Topic: 41 Tooth Rear Sprocket for 74 CB550?

[Tom C]

Does anybody know where I can buy one?  I've looked in my regular places like 4into1, David Silver Spares and came up with nothing. 
Thanks in advance.

[Pielz]

JT sprockets?

[Nicklopic]

There are a CRAPLOAD of places that will make custom rear sprockets anyway you want them. If you can't find an off the shelf version hit some people up.
Try JT, and PBI

[bryanj]

You want to climb walls at the red line?

[Scott S]

 I've got a good, used 39T sprocket. Would that work for you?

[Tom C]

You want to climb walls at the red line?

Good point.  I don't need to climb walls.  Actually I'd like to do some touring on this one once I have her in good enough shape. 

[Tom C]

I've got a good, used 39T sprocket. Would that work for you?

The current chain and sprockets are pretty much brand new, I've only had the bike out for a few miles since they were installed.  I've heard that a used sprocket paired with a new chain is not such a good idea as the old sprocket will prematurely stretch the new chain. 

Now I'm thinking that I should put some miles on the current chain/sprocket setup before I go messing around with changing from the stock setup (17/37). 

[bryanj]

Bigger back sprocket means more revs for same speed, normally go the other way for touring on open road

[steeldoncb550]

Ya I wouldn’t go that route if looking to ride on the highway a lot. I mainly use my 550 in the city so I went with a JT 16 tooth front sprocket. Noticeable improvement in acceleration but the rpms scream on the highway.

[HondaMan]

I've heard that a used sprocket paired with a new chain is not such a good idea as the old sprocket will prematurely stretch the new chain. 

Presently, 100% of all sprockets you will find are cast, not machined from blanks. This leaves a slightly gritty surface finish on the bottom of the teeth, which very quickly (100 miles) wears off and becomes grit in the chain, damaging the chain and rollers. This is the truth behind the stories you have been hearing.

So...take the old chain and run it on the new sprockets for about 50-100 miles until you see the bottoms of the sprocket teeth smooth. Then remove that chain, wipe the sprockets clean, and install your new chain. This will guarantee the longest and happiest marriage of the two: on my 750 this had typically yielded 30k-40k miles per chain/sprocket set, using 1% chain stretch as the wear limit. The 750 (OEM) chain length is 100 links, so when the chain grows by 5/8" or 1 link, it is time for a new one. Yours is a bit shorter, but the rules still apply.

[Tom C]

I've heard that a used sprocket paired with a new chain is not such a good idea as the old sprocket will prematurely stretch the new chain. 

Presently, 100% of all sprockets you will find are cast, not machined from blanks. This leaves a slightly gritty surface finish on the bottom of the teeth, which very quickly (100 miles) wears off and becomes grit in the chain, damaging the chain and rollers. This is the truth behind the stories you have been hearing.

So...take the old chain and run it on the new sprockets for about 50-100 miles until you see the bottoms of the sprocket teeth smooth. Then remove that chain, wipe the sprockets clean, and install your new chain. This will guarantee the longest and happiest marriage of the two: on my 750 this had typically yielded 30k-40k miles per chain/sprocket set, using 1% chain stretch as the wear limit. The 750 (OEM) chain length is 100 links, so when the chain grows by 5/8" or 1 link, it is time for a new one. Yours is a bit shorter, but the rules still apply.

Thanks for the tip Mark.  I wish I had saved my old chain....   Next time!

And since I do plan to do some touring on this 550 when we are living in the time after coronavirus, I think I'll be keeping the current sprockets on the old girl.