Drive Ratio

[genejohnson]

Would anyone know what the final rear hub drive ratio is? Gene

[Steve]

What bike?

Most of them are about 3.09, but the '82-and-up 1100GKs had a 2.9.

Other differences were in the transmission ratios and the secondary drive ratios.

What are you trying to accomplish?

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[Agemax]

Would anyone know what the final rear hub drive ratio is? Gene

as steve asks, what is your motive and what bike is it?

[genejohnson]

Thinking of constructing a trike from 80 GS850. Just curious about ratio in stock rear hub. I didn't see it written in the manual. Gene

[Nessism]

What bike?

Most of them are about 3.09, but the '82-and-up 1100GKs had a 2.9.

Other differences were in the transmission ratios and the secondary drive ratios.

What are you trying to accomplish?

.

Hi Steve,

Make that '83 and up 1100G's for the 2.9 ratio.

[Steve]

Hi Steve,

Make that '83 and up 1100G's for the 2.9 ratio.

Correction noted.

Info assimilated.

So the Gs were included, not just the GKs?

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[Steve]

Thinking of constructing a trike from 80 GS850.

Are you building a "reverse trike" with two wheels up front and one in the rear?

If you plan on having two in the rear, I'm quite sure that a standard motorcycle final drive unit will work. It is meant to be right next to the one wheel that it's powering. If you do this with a solid axle to power both rear wheels, you will not have a differential, which will make it VERY hard to steer.

On the other hand, a reverse trike, like the Can-Am Spyder, would make an interesting project. We will definitely need pictures of that.

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[Nessism]

[Steve]

Yeah, I remember that one being posted a while back, but if memory serves, it wasn't a stock final drive.

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[genejohnson]

I'm planning on a show type trike with an automobile rear end. I wanted to know what ratio the rear hub was because I wanted to keep a ratio as close to stock as possible. My search now is to find the smallest and lightest rear end possible with a simular ratio. I will have the axles and housing narrowed. I want to use (for the look that I want) 14 inch wide rear tires. Since the tires will be smaller, that will have to be considered when the rear end ratio is considered. I have the 850 frame but haven't decided to utilize it or not yet. It's not the most attractive around. Any suggestions or comments are welcome. Gene

[Steve]

You using tires that are 14" WIDE or have a 14" wheel diameter?

Before you start choosing a ratio to compensate for the wheel size, make sure you are comparing the same overall diameter, not wheel size. Most car tires are a bit taller from rim to tread, so the overall height of a 14" car tire might be about the same as a 16" or 17" bike tire.

Not sure if they are the smallest or lightest differentials available, but most of the trike manufacturers for Goldwings use Ford products. If you want to try something to be different, look for the rear differential in a front-engined car that is normally front-wheel drive, but has an AWD option. Honda CR-V, Subaru, Toyota RAV4, just to give a few ideas. You will have to decide whether they look good, but they should be strong enough to handle the loads you intend to put on them.

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[genejohnson]

Thanks Steve, I realize what is involved in determining the ratio. I just have a find a rear end that is light as possible and has the ratio needed or the gear changability to achieve it. I want regular forks up front and a narrow width rear. Just enough room between the tires to mount the rear to the bike or built up chasis. Low to the ground per racing sidecars. Gene