... oh and I understand this may be a more subtle effect than increasing the front sprocket to 16t or decreasing the rear sprocket by a couple teeth. I tried to find the spot with optimal wear.
Wee Sprockets/Chains... yet again...
I have read several threads on changing the gearing of these bikes. I am particularly thinking on fuel economy. I used this tool: ⚡Chain and Sprocket Calculator | RPM and Chain Speeds
I set the baseline with 15t/47t/116 links, and 4500 rpm.
I found that if I go to a 14t/42t/113 links setup, my speedo is within 3 mph of factory. I am also considering moving to aluminum rear sprocket (or maybe a hybrid SuperSprox) with 520 chain. This will shed a slight amount of weight and result in ideal chain/sprocket wear if I am understanding correctly.
Would there be any downsides or "gotchas" with doing/trying this? Is it worth the effort? lol
I set the baseline with 15t/47t/116 links, and 4500 rpm.
I found that if I go to a 14t/42t/113 links setup, my speedo is within 3 mph of factory. I am also considering moving to aluminum rear sprocket (or maybe a hybrid SuperSprox) with 520 chain. This will shed a slight amount of weight and result in ideal chain/sprocket wear if I am understanding correctly.
Would there be any downsides or "gotchas" with doing/trying this? Is it worth the effort? lol
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Open your wallet, it's a wide wide world out there... oh and I understand this may be a more subtle effect than increasing the front sprocket to 16t or decreasing the rear sprocket by a couple teeth. I tried to find the spot with optimal wear.
Where does saving grams on an aluminium metal save anything? A 14T will increase drag on the swingarm plastic, so you can buy another one of those too.
Using a computer will never be the same as real life.
Many have kept the standard rear sprocket and gone up one tooth on the front (16t) to lower the RPM's, none will report a fuel saving, it does not happen on a Wee, they struggle for the HP to pull through the air.
I dropped one tooth from the front (14t) with the extra RPM's I got a higher top speed and saved 0.5lt per 100ks, that is all against traditional thinking but it is my real life.
Many have kept the standard rear sprocket and gone up one tooth on the front (16t) to lower the RPM's, none will report a fuel saving, it does not happen on a Wee, they struggle for the HP to pull through the air.
I dropped one tooth from the front (14t) with the extra RPM's I got a higher top speed and saved 0.5lt per 100ks, that is all against traditional thinking but it is my real life.
Oh nice, TinMan! Thanks. I had not considered the potential for increased friction on the swing arm!
Rolex, did you have any issues with that?
Rolex, did you have any issues with that?
I passed my Wee down to my younger brother many years back, he has now passed it down to his son, they have both stuck with the 14t sprocket and are still on the original swingarm guide.
So, I think I am coming to the realization that there is no need to buck conventional wisdom here just yet. lol. Think I'll go ahead and try the 16t front. Thanks for the input.
The OP had predicated the expenditures for mileage, so I merely pointed out the obvious. Friction. A miniscule increase of drag. I don't like to bend a chain around such a tight radius (14), but that's just me. The 650 family is well engineered for gear ratios so I have never seen need to rethink it. (DL1000 is a mess) I do agree with your experience that reducing load by increasing RPM has merit.I passed my Wee down to my younger brother many years back, he has now passed it down to his son, they have both stuck with the 14t sprocket and are still on the original swingarm guide.
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