Help with gearing 1150/Kat

[Carter Turk]

I've done the 530 conversion some years ago and trusted the shop sold me the right conversion from 630. The 530 sprockets they sold me were 15/42. I bought some Kat parts recently from Katman, and he said my rear sprocket looked small. I'd been riding that setup for some time and just assumed it was a stock conversion. The shop looked at a Parts Unlimited conversion chart and that's what they sold me. It felt a little tall in 2nd gear hairpins, but otherwise felt pretty good.

When my chain expired on the way to Michigan from Washington, I had the same shop order me the 530 conversion. This time, however, I received a 15/45 combo, and now the bike runs at a higher rpm at 70+. It seems to pull harder at low rpms, but I'd prefer lower rpms at sustained higher speeds.

Any chance I could change the front sprocket to something else to solve this? Front sprockets are relatively cheap and I have enough adjustment, I think, to remove the front sprocket, without pulling apart the master link. Thanks for any gearing enlightenment.

The frame is 83 Katana, the engine is 84 1150, bored to 1229

 

[gearhead13]

My 530 conversion worked out to be a 17/49 setup. I ordered three front sprockets, a 16,17,18 and I am able to switch between them and not run into chain length problems. I am running 16/49 now for more jump around town.

 

[gearhead13]

I did my conversion at Z1:
http://www.z1enterprises.com/catalog.aspx?pid=GS1100EZ-1982-MP1
Their guide is very useful

 

[rapidray]

Carter, I'm surprised you got a 15 tooth 530 sprocket to clear the swingarm!!! Go smaller on the front & it won't. Ray.

 

[Carter Turk]

Gearhead, thanks for the link, I'll have to look there. I was just in Tofino a few days ago. Didn't see many bikes, mostly cruisers, double up.

Ray, what's a 14 tooth gonna do to the rpms at higher sustained speed?

 

[gearhead13]

Gearhead, thanks for the link, I'll have to look there. I was just in Tofino a few days ago. Didn't see many bikes, mostly cruisers, double up.

Ray, what's a 14 tooth gonna do to the rpms at higher sustained speed?

I dont know about the rest of the island, but around Victoria and towards Sooke there are tons of bikes, more Harleys than any other.
Going to a smaller tooth front sprocket will raise the rpms of the engine. Less teeth on the rear = lower rpms
Less teeth on the front = higher rpms

 

[Carter Turk]

So a 16 or 17 front sprocket won't work with a 45 rear to lower rpms?

 

[Guest]

So a 16 or 17 front sprocket won't work with a 45 rear to lower rpms?

A 16 in front will yield the stock 2.8:1 (stock for the GS1100E....don't know if the 1150 gearing is the same), so go with the 17 (2.6:1), to drop rpm for highway cruising...I'm using the same ratio, and it dropped rpm by about 300 at 60 mph....doesn't sound like much, but it does make a difference, providing a more relaxed cruise, with virtually no loss of oomph off the line, and no downshifting required, to pass.

 

[Guest]

I was just snooping and saw a question about a 14 tooth sproket... If you read Rays post again, he is saying the chain will rub on the swingarm and make terrible noises... at least thats what I got out of it...
Curt

 

[rapidray]

Carter, to lower RPM, BIGGER in front. To raise RPM, SMALLER in front. Ray.

 

[Carter Turk]

I'm using the same ratio, and it dropped rpm by about 300 at 60 mph

So you're using a 17 upfront and 45 out back or something different out back? Is this a 530 conversion?

My change from 15/42, which I thought was the stock conversion or at least according to the shop, to 15/45 changed the rpms, 300 + - higher. The change to 15/45 was out of my hands because I was out of state when he sent me the parts. I kept shifting into the 6th gear I don't have on the way home, due to the revs being higher.

An aside, I just went on a short ride yesturday and discovered the master link clip I put on in Michigan 2500 miles ago is missing, even though I gooped rvt on it. It was there when I returned from the trip, so it must have come off on my 70 mile loop yesturday. I always carry spares, so I put one on in front of the video store, before I rode home. The plate behind the master link didn't move at all and I was able to pop a new clip on.

 

[El Giablo]

I am running 16/48 = 3:1 on Beloved. G

 

[Guest]

I'm using the same ratio, and it dropped rpm by about 300 at 60 mph

So you're using a 17 upfront and 45 out back or something different out back? Is this a 530 conversion?

My change from 15/42, which I thought was the stock conversion or at least according to the shop, to 15/45 changed the rpms, 300 + - higher. The change to 15/45 was out of my hands because I was out of state when he sent me the parts. I kept shifting into the 6th gear I don't have on the way home, due to the revs being higher...

Actually, I'm using 18/47 (530 conversion); it does not matter....we are ultimately concerned with the ratio. To get this, divide the rear sprocket # of teeth by the front....you can arrive at a given ratio with a few different combinations of front and rear sprockets. Cheapest and best fix for you, IMHO, is to retain the 45 rear and go with a 17 in front to drop rpm @ 60mph...with the big bore kit etc., you could even (I would, personally) go with an 18/45 to drop rpm still more, without sacrificing too much acceleration off the line. It depends on what kind of riding you do, and what floats your boat.... going with a 17 or 18 in front will drop cruising rpm and increase your theoretical top speed, although it will sacrifice some acceleration off the line.

 

[Carter Turk]

Hey thanks all for the gearing lesson.

I think I'll try the 17 F and see what happens. Yes, I'm trying to be cheap and retain the 45 R, since I just bought it. Thanks for suggesting the combo options Mysuzg, Don.

Ray, how would a 14 not scrape vs. 15? Or were you just messing with me.

 

[Carter Turk]

17/45 is what I ended up trying. Thanks Mysuzyg for the gearing suggestion.

Wow! what a difference at 70+ and in the curves it feel pretty good too. Feels like more room is allowed in each gear, taller I guess.

I wonder if mileage will increase?

 

[Guest]

17/45 is what I ended up trying. Thanks Mysuzyg for the gearing suggestion.

Wow! what a difference at 70+ and in the curves it feel pretty good too. Feels like more room is allowed in each gear, taller I guess.

I wonder if mileage will increase?

You're welcome...glad you like it. You might find yourself speeding, on the next couple rides, since we become accustomed to a certain auditory engine pitch whilst cruising, and that rpm is now yielding a higher speed. Yes, mileage will increase too.

 

[Carter Turk]

I just got back from a 240 mile loop and the mileage bumped to 39.5 from 33. I was riding much more mellow than usual, which may have helped a bit. I found out on this longer ride, I need to be at higher rpms entering a corner, in order to get a strong drive out. The top end hit comes later now, but I like the compromise the gearing gives, especially in top gear.

 

[posplayr]

I guess I'm a little late to the party but here is a table to explain the discussion

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?p=903650&highlight=gear+ratio#post903650