Author Topic: Why is low gear called low and high gear high?  (Read 1100 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline sammermpc

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 238
Why is low gear called low and high gear high?
« on: September 22, 2014, 05:13:55 AM »
I've always been kind've confused — gear-ratio is inversely proportional to speed, right? So that's now what the "high gear" and "low gear" refer to. So what is it?

I think I saw a good post explaining it here, but I can't track it down now. Any help?
1972 CB500, 1979 CB750F SS (dohc), 1982 Yamaha Maxim XS400

Offline dusterdude

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,493
Re: Why is low gear called low and high gear high?
« Reply #1 on: September 22, 2014, 03:32:43 PM »
I would think because first gear is first and high gear is last,my thoughts on it
mark
1972 k1 750
1949 fl panhead
1 1/2 gl1100 goldwings
1998 cbr600 f3

Offline TwoTired

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 21,805
Re: Why is low gear called low and high gear high?
« Reply #2 on: September 22, 2014, 03:41:04 PM »
Low gear results in lower rear wheel revolutions per crankshaft revs than high gear.

I had a 52 chev truck once with a compound low gear.  It had a V8 transplant from the original inline six.  Damn comical to use that low gear.  You could count the stones as they slowly went by in the ground.  It was also called stump pulling gear.  ;D
'Twas a fun truck.  Rotten MPG, though.
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline 333

  • Time for change
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 7,558
  • Mail List Member #162 - Call me Stan
Re: Why is low gear called low and high gear high?
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2014, 09:23:47 PM »
I'd say low gear for low speed.

I drove a 10 truck once, that had a severe mis-match of trans and differential. It's top speed was just under 35. It sure did piss people off behind me. I could be first in line at a stop light, and by the time i'm through 5 of the 8 gears, I might be half way through the intersection. And for those who don't know this, in a truck, once you get moving, you usually don't clutch. I could get away without the clutch from a dead stop. I could just jam it into first, and it would(almost) lurch
Go metric, every inch of the way!

CB350F0  "Scrouching Tiger"
CT70K0    "Sneezing Poodle"

www.alexandriaseaport.org

Offline dave500

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 17,050
  • WHAT?no gravy?
Re: Why is low gear called low and high gear high?
« Reply #4 on: September 23, 2014, 01:00:36 AM »
I had an old mack with a low crawler gear,so low you could engage it without the clutch and the truck would start going forwards ever so slowly,increasing the rpm to max gained about a slow snails pace or almost none.

Offline 70CB750

  • Labor omnia vincit improbus.
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,832
  • Northern Virginia
Re: Why is low gear called low and high gear high?
« Reply #5 on: September 23, 2014, 03:09:37 AM »
The np435 I put in my jeep has ratio for the first gear 6.68 - straight teeth, no synchronization. 

You have to be in dead stop to put it in first, but in first gear you can walk faster than the jeep rolls.
Prokop
_______________
Pure Gas - find ethanol free gas station near you

I love it when parts come together.

Dorothy - my CB750
CB750K3F - The Red
Sidecar


CB900C

2006 KLR650

Offline sammermpc

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 238
Re: Why is low gear called low and high gear high?
« Reply #6 on: September 23, 2014, 05:09:27 AM »
Quote
Low gear results in lower rear wheel revolutions per crankshaft revs than high gear.

Really? So the name just comes from the final speed — low gear means you're going slow. High gear means you're going high? That's almost disappointingly straightforward. I was hoping for some formulas  ;D
1972 CB500, 1979 CB750F SS (dohc), 1982 Yamaha Maxim XS400

Offline vfourfreak

  • Do you think that's wise
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 2,030
Re: Why is low gear called low and high gear high?
« Reply #7 on: September 23, 2014, 01:48:55 PM »
Yup,

simple as that !
I had a Ford Transit once (not the evil one) with a V6 Capri sport engine with down draught Webers and a diff reported to have come from a Corsair hearse ! You could pop that thing in first and just leave it run, foot off the pedal. I had a very nervous passenger once, spent 3 months together driving around Europe, finally we got back to Le Havre for the ferry back home. We are let into this huge yard where the trucks queue up, but it is empty cause we are so early. So as we pass through the gate, I jump out and close the door. My mate started screaming as thev van took off on it's own and there is nothing he can do.
I had a laugh, then had to run like #$%*e to catch up with it and the hysterical passenger.

Kev

Offline 70CB750

  • Labor omnia vincit improbus.
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,832
  • Northern Virginia
Re: Why is low gear called low and high gear high?
« Reply #8 on: September 23, 2014, 03:08:12 PM »
^^^  ;D

Friend of mine was told by a cop he is not allowed to drive his car home. So he asked if he can push it home. Same story, it was an old hearse, so he lead it home by the steering wheel walking alongside.
Prokop
_______________
Pure Gas - find ethanol free gas station near you

I love it when parts come together.

Dorothy - my CB750
CB750K3F - The Red
Sidecar


CB900C

2006 KLR650

Offline Don R

  • My Sandcast is a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 20,180
  • Saver of unloved motorcycles.
Re: Why is low gear called low and high gear high?
« Reply #9 on: September 23, 2014, 08:32:15 PM »
When gears were invented everyone was confused. We had a meeting and flipped a coin.
 When in low gear the axle turns a lower number of times (RPM) than the engine does. When in top or high gear the axle turns a higher number of times than it did in low.
 And then there's overdrive.
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
 CEO at the no kill motorcycle shop.
 You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

Offline dave500

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 17,050
  • WHAT?no gravy?
Re: Why is low gear called low and high gear high?
« Reply #10 on: September 23, 2014, 11:36:04 PM »
and double over drive,not to mention bachman turner overdrive who invented the gearbox made of wood.



« Last Edit: September 23, 2014, 11:39:09 PM by dave500 »