Topic: chain/sprocket/tire question

[75cb550 (kyle)]

ok, i looked in the FAQ's and didnt quite find what i was looking for.
i'm going to be going with a 130/90/16 rear tire and i want to go with a smaller rear sprocket to help a little on highway riding. also about time for a chain so i thought i would get em all together.
     1. what size sprocket should i look at?
     2. what chain length?
any help, is appreciated..
 

[75cb550 (kyle)]

...bump

[75cb550 (kyle)]

bumpity...
just kind of looking for an idea on what tooth and where to find a sprocket for this thing...

[underachiever]

not knowing what size sprocket you already have makes this a bit more difficult. If we assume you have a 17/37 on your 550 now, then the easy choice is the 34 rear from the earlier 500's which ran 17/34. With a 17 front you'll need 98 links. There aren't a lot of other choices without going custom and you can only lengthen your gear so much. Remember these bikes make their power at high rpm's. They ain't big twins.


tony

[75cb550 (kyle)]

i'm sure it's 17/37... ill check for sure. at 70mph, i was a 6k... maybe that just seems high to me. here in oklahoma, there arent many hills. just straight shots... if the 34 rear can give me a little more room on the highway, ill try it...

thanks underachiever

[333]

also about time for a chain so i thought i would get em all together.

Extremely important to do them all at one time.  A worn chain on new sprockets(or vice versa) will wear the new parts in about 10% of their normal life.

[Gordon]

You're gonna kill the bottom end acceleration if you go with a smaller rear sprocket, and the 550 is already a little sluggish in that area in stock configuration, IMO.  I actually went the opposite on mine and put a 16 tooth on the front to give it a little more torque off the line, and it's still fine on the highway.

[MaaseyRacer]

Kyle I wish I looked at the sprocket and tire size on that wheel that I sent you.  I believe the tire is a 130, not sure what the rear sprocket it. 

[Raef]

in my experience, even with some engine upgrades, my bike (76 550) runs out of HP before it runs out of gear. I was thinking of putting a 16 on the front.

A little off topic, in short what causes the tight spot in the chain, stretched or worn chain. mine has a noticeable tight spot in it. is this cause to change both sprockets and the chain? The chains is showing some wear, sprockets look nearly new

Mark

[75cb550 (kyle)]

Kyle I wish I looked at the sprocket and tire size on that wheel that I sent you.  I believe the tire is a 130, not sure what the rear sprocket it. 

thats kool Eric. we'll see what when it gets here. sorry about all that shipping mess by the way

[75cb550 (kyle)]

ok. so i got the wheel yesterday. the rear sprocket is a 34 tooth. i have a 37 on there.
any suggestions on what brand chain... im sure that's been addressed before.
if i decide to go with the 34, do i just need 3 links less on the chain?

[westondc]

i replaced the 17/34 sprockets and chain on my 72 cb500 last week. I couldnt figure out why my bike had no balls and chugged up hills and against the wind. Without knowing it i bought a 37 tooth rear sprocket. Wow what a difference. I got lots more power, acceleration and better gas milage. The original sprockets and chain were in piss poor shape but i think the new 37 rear sprocket helped alot. I didnt notice much difference in the rpms im running now on the highway. I dont know if the extra 50cc from the cb550 would give it much more power than the cb500, i would say stick with the 37 tooth sprocket.

[westondc]

I bought a saphire chain make by the daimand chain co. from Rusty Riders. Great quality chain compaired to the parts unlimited chain i bought from a local dealer for the same price. The p.u. chain didnt even come with the clip for the master link! oh and im pretty sure that i measured and used 98 links in the chain on both 34 and 37 sprockets. By the way, whats the difference in rpm and power from a small less toothed sprocket compaired to a larger sprocket with more teeth?

[75cb550 (kyle)]

thanks weston... yeah i've rode her on the highway a few times now and am starting to get used to it a bit... i may just stay with the 37. there is some slight wear on my old sprocket. the 34 i got is in a little better shape.. good news is, if the chain is the same i can swap between the two if i dont like the 34...
so it's a 98 link chain.? kewl...
and to answer your question, i havent put pen-to-paper, but less teeth on a driven gear will give you lower rpm at higher speed than otherwise. however, in return you loose bottom end acceleration.

[75cb550 (kyle)]

okay,17/37 gives you roughly 2.17:1 ratio, 17/34 gives you 2.00:1. you could change the front sprocket as well. the other variables are the gearing of the transmission and rear wheel height.
so, if at 70 mph, you're at XXXXrpm with the 17/34 setup, then you can calculate the difference for what you would be at with the 17/37 setup.
..sorry, i started rambling. (reminds me of manual transmission class in college)

[westondc]

so kyle, are you useing used sprockets with a new chain? i would reccomend replacing the sprockets with new ones if your putting on a new chain. i picked up a set of 17/37 for cheap at http://www.z1enterprises.com/. the local honda dealership wanted $60 more to order them for me.

i'm wondering what type of tank youve got on your CB550 in the pic?

[75cb550 (kyle)]

i was mulling it over. my rear sprocket has a little shark fin but the 34 is straight and square... i have read it's best to replace as a set though.

as for the tank... its a pre-'75 HD sportster Mustang tank. broke down and bought it to get her on the road after my tank was trash... it was $100. i just did not want to buy a used one from someone else and run the risk of it being just as bad... brand new tank and petcock... it's pretty nice. plus i think it looks alright as well

[75cb550 (kyle)]

hey weston, you dont have link to that chain you bought, do you?
thanks...

[westondc]

here's the same one i bought http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-530-Motorcycle-Chain-Honda-CB350-CL350-CB360-CL360-/350350017443?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51927d03a3

I've read a lot of posts on the forum reguarding which brand of chain to buy. Diamond Chain Company seems to be the top pick but cost to much $ for my wallet. this chain is a Diamond Chain Co. product, says it on the package. like i said, it cost the same as the POS chain i bought from the local Honda dealership but this one is much better quality. i've also heard that rusty riders is a good place for parts. if you didnt already know, dont use an O ring chain on your CB. it will eat the cases.

you'll have to remove a few links in this chain, i used a chain breaker from harbor freight for $7

[75cb550 (kyle)]

thank you sir... that is cheap. and it's good quality? im probably going to get that next week and both sprockets. weston, you've been a huge help
thanks again