from the old master MMM).
Guys, before you buy that tall 5th gear, do a search. Some buyers have encountered fitment problems due to Chiwanese/MXS QA.
As nj1639 mentioned I too have tried several set ups of sprockets. I run the stock 17/34 on my bikes.
A lot depends on your riding habits, around town or back road twisties need the lower gearing, mostly highway cruising needs them a bit taller. The stock gearing is a good all around set up.
I don't do much high way cruising but love the back roads, twisty just make them more fun.
Leo
A lot depends on your riding habits, around town or back road twisties need the lower gearing, mostly highway cruising needs them a bit taller. The stock gearing is a good all around set up.
I don't do much high way cruising but love the back roads, twisty just make them more fun.
Leo
