Wilsons Sandbox

Posted: **Wed Jan 16, 2002 12:05 am**

I was wondering if anyone has changed the sprockets on their bikes to gear them down for better off-road performance? What parts were used and how the performace changed? Jim A16

Posted: **Wed Jan 16, 2002 5:59 am**

Hey Jim, To reply, I ordered for my bike a 14T front and 45T rear steel sprocket, I have not installed them as of yet, (winter set in) however I do expect the smaller front to give me the extra power/slower speed in 1st gear. My first thoughts were they shoulda used a 6 speed box or 5 speed set more like a Trial tranny, first gear is WAY too high for any serious offroad excursions. To me offroad is just that, no road, no trail, no excuse. As for the rear sprocket, 1 extra tooth should really make no effect compaired to the 1 tooth in the front, however I mostly wanted the "Hot Slots" which are grooves at the base of the teeth, that allow mud to squeeze out when in the heavy stuff, instead of packing into the chain. Figured with simple thoughts loose a tooth in the front add one in the back and chain should stay basically some length right ? ( Here where the link counters and experts pipe in ) http://www.sprocketspecialists.com Is where I got them from, prices are fair IMHO, by far the front sprocket will make a big difference to me, this I know. I do expect to loose MPG to drop, and top end to drop, but to me top end is way more than I need as it is. Front sprockets are cheap at $12.99, so its not like an expensive change, can always put the orginal back on. Oh they included a cool Sprocket Specialist Sticker with the rear sprocket. You can use "Gear-Calc" to run the numbers, the un-registered version you have to manually punch all the gearing into, but shows the different speeds in each gear when changing sprocket sizes. If I was serious about the gearing I would register the software, since you can import the settings file for the bike and save changes its nice same as Shim-Calc, but I was just tinkering. Why else do we buy a --- In DSN_klr650@y..., "jim7j7" wrote: > I was wondering if anyone has changed the sprockets on their bikes to > gear them down for better off-road performance? What parts were used > and how the performace changed? > > Jim > A16

Posted: **Wed Jan 16, 2002 6:50 am**

dooden wrote: [...]

> My first thoughts were they shoulda > used a 6 speed box or 5 speed set more like a Trial tranny, first > gear is WAY too high for any serious offroad excursions.

If the bike was designed for serious offroad excursions the Kwaka might have geared it differently. Owners of the 600 series can bask in the glory of their wider ratio spread. Mister_T Melbourne Australia

Posted: **Wed Jan 16, 2002 7:02 am**

I have installed a 14t sprocket, it helps a lot off-road. I hardly use the clutch in the tight stuff- the bike is slow enough in first gear to tractor around or through most anything. It's easier to pop up the front when going over logs, rock piles etc. The bike redlines at 95mph. You could put a 45t rear sprocket on also, even better off-road but wouldn't be very nice on the highway. The only part needed was the sprocket itself, assuming you have the tools to change it. Devon jim7j7 wrote:

> I was wondering if anyone has changed the sprockets on their bikes to > gear them down for better off-road performance? What parts were used > and how the performace changed? > > Jim > A16 > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Posted: **Wed Jan 16, 2002 7:51 am**

Would the stock chain work with the 14/45 setup? If so, I would think having a 14t front sprocket along with 2 rear wheel set- ups (one for dirt & one for road) would be the ulitmate answer. I don't know how much buying an additional rear wheel with a 45t sprocket and a Dunlop 606 would cost though. $500? $800? Brad J. Morris A16 Illinois

> I have installed a 14t sprocket, it helps a lot off-road. I hardly use the > clutch in the tight stuff- the bike is slow enough in first gear to tractor > around or through most anything. It's easier to pop up the front when going > over logs, rock piles etc. The bike redlines at 95mph. You could put a 45t > rear sprocket on also, even better off-road but wouldn't be very nice on the > highway. > > The only part needed was the sprocket itself, assuming you have the tools to > change it. > > Devon > > jim7j7 wrote: > > > I was wondering if anyone has changed the sprockets on their bikes to > > gear them down for better off-road performance? What parts were used > > and how the performace changed? > > > > Jim > > A16

