83GS550E Sprocket Size For Increased Speed/Lower RPM?

[GQROD]

I'm not certain as to what rpm's you are currently running at 65-70 mph. The following are gearing options compared to the 14/48 (stock for the 83 GS550E) set up on the bike. The gearing optins listed in red are where I recommend starting. You'll notice the RPM drop is close to 500 rpm's from what you are currently running. The 550 bore being relatively smaller compared to the big bore bikes you don't want to make a drastic change which will make it difficult to get the bike rolling from a stop. The 513 series front sprocket and 816 series rear sprocket are correct for your model.

Your order can be placed through our website for your convenience. If I can be further assistance contact me. Thank you for your inquiry, follow up information and choosing Z1 Enterprises.

Front Rear Chain Final Drive Ratio RPM Impact
Existing 14 48 112 3.434 500

New 14 43 2.63 109 .43.07 4031
New 15 47 -0.5 112 .53.13 4113
New 15 45 0.53 111 .53.00 3938
New 16 49 -2.6 114 .63.06 4020

Just wanted to post the reply i got from Rob. He was very very helpful and i thought his effort could help others here with small cc bikes find a good ratio for their bikes. Thanks again everyone i'll keep you posted.

I may just go with the 15/45 setup since it gets me safely into the rpm range i want.

 

[Old Colt]

Why not just put a 16 on the front and ride it? I did that when my bike was 3 days old, way back when they were new.
Unless of coarse spending money is done for fun for you.

 

[GQROD]

Why not just put a 16 on the front and ride it? I did that when my bike was 3 days old, way back when they were new.
Unless of coarse spending money is done for fun for you.

I was going to go with the just the 16 but i was concerned about bogging too much so i listed the specs Rob gave me so i could get this forums opinions.

Ironicly i came close with the other calculator i used. I was off by one tooth on each sprocket compared to his numbers.

I ordered the 16, to try it.

I noticed a lock washer that is bent towards the nut to lock it in place, is there a trick to getting out the nut with this washer on it?

 

[Old Colt]

Use a chisel or screw driver to fold the tab back. Might need to fold up a different area to lock the nut.

 

[Clone]

Off the top of my brain I don't exactly remember it was around 40 on the rear, I didn't change the front. 38-42 in there somewhere all I remember for sure is that it had 5 teeth less than what was on there.

 

[GQROD]

Use a chisel or screw driver to fold the tab back. Might need to fold up a different area to lock the nut.

Cool thanks for the help.

 

[GQROD]

Off the top of my brain I don't exactly remember it was around 40 on the rear, I didn't change the front. 38-42 in there somewhere all I remember for sure is that it had 5 teeth less than what was on there.

Ok that makes more sense to me now, i appreciate the help. I'm going to put the 16 and try it. Then update this thread.

 

[GQROD]

I had updated this thread but somehow seems the info was lost.

The 16t is now in and i'm waiting for the stator cover gasket to try it.

The rear wheel is finally aligned perfectly.

Click on my signature for pics.

 

[GQROD]

16T Update

16T Update

Finally got the stator cover on.

Took bike out for a test ride.

At 4000 RPM i was doing 55 MPH, granted my speedometer may be off.

I'll test with the GPS to see how accurate the speed is as suggested earlier in this thread.

But i gained a 15 MPH increase in speed with the 16T at the 4000 RPM, before with the 14T front i was barely doing 40 MPH.

Also with the rear wheel aligned it is MUCH better leaning into corners, before it always felt like was going to break loose before it hunkered down into a turn. That squirely feeling is now GONE.

Love the mod, however i think i may have to go with the 44 rear sprocket just to get me into the 65 MPH i wanted, to cruise on the highway at 4000 RPM.

Starting off in first gear takes a little getting used to but it's not as detrimental as i thought it would be.

Feels great not to be passed by school buses anymore!

Thanks to everyone for your help and your patience in this thread i sincerely appreciate the advice.

 

[MelodicMetalGod]

Congrats on another step to completing the dream!!!

 

[GQROD]

Thank you so much, took it out again today and it ran great.

Got it to almost 6000 RPM comfortably and really love how much better it runs now and the speed i'm at around town.

I think this set up is perfect for around town or short local road commutes, but on the highway it would still need more speed versus High RPM's unless you don't mind reving your bike to 8000 RPM. And you definetly need a windshield cause after 50mph on this bike it's all about wind buffeting wanting to dismount you really fast!

The clanking noise is still there from the engine but i posted another thread about the cam tensioner which others suggested as the possible cause for the noise i heard.

I'll probably have to rebuild it or replace it as it's leaking oil and I may not have put it in right originally. ( see separate thread on this )

 

[GQROD]

Update On Rear Sprocket Install

Update On Rear Sprocket Install

Wanted to update this thread,

After riding the bike with the 16T front sprocket i installed i'm able to cruise at 60mph at 4500 RPM. This is a huge improvement but the speed limits here on the highway is 65 to 70 MPH with big rigs running 80 easily.

