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New front sprocket (one tooth larger) couldn't be happier!

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BarryKelly:
Hey Everybody

I put a new front sprocket on my CB550, one tooth larger.  Man, what a great difference.  Below highway speeds, honestly I don't notice that much of a difference, but the bikes runs much better on the highway.  It only dropped the RPM's about 3 or 400 at highway speeds, but it sure feels like the bike is not working as hard.

Anyway, if you feel your bike is revving a bit too high, I'd recommend this change.

Barry

P.S. I know the whole "bikes are meant to rev high" bit, but running long highway trips on a 28 year old bike at over 6000RPM with a 9000RPM redline...

Chris in Ramsey:
If YOU like it then it's fine. I've taken trips of 4-5000 miles on my 550 and run 6-7000rpm all day with no ill effects. 550's like to spin up pretty fast and most make nice power above 6000rpm. My hot-rod 550(bored,stripped) runs one tooth smaller on the front(16T) and jumps off the line real nice!

fergie:
hey barry ,is that a 18 tooth sprocket your running now.because I was thinking along the same lines but it did not look like there was enough room in my cases for the 18t. Fergie.

BarryKelly:
Hey chris

Yeah, changing the tooth does slow it down a bit in the city.  I've put about 500km on them since the first post and I realize that it does definately change it more then I originally thought.  If I know I'm going to be driving in the city for awhile I'll probably change back to the one tooth smaller sprocket.  I definately agree that sprocket size is obviously personal preference, but I'm glad I tried out the change.

Hey fergie

I *believe* it is an 18, yes.  I can't remember exactly, but I DO remember that it is one tooth larger then the original.  Also, it is the stock CB750 front sprocket for 1978, it fits the 550 fine.  It's pretty close, but I could turn it no problem and there was no scraping.  As I said above, I just finished about 500km on this setup and still am happy I went to that for highway driving.  I think for city driving, I'd go down one.  Even two down from my present set-up (one down from stock) woudl be neat - it would be a very quick bike off the line and below highway speeds.

Cheers all

Barry

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