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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: nofearblackstar on August 08, 2008, 02:18:49 PM

Title: Gearing question
Post by: nofearblackstar on August 08, 2008, 02:18:49 PM
Ok i got my bike with a box of stuff and i just went threw it today and got two front sprockets and one rear

So then i opened the bike up to see what its got on it right now

It has a 42 in the rear and a 15 in the front

in the box i have a 14 and 16 for the front and a 39 for the rear
I just want to make sure i have this right . By adding teath in the back it is the same as droping teath in the front right ?

and the lower the front the more bottom end power i will get ?
Also would droping to a 14 in the front with the 42 in the rear be to low ? My riding is mostly in town and wont be moving to the freeway for some time so im not worryed about top speed just like having that get-up and go kinda power for now
Title: Re: Gearing question
Post by: beRto on August 08, 2008, 02:28:29 PM
You can test the theoretical effect of different gearing combinations with the gearing calculator available on the wiki:
http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Main/GearingCalculator
Title: Re: Gearing question
Post by: Chef GS500f 06 on August 08, 2008, 02:41:43 PM
I'm running 15 in the front and 42 in the back and I could really tell a difference in pick-up after I installed them.
Title: Re: Gearing question
Post by: nofearblackstar on August 08, 2008, 04:14:44 PM
thats what im running right now . also with a 120 rear tire . I think i might take some time and switch it back to stock just so i have something to compair it to seeing as ive never tryed it with anything diffrent. Is it a pain to change out the front?
Title: Re: Gearing question
Post by: DoD#i on August 08, 2008, 04:20:30 PM
Got  pair of snap-ring pliers? If not, they simplify the job and can be had cheap.

If it hasn't been opened in a while and anybody used greasy chain lube, the first time you open the cover up it can be VERY filthy.

Other than that, dead easy. With a pair of snap-ring pliers and a chain that's been waxed, could be just dead easy.
Title: Re: Gearing question
Post by: Chef GS500f 06 on August 09, 2008, 09:20:23 AM
No, both sprockets are easy to install. I'm running a 160 tire on a Katana wheel and the pick up is still there. I didn't notice any loss by putting a wider tire and wheel on the back, actually helped tremendous with the handling.