Topic: 16t/48t gear ratio safe to run

[73nancy]

hey guys looking at diffrent gearing on my k1 cafe. i dont do much highway riding and its mainly a around town backroads kind of bike with a plan on drag strip fun every once in awhile. my bike before the build had a 18t/48t ratio. i was wondering if i can go with a 16t front and a 48t rear. im putting on a ek x ring chain just dont know if i would wear the chain to bad with that ratio. i looking to try and get the best 1/4 mile time out of it with the stock motor and just k&n and exhaust with bigger jets.. thanks ryan

[Whaleman]

That is very tight. I have a 17 tooth you can have. I tried it and did not like it. Dan

[Toxic]

Ok, I gotta ask... Why didn't you like the 17T?

Do you do alot of highway miles?  just curious as I am planning on running 17 / 48

[Whaleman]

The revs were higher than I was used to. After 40K miles I was just used to the sounds and feel at different speeds and it seemed "off". I am not into road racing or drag racing. I hope this makes sense. If I can find it I would be glad to send it to you. Dan

[8 Track]

I run a 17/48 and I'm very happy.  I used to think the revs were too high, but I got used to it.  The engine actually sounds better at 6000 anyway.  Why not go to a larger rear?  I've read here in the past that 16 is pushing it.

[mick750F]

   77/78F came with a 14/43 630 set-up so a 16 is no problem for the front sprocket. If the 14T sprocket works for a 630 chain then it will work for a chain with shorter links as well if not better.

Mike

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Using 530 set up 16 is lowest recommended.Bill

[sangyo soichiro]

You might stand a chance of breaking the chain, which could then break the crankcase, which would cause major pains in the keister.  I have a spare engine that the crankcase was cracked from a broken chain.

[mick750F]

Using 530 set up 16 is lowest recommended.Bill

   Ooops...didn't consider the smaller diameter sprocket to accommodate the shorter link chain in my original post. Sorry for the bad info.

Mike

[ekpent]

Early bikes,750's, had a smaller countershaft sprocket,chains were not as good then and blew many a sandcast and K0 case.If you have a real good running K1(I do   ) then it seems like the old 18 will still get you down the road pretty fast.  

[Gordon]

For what it's worth, I have 17/48 sprockets on my K1 and I'm really happy with that setup.  Very quick off the line but not too buzzy at highway speeds. 

[Triffecpa]

I run 15T front 530 sprockets on my track bikes (CB400F, CB550 and CB750).  Never broke a chain and I don't buy high dollar chains.

Tracy

[73nancy]

good info guys.. i didn't know it had a 18t on it. i mean the bike runs like a champ just now figured out my jet issue from when i bought it with the emgo pods.. now that i have the k&n it runs a lot better.. I'm just looking for some good speed out of it. i keep flipping back and forth with the 17t or a 16t i def don't want to break a chain but i mean it is a nice chain im putting on. have you guys notice a big difference with a change from 18t to a 17t?

[bucky katt]

i'm running a 17/46 set of sprockets with a 110/90/18 tire. at 70mph it's right at 4900 rpm's

[8 Track]

... have you guys notice a big difference with a change from 18t to a 17t?

Definitely peppier, especially at the lower rpm's.

[JS550]

I have a 16/48 on my 75 750k. I dont do a lot of highway miles but the around town light to light I love it. I have had an Ek (or Rk?) 530 X-ring on it since last year with no problems. I think it would be near impossible to break one. Not saying it cant happen, but barring a faulty chain or something really going wrong, I wouldnt worry about it.
Jim

[73nancy]

perfect cause i think the ek x ring should be fine sinces it made for modern bikes with more power... i think i will try the 16t 48t and see how i like it, i want the around town speed more than anything else..

[Sam Green Racing]

Ryan, the only way to find out is to get out there and find out for yourself.
Every body rides differently and no two bikes are the same, try with the gearing you have.
You want it to peak in 5th as you cross the line, if you still have a way to go or have just had to change up before line, you need to gear down.
If it is to livley off the line, gear it up so you peak in 4th across the line.
Make sure all your gear changes are at the same revs, around 8,500, it's no use taking it any higher as the power falls away quickly after that.
Another thing you might want to consider, the use of O or X ring chains on the strip, they can loose you 2 or 3 10ths. Get a cheap heavy duty normal chain and lubricate it with very light oil, maintain it on a regular basis.

Sam.

[73nancy]

ya thanks for the info sam.. i got the x ring chain im probally going to use it for all my riding including the strip. but i figure if i loose a little bit from the chain i can make up for it with some better gearing.. the old 18-48 wasnt cutting it off the line...im going to get some 16t-48t and see how she does...

[mrbreeze]

I read somewhere in here that the early bikes had the 15 tooth counter and it put too much of a bind on the chain which caused the popular case punch.The newer models came with the bigger 18 tooth and the problem subsided.

[73nancy]

ya that was def the case. but people said it was due mainly because of the tech of the chains wasnt there.. so thats why im wondering if a nice modern chain and a smaller front sprocket would be fine.. does anyone also know where i can find a 16t sprocket.. all i can find is a 17t thanks ryan

[City Boy]

Hi.Honda may still sell them.P#23801-300-000.  Rock On

[JS550]

I got my 16t  from TAS. And I might be wrong, older guys help me out, but I thought the problems with the early bikes was that they had 630s not the 530s. THe bigger chain and the smaller sprocket didnt play well together,
Jim

[mrbreeze]

I'm pretty sure the 630 didn't show up till 1977.

[Laminar]

K7/K8 had 630 chains. I converted mine back to 530 (18/45 - keep those highway revs dowwwn).