chain / sprocket advice needed

[Kbecker3]

i have a 1981 gs750L that last year i put a new chain, and sprockets (530-110 link chain, 16T c/s sprocket and a 43T rear sprocket; final drive ratio is about 2.69)( i got all this info/parts from Z1.)

so now i am deciding to get to working on the bike before spring starts rolling around... and i remember thinking when i was riding on the freeway that i wouldn't want to take it on a long trip reving so high.. so i was thinking about knocking the rear sprocket down to a 40T (special order)....

16T front; 40T rear; 530-108 chain (probably just cut my current chain) bringing my final drive ratio to : 2.50

any one see any potential problems? (fitting, more stress on any parts, charging (put a new electrosport stator and RR in last year), etc....)

any and all thoughts welcome
thanks!

-Keith

 

[Kbecker3]

also forgot to mention that i did the 530 conversion.

 

[Nessism]

Going up one tooth on the front is easier, assuming your chain is long enough. Done it on a bike before and the rpm reduction is noticable.

Good luck.

 

[Mark M]

Going up one tooth on the front is easier, assuming your chain is long enough. Done it on a bike before and the rpm reduction is noticable.

Good luck.

It also increases chain life as well. Going to the 40 is a slightly larger reduction than going to 17 on the front, but not much different. Whichever way, it should be fine.

As for problems, you will notice slightly less acceleration. But you will get better mileage and smoother cruising. Not really a big deal either way, and if you like the lower revs for long trips, it is definitely worth a try.

Mark

 

[trippivot]

18 front will really make it a nice ride on the highway.
it will spread all the shift points out nicely.

 

[hampshirehog]

If you do the maths (don't ask me I only did it to O level) the minimum number of teeth on a sprocket is 19. So the closer you get to that number on the front sprocket, you should be optimising chain life and power transfer.

 

[Kbecker3]

that is the other thing i was considering doing, putting a 17t sprocket on the front, but i will probably have to get a new chain.

what is the differance between putting a larger one on front vs. smaller on rear.. will it actually smooth out the ride some?