Posted: **Wed Jan 16, 2002 8:21 am**

Yes the stock chain will work with your 14/45 setup. You should be able to find a used wheel for $200-$300. Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com ***NEW*** http://www.canyonlandsmotorclassic.com

----- Original Message ----- From: "bradmorris64" To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2002 6:46 AM Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: Gearing down for off-road > Would the stock chain work with the 14/45 setup? If so, I would think having a 14t front sprocket along with 2 rear wheel set- > ups (one for dirt & one for road) would be the ulitmate answer. I don't know how much buying an additional rear wheel with a 45t > sprocket and a Dunlop 606 would cost though. $500? $800? >

Posted: **Wed Jan 16, 2002 8:27 am**

Wow, it seems a bit excessive to have a WHOLE rear wheel assembly for adding just 1 tooth or 2 teeth on the back end. I honestly can't see 2 teeth on the rear making enuff difference to go through the effort of changing a wheel. (Except Racing) I was ordering the Sprocket mostly for the "Hot Slots" and figured I would move to a 45T to add a bit more power on the wheel. As mentioned the real bang for the buck is the small variance on the front sprockets. Here it has the most dramatic ratio effect. Also $13 vice $45 , Easy Change vice Rear Wheel Removal. Again just my $.02 worth. Duden A15 Pilot

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "bradmorris64" wrote: > Would the stock chain work with the 14/45 setup? If so, I would think having a 14t front sprocket along with 2 rear wheel set- > ups (one for dirt & one for road) would be the ulitmate answer. I don't know how much buying an additional rear wheel with a 45t > sprocket and a Dunlop 606 would cost though. $500? $800? > > Brad J. Morris > A16 Illinois > > > I have installed a 14t sprocket, it helps a lot off-road. I hardly use the > > clutch in the tight stuff- the bike is slow enough in first gear to tractor > > around or through most anything. It's easier to pop up the front when going > > over logs, rock piles etc. The bike redlines at 95mph. You could put a 45t > > rear sprocket on also, even better off-road but wouldn't be very nice on the > > highway. > > > > The only part needed was the sprocket itself, assuming you have the tools to > > change it. > > > > Devon > > > > jim7j7 wrote: > > > > > I was wondering if anyone has changed the sprockets on their bikes to > > > gear them down for better off-road performance? What parts were used > > > and how the performace changed? > > > > > > Jim > > > A16

Posted: **Wed Jan 16, 2002 8:34 am**

But the rubber itself might be worth it I suspose, depending on your riding conditions. I plan on replacement tires being more off-road worthy than on-road worthy, but again most of my riding will be street, dirt , mud and very little highway, other than getting to the mud.

Again just adding another $.01 to my previous $.02. Duden A15 Pilot

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "dooden" wrote: > Wow, it seems a bit excessive to have a WHOLE rear wheel assembly for > adding just 1 tooth or 2 teeth on the back end. > > I honestly can't see 2 teeth on the rear making enuff difference to > go through the effort of changing a wheel. (Except Racing) > > I was ordering the Sprocket mostly for the "Hot Slots" and figured I > would move to a 45T to add a bit more power on the wheel. > > As mentioned the real bang for the buck is the small variance on the > front sprockets. Here it has the most dramatic ratio effect. > Also $13 vice $45 , Easy Change vice Rear Wheel Removal. > > Again just my $.02 worth. > > Duden > A15 Pilot > > > --- In DSN_klr650@y..., "bradmorris64" wrote: > > Would the stock chain work with the 14/45 setup? If so, I would > think having a 14t front sprocket along with 2 rear wheel set- > > ups (one for dirt & one for road) would be the ulitmate answer. I > don't know how much buying an additional rear wheel with a 45t > > sprocket and a Dunlop 606 would cost though. $500? $800? > > > > Brad J. Morris > > A16 Illinois > > > > > I have installed a 14t sprocket, it helps a lot off-road. I > hardly use the > > > clutch in the tight stuff- the bike is slow enough in first gear > to tractor > > > around or through most anything. It's easier to pop up the front > when going > > > over logs, rock piles etc. The bike redlines at 95mph. You could > put a 45t > > > rear sprocket on also, even better off-road but wouldn't be very > nice on the > > > highway. > > > > > > The only part needed was the sprocket itself, assuming you have > the tools to > > > change it. > > > > > > Devon > > > > > > jim7j7 wrote: > > > > > > > I was wondering if anyone has changed the sprockets on their > bikes to > > > > gear them down for better off-road performance? What parts > were used > > > > and how the performace changed? > > > > > > > > Jim > > > > A16

