Wharfcreek
Near 50 Yrs of Experience
Have been wanting to try the gear change from the Stock 34 tooth rear sprocket to a 32 tooth.....and see if it made any kind of significant difference. After all, it's only 2 teeth, so could it really make any kind of 'notable' change?........... OH YEA!!! REALLY NICE!
Needless to say, when changing rear sprocket, one needs to assess the overall condition of both chain and front sprocket as well. In order to be simply as safe as possible with this, I decided to spend the $20 or so on a new front sprocket as well as purchased a new chain. Also well worth the time and effort! My old 'stock' gears were getting worn to the point where I could start to 'feel' the mesh quality suffering. I'd changed chains previously, and while I think everything was still within acceptable 'wear' standards, I put keeping these items in tip-top shape at the top of my maintenance list. So, with the entire package costing only about $80, and with only about 2 hours of wrench time involved....this is a simple and satisfying project....with GREAT results!!
So, as this is more about the change in the ratio than the process of doing the work, suffice it to say that this job creates a good opportunity to 'clean up' the crud that accumulates under that front cover. Once done, and with new sprockets in place, it was time for a test ride! I've spent some significant time in 'tuning' lately, and I've got my 'stock' engine running pretty well. It easily hits red line, and after a 70 mph run on the open highway earlier today, I decided this 'ratio' change was absolutely necessary. And, having ordered and received this stuff in the past few weeks, I decided tonight was the time to 'git 'er done'!! So....with job complete, it was time to go make my A-B comparison in running down the same stretch of highway at the same 70 mph!
I can honestly say that I did NOT take RPM readings....either earlier this afternoon, or on my test drive this evening. But, I didn't even get out of the neighborhood before I was already 'diggin' on the gear change. I have a 30 mph road that departs my 'hood. That's usually a 3rd to 4th gear run. Well, with the new gears, the 30 mph run was smooth and comfy without shifting beyond 2nd. So, out the hood I turn, and on to my 40 mph highway...normally run by most at about 45 and even 50. Well, the acceleration up to about 50 was delightful.....and strolling down the road at 50 in 5th gear was effortless....and perhaps more importantly, the reduction in vibration was REALLY significant!
So my 45 mph highway dumps in to an interstate highway with a 65 mph speed limit, that again is commonly run at about 70 by most travelers. So, on the highway I went.....again accelerating through all 5 gears and noting with extreme pleasure the fact that the torque of the engine was easily providing an increase in the acceleration rate the bike had previously. AND.....the reduction in vibration was just SO NICE!!
In all fairness, I have to give some credit in the 'smooth' factor to simply having a new chain and sprocket set. If I had the original 'stock' gear ratio but also with a new gear-chain combination, I think it too would have provided somewhat of the same pleasing reduction in vibration. However, as I rode down the highway, I quite clearly noted the reduction in engine RPM.....the 'buzz' at highway speed was gone, and the ride was really MUCH more pleasurable!! Or course, getting run off the road by an SUV put a damper on my mood...... but when gassing up about 30 minutes later a woman at another pump had actually seen this event and asked me how I survived. Funny, but sad! These 'close calls' happen all too often..... DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!!!
Anyway.....let me conclude by saying that while this gear change may not be for everyone, I found it REALLY nice! I do think that having an engine running at peak performance may be a critical aspect to making this work. And, if your clutch slips with 'stock' gears, it's going to get worse with this!! But, if your engine and clutch are strong....then I think this worth a try. I'll be anxious to see if anyone 'posts' to this thread with their impressions.....good or bad. I hope more 'pro' than 'con', but either way, it's a relatively 'cheap' way to make a notable change in how your bike runs!!
Good luck............and happy and safe motoring!!
Tom D.
Needless to say, when changing rear sprocket, one needs to assess the overall condition of both chain and front sprocket as well. In order to be simply as safe as possible with this, I decided to spend the $20 or so on a new front sprocket as well as purchased a new chain. Also well worth the time and effort! My old 'stock' gears were getting worn to the point where I could start to 'feel' the mesh quality suffering. I'd changed chains previously, and while I think everything was still within acceptable 'wear' standards, I put keeping these items in tip-top shape at the top of my maintenance list. So, with the entire package costing only about $80, and with only about 2 hours of wrench time involved....this is a simple and satisfying project....with GREAT results!!
So, as this is more about the change in the ratio than the process of doing the work, suffice it to say that this job creates a good opportunity to 'clean up' the crud that accumulates under that front cover. Once done, and with new sprockets in place, it was time for a test ride! I've spent some significant time in 'tuning' lately, and I've got my 'stock' engine running pretty well. It easily hits red line, and after a 70 mph run on the open highway earlier today, I decided this 'ratio' change was absolutely necessary. And, having ordered and received this stuff in the past few weeks, I decided tonight was the time to 'git 'er done'!! So....with job complete, it was time to go make my A-B comparison in running down the same stretch of highway at the same 70 mph!
I can honestly say that I did NOT take RPM readings....either earlier this afternoon, or on my test drive this evening. But, I didn't even get out of the neighborhood before I was already 'diggin' on the gear change. I have a 30 mph road that departs my 'hood. That's usually a 3rd to 4th gear run. Well, with the new gears, the 30 mph run was smooth and comfy without shifting beyond 2nd. So, out the hood I turn, and on to my 40 mph highway...normally run by most at about 45 and even 50. Well, the acceleration up to about 50 was delightful.....and strolling down the road at 50 in 5th gear was effortless....and perhaps more importantly, the reduction in vibration was REALLY significant!
So my 45 mph highway dumps in to an interstate highway with a 65 mph speed limit, that again is commonly run at about 70 by most travelers. So, on the highway I went.....again accelerating through all 5 gears and noting with extreme pleasure the fact that the torque of the engine was easily providing an increase in the acceleration rate the bike had previously. AND.....the reduction in vibration was just SO NICE!!
In all fairness, I have to give some credit in the 'smooth' factor to simply having a new chain and sprocket set. If I had the original 'stock' gear ratio but also with a new gear-chain combination, I think it too would have provided somewhat of the same pleasing reduction in vibration. However, as I rode down the highway, I quite clearly noted the reduction in engine RPM.....the 'buzz' at highway speed was gone, and the ride was really MUCH more pleasurable!! Or course, getting run off the road by an SUV put a damper on my mood...... but when gassing up about 30 minutes later a woman at another pump had actually seen this event and asked me how I survived. Funny, but sad! These 'close calls' happen all too often..... DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!!!
Anyway.....let me conclude by saying that while this gear change may not be for everyone, I found it REALLY nice! I do think that having an engine running at peak performance may be a critical aspect to making this work. And, if your clutch slips with 'stock' gears, it's going to get worse with this!! But, if your engine and clutch are strong....then I think this worth a try. I'll be anxious to see if anyone 'posts' to this thread with their impressions.....good or bad. I hope more 'pro' than 'con', but either way, it's a relatively 'cheap' way to make a notable change in how your bike runs!!
Good luck............and happy and safe motoring!!
Tom D.
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