So against other members valid advice considering the small displacement of my engine i wanted to get a 44T steel rear sprocket, it was not available at Z1 so i went with a 43T.

Insatllation was easy. Still got to take her out for a test ride, but had to wait due to an oil leak coming from the clutch rod seal. So after a late night it's all done, seal is in, tomorrow will tell how good it works.

One tip for those new to riding like me, if you adjust your throttle cable to open the throttle plates quicker you get more power earlier and can be in the RPM range you want when your wrist travel is maxed out.

No doubt i'll need to adjust mine again depending on how it launches with the shorter rear sprocket.

 

[gustovh]

Hows the milage? My sons bike (gs550es) stock gets 52 mpg. at 70 mph. not sure what his rpm range was though. We checked his millage against my 1100 Lt and it was dead on as is my spedo. So if you were getting something allot less than that, your floats might be set too high and you shouldn't need to warm is up for more than 30-60 seconds before coming down off choke if you use it at all.
V

 

[GQROD]

Hows the milage? My sons bike (gs550es) stock gets 52 mpg. at 70 mph. not sure what his rpm range was though. We checked his millage against my 1100 Lt and it was dead on as is my spedo. So if you were getting something allot less than that, your floats might be set too high and you shouldn't need to warm is up for more than 30-60 seconds before coming down off choke if you use it at all.
V

I do use the choke every time because it alows it to start right up. When it's summer i don't use it once the engine is warm. I did have to go slightly higher on the pilot jets to get it to idle well so this may play a part in gas consumption.

My mileage has gotten much better but it's more because i'm warming it up for less time, and of course the gearing does help a lot especially around town.

My rough estimate is that i'm getting about 125 miles to a full tank of gas, it has the 4.8 gallon tank. I still don't think this is great for a four cylinder but it's better than it was.

My floats are set to factory recomended setting though your suggestion makes sense.

I think my mileage problems were in part due to the gearing but really the amount of time wasted warming up and the engine reving too high to ride around town,

I did take the bike out today and WHAT A DIFFERENCE !! i am much happier now with it. I can easily cruise at 70 mph now at close to 4500 RPM granted it does have a slight lag where you stay on the throttle and the speed kind of creeps up on you between 65 and 70 MPH , but i can live with this.

Since my riding is more leisurely i prefer to keep the RPMS lower and cruise at a nice pace, the gearing calculator i used was right on the money!

This type of gearing is not for everyone but it suits me perfectly, launching from a stop is no different than with just the front 16T sprocket but it does go farther before i feel i have to shift which is also great.

If you like crusing more than canyon carving ( though through 5th gear you can still wind it out with good roll on performance ) and don't want to spend the big bucks on another crusier bike then this swap even on a small engine is worth all the time and effort.

 

[tkent02]

My rough estimate is that i'm getting about 125 miles to a full tank of gas, it has the 4.8 gallon tank. I still don't think this is great for a four cylinder but it's better than it was.

My truck gets better mileage, you should be going more than twice that far on the gas.

Something is wrong.

 

[GQROD]

You are right that's what i thought but i think it may be my riding very short distances wasting more fuel, should i double check my float heights as mentioned earlier? or should i change the mix screws and run a little leaner?

I may have to pull the plugs and see where i'm running rich.

 

[p_s]

My truck gets better mileage, you should be going more than twice that far on the gas.

Something is wrong.

It's supposed to be 3.9 gallons until reserve, but it's actually much less. But you can squeeze a little more than 4.8 gallons into the tank. I leave my GS550ES on reserve all the time, but that's also because I have a stupid cover over the petcock that can't be opened with gloves on. And the fuel gauge works pretty well.

 

[GQROD]

It's supposed to be 3.9 gallons until reserve, but it's actually much less. But you can squeeze a little more than 4.8 gallons into the tank. I leave my GS550ES on reserve all the time, but that's also because I have a stupid cover over the petcock that can't be opened with gloves on. And the fuel gauge works pretty well.

I see what you mean, i'll have to do plug chops and see if i'm running richer than i thought when i tuned the bike with the color tune.

I don't have a cover on my petcock and have judged that when the needle gets to a little below half on the guage then i have to swicth to Reserve or it sputters. I'm on reserve now which is why i've noticed the consumption has not gotten very much better.

So either my float heights can be lowered or my mixture screws need adjustment. I'll do some more riding and see what i get.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[p_s]

So either my float heights can be lowered or my mixture screws need adjustment. I'll do some more riding and see what i get.

Actually you never told us what mpg you get--unless you ran your tank dry and only got 125 miles. My speedo is dead on, but I don't know about the odo, and I normally get 42 mpg at ~75 mph. Short trips in town--more like 30, but my commute is only 2 miles.

 

[GQROD]

I'm running the tank dry now and i'm at below half tank but not on red yet, with 84 miles on the odometer, don't really know how accurate it is i'll have to use the gps to track speed etc to be sure. 125 miles divided by 4.8 gallons about 20 miles to the gallon. But i have only done short trips with still relatively long warm ups about 4 minute warm up times.