Posted: **Wed Jan 16, 2002 9:45 am**

How difficult would it be to swap/align the rear wheel? Just looking at it, it doesn't look too difficult, but since I've never done it I'm sure there are things I'm not seeing. Once I had both wheels set up, could it be done in under an hour? Brad J. Morris A16 Illinois

> But the rubber itself might be worth it I suspose, depending on your > riding conditions. > > I plan on replacement tires being more off-road worthy than on-road > worthy, but again most of my riding will be street, dirt , mud and > very little highway, other than getting to the mud. > > Again just adding another $.01 to my previous $.02. > > Duden > A15 Pilot

Posted: **Wed Jan 16, 2002 10:07 am**

Changing the back wheel is a lot quicker and easier than changing the countershaft sprocket on the KLRs with single bolt countershafts. It's only "Easy Change" if you have an earlier KLR with the two bolts retaining the sprocket, vs a single high-torque nut on the later bikes. Having a set of wheels for serious off-roading and another set for highway use would be really nice. But, any really serious gearing changes on the back wheel would mean changing the chain length. Devon A15 dooden wrote:

> > Wow, it seems a bit excessive to have a WHOLE rear wheel assembly for > adding just 1 tooth or 2 teeth on the back end. > > I honestly can't see 2 teeth on the rear making enuff difference to > go through the effort of changing a wheel. (Except Racing) > > I was ordering the Sprocket mostly for the "Hot Slots" and figured I > would move to a 45T to add a bit more power on the wheel. > > As mentioned the real bang for the buck is the small variance on the > front sprockets. Here it has the most dramatic ratio effect. > Also $13 vice $45 , Easy Change vice Rear Wheel Removal. > > Again just my $.02 worth. > > Duden > A15 Pilot > > --- In DSN_klr650@y..., "bradmorris64" wrote: > > Would the stock chain work with the 14/45 setup? If so, I would > think having a 14t front sprocket along with 2 rear wheel set- > > ups (one for dirt & one for road) would be the ulitmate answer. I > don't know how much buying an additional rear wheel with a 45t > > sprocket and a Dunlop 606 would cost though. $500? $800? > > > > Brad J. Morris > > A16 Illinois > > > > > I have installed a 14t sprocket, it helps a lot off-road. I > hardly use the > > > clutch in the tight stuff- the bike is slow enough in first gear > to tractor > > > around or through most anything. It's easier to pop up the front > when going > > > over logs, rock piles etc. The bike redlines at 95mph. You could > put a 45t > > > rear sprocket on also, even better off-road but wouldn't be very > nice on the > > > highway. > > > > > > The only part needed was the sprocket itself, assuming you have > the tools to > > > change it. > > > > > > Devon > > > > > > jim7j7 wrote: > > > > > > > I was wondering if anyone has changed the sprockets on their > bikes to > > > > gear them down for better off-road performance? What parts > were used > > > > and how the performace changed? > > > > > > > > Jim > > > > A16 > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

Wilsons Sandbox

brake pads oops! (nklr)

gearing down for off-road

gearing down for off-road

gearing down for off-road

gearing down for off-road

gearing down for off-road

gearing down for off-road

gearing down for off-road

gearing down for off-road

gearing down for off-road

gearing down for off-road