You guys remember my chain?...

[Guest]

For those who met me at the event two weeks ago .... no the chain has not broken but thanks to sandy's tips (other nagging aside *heh*) I am getting the last of the adjustment out of it before replacing it this winter my sprockets are beyond done so both have to go.... and I am going for the 530 conversion from all the info I got from folks that spelled it out for me as to the benefits which further reading confirmed

Anyway, I was using the site http://www.gearingcommander.com/ don't know if the 82 T is similar to the gearing on my 80 or not. But I am looking to keep stock gearing but am on the fence of trying to drop the front sprocket for getting me lower than 5k when cruising on the freeway. Don't know if it is worth sacrificing a little zip for or not. But someone reading this might have heard or done it....

Suggestions?

Edit:

Uping the front sprocket... my bad

[Mysuzyq]

To drop cruising rpm, you would need to increase front sprocket teeth, not drop. The Z-1 Enterprises site has a page that will help figure out your rpm at 60 mph with different ratios. Going up one tooth on the front will usually drop rpm by a modest amount on the highway, without sacrificing too much zip off the line.

Tony.

[67fire]

Scott, I changed from my "normal" 14/42 gearing to 16/40 just for the Shasta gig.
I dropped about 1,000 rpm at 75 mph. (4,200 to 3,000)
It made starting a bit odd (lazy) but, I have a bunch more HP and TQ than your bike.
My mpg went from the "normal" 33 to 42 during the rally.
You could try adding 1 tooth the the front sprocket and removing 1-2 from the rear, and drop about 4-800 rpm. I am guessing.

Eric

[Kcwiro]

hrm...

What I am want to confirm is if my bike has the 15 / 41 stock the gear commander page says... though it is for a 750T but I recall someone saying it was they same on their 81 750e...

if for grins I wanted to stay where I was at what would the front rear be on the 530 then? Gearing is not something I am good at as number seem to hate me or I hate them but whose counting ...eric hey now... I assure you my lower HP and TQ can kill me just as good but maybe not as flashy

[almarconi]

What I am want to confirm is if my bike has the 15 / 41 stock the gear commander page says... though it is for a 750T

Why don't you just go count the teeth on your sprockets instead of guessing?

[Mysuzyq]

I don't know about the 750 gearing, but hopefully you have the manual, which would have all that info. It's not hard to figure out....divide the stock rear number of teeth by the stock front sprocket number of teeth to get the ratio (2.8 on the 1100, IIRC). Though the number of teeth will be larger with the 530, you would divide them in similar fashion, to arrive at a quotient as close to the stock ratio as possible, if you want to maintain stock-ish cruising rpm. (Do not go lower than a 17 front, for clearance and chain life).

From this point, increasing the front sprocket #, will drop cruising rpm. I would suggest a drop of only a few hundred rpm.....dropping it 1000 rpm at 60 would not only make your bike weak off the line (with a stock bike) requiring more clutch-slip, it would also likely force you to downshift for good passing power on the highway.
I would suggest calling Jeff at Z-1 to help figure out sprockets and chain length, if you still find it confusing.....they have good prices on the conversion kit too!

Tony.

[Kcwiro]

I don't know about the 750 gearing, but hopefully you have the manual, which would have all that info. It's not hard to figure out....divide the stock rear number of teeth by the stock front sprocket number of teeth to get the ratio (2.8 on the 1100, IIRC). Though the number of teeth will be larger with the 530, you would divide them in similar fashion, to arrive at a quotient as close to the stock ratio as possible, if you want to maintain stock-ish cruising rpm. (Do not go lower than a 17 front, for clearance and chain life)...

I would suggest calling Jeff at Z-1 to help figure out sprockets and chain length, if you still find it confusing.....they have good prices on the conversion kit too!

Tony.

...Z1 is where I will be obtaining the kit yes...do have the clymer manual but nothing about the sprocket size that I can find other than inspection replace stuff unfortunately. Sheesh I missed your post where you listed your 18-47 530 conversion ... by lower I take it you said i should not get >17 front as I have seen notes about clearences...guess the 1100 gets away with it. Am I correct?

almarconi:

Hey come on now I am just asking a legitimate question as to avoid having to take off that cover when I should be riding it. I will do that as a last resort right now, I just getting my ducks in a row before the season is over

...thanks guys for the tips

[Mysuzyq]

Nope.....I meant not to go <17 on the number of teeth for the front sprocket.....the clearance issue is with the chain hanging lower with a smaller sprocket, and making contact if there is the slightest amount of slop. Also, a smaller sprocket makes for a smaller radius turn for the chain, decreasing it's life. Jeff has supplied plenty of 530s to GS'ers here, he will figure out the best gearing for you to lower cruising rpm, without sacrificing too much low rpm power.

Tony.

[almarconi]

Hey come on now I am just asking a legitimate question as to avoid having to take off that cover when I should be riding it. I will do that as a last resort right now, I just getting my ducks in a row before the season is over

Are you the original owner of the bike? How would you know if a PO replaced the sprockets with the correct ones. Taking the cover off is not that much work.

[Bert Patterson]

And just as a little note from my well-documented (b!tched about) conversion,...........Loosen the nut on the front sprocket before anything else......

[gearhead13]

My 750 stock (630) gearing was 15/41, which translates into an 18/49 in 530. The 49 rear is about a half tooth smaller in comparison to 630 setup so the 18/49 is a little higher gearing than stock. I put in a 17 front and 49 rear and it feels like it needs another gear on the highway, but great around town. I think the transmission gear ratios should be wider spaced than they are. I also ordered the 18 and 16 tooth front sprockets to play around with, like if I take it to the drag strip

[Kcwiro]

Update:

I went with Z1 and confirmed the numbers with the boys over there good thing because the numbers I got were well fuxed I will not disclose my dubucle here.... Got the kit waiting to go on I just need to get the helper who has done this locally to lend me sometime closer to spring. I also planning to do my fork springs and seals as they were weeping by end of this last season....good excuse to getter done.

I do not even remember what the PO did to this bike but honestly despite its short comings on looks it has performed great and I know I can look forward to a few more seasons of use of this bad boy.

[67fire]

Good news! Once you get the Progressive front and rear suspension bits,
it will feel like a new bike!
As for it's looks...
your bike, looks great!

Eric

[Kcwiro]

Hey Eric!

Good news! Once you get the Progressive front and rear suspension bits,
it will feel like a new bike!
As for it's looks...
your bike, looks great!

Eric

Aww your making me...I mean my bike blush...After re-painting it to its current state it does look good doesn't it?

I do have the rear progressive already on there. Fork seals were new when I bought the bike, so when I got the rear progressives I decided I would just wait until they needed to be replaced to finally do the fork springs. Now that they are in need of service so they are commin in

Those near me know I have my eye on a v-strom 650 with ABS just do not have the extra cash to justify it. Good thing this bike is so bulletproof to last until I do have said money =)

[chef1366]

Don't eat the brown acid