Need advice on sproket sizes to cruise at 75 - 80, dont care about bottom end...

[chat_max]

just got a xl 1100, 1987 with a 1200 kit, scream eagle carb and air cleaner, vance / hines exhaust,,
She runs real nice,,, tons of jump out from under you bottom end but she is sold out at about 60 or so,,,
I really would like to change the sproket / sprockets to fit my driving style , which is almost all highway,, I would like to cruise comfortable [ rev wise ] and will spend most of my time around 75 - 80 mph,, dont care how much bottom end i sacarfice...

I will need some advice on a good sproket setup,,,

Any advice is much appreciated....

Thanks Much...

[XDixiecratX]

I dont know the sizes on a sporty but keep this in mind rhe lower the number of teeth on your rear sprocket the higher the speed. and not all sprockets are the same ,meaning if you change the rear you may have to change the front. And if your wantin to cruise 75-80 mph you need to trade that Sporty. I got a wide glide and dont cruise that fast.
I just noticed somethin else,you aint paid a visit to the New to the Community page to introduce yourself. Its at the top of the page on the main forum please.

[chat_max]

ok,, wishful thinkin,,,
I would like to run down the highway 70 without screamin the motor,,,,

Originally Posted by XDixiecratX

I dont know the sizes on a sporty but keep this in mind rhe lower the number of teeth on your rear sprocket the higher the speed. and not all sprockets are the same ,meaning if you change the rear you may have to change the front. And if your wantin to cruise 75-80 mph you need to trade that Sporty. I got a wide glide and dont cruise that fast.
I just noticed somethin else,you aint paid a visit to the New to the Community page to introduce yourself. Its at the top of the page on the main forum please.

[Dave63]

How many teeth you drop in the rear, or go up in the front, (generally one in the front equals 3 in the rear) you'll have to watch ho much room you have for belt adjustment.

Running different size pulleys (in your case) can give you too much slack in the belt and you'll possibly be looking at buying another belt as well.

Do you know how many teeth your rear pulley has now?

Your bike's a 4 speed, with trans ratios of:

1st gear: 2.29
2nd gear: 1:66
3rd gear: 1.26
4th gear: 1.00

[chat_max]

OK,, I have a chain,,,
What is the biggest front sproket that will fit on a 1987 1100 XL..?

Originally Posted by Dave63

How many teeth you drop in the rear, or go up in the front, (generally one in the front equals 3 in the rear) you'll have to watch ho much room you have for belt adjustment.

Running different size pulleys (in your case) can give you too much slack in the belt and you'll possibly be looking at buying another belt as well.

Do you know how many teeth your rear pulley has now?

Your bike's a 4 speed, with trans ratios of:

1st gear: 2.29
2nd gear: 1:66
3rd gear: 1.26
4th gear: 1.00

[chat_max]

sounds great
so I can go with a 23 on the front,,
and can you recomend a chain type and length as I have a stock 48 tooth on the back,,,
Do you sell parts also...?
If so can you give me a price and avalability on the front sproket, and chain,,,
Thanks Much !!
Bill

catalina_1200@hotmail.com

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by chat_max

sounds great
so I can go with a 23 on the front,,
and can you recomend a chain type and length as I have a stock 48 tooth on the back,,,
Do you sell parts also...?
If so can you give me a price and avalability on the front sproket, and chain,,,
Thanks Much !!
Bill

catalina_1200@hotmail.com

Yes...a 23 is the max in the front, BUT, where the front bolt boss is, you'll need to shave it a little to clear the chain.

Sorry Bill: I don't sell parts.

You can get the sprocket here. Make sure to get steel, and not aluminum: SPROCKET SPECIALISTS-Sprockets for all makes of bikes.

I dealt with them many times, and they treated me great.

Not sure how many links you'll need, but you can figure that out easy enough with your stock chain, or just do what most guys do, and buy a 120 link standard length, and cut off what you don't need.

Most chains come with both a clip-type master link, and a Rivet-type link. Both are good, but there's a special tool to do the Rivet-type master link, that's about $80 alone.

Make sure you match the sprocket with your rear one, meaning if you have a 530 rear sprocket, you get a 530 front (width) and not a 520.........

Raising to a 23 in the front is supposed to lower rpms by about 10% at 70-75 mph.

[chat_max]

ok ,, Thank You...
Is there a easy way to tell if im running a 520 or 530 chain...?

I can tell you that the setup is stock,,
I have a 21 tooth front and 48 tooth back and the chain says the following on it,,
There is a diamond stamped on the chain every few links,, and inside the diamond it says 148 with a USA stamped directly under the diamond with the 148 numbers in it,,

The master link is the clip type and it says USA with a 50 stamped on it...

If thats not enough info I can get more...
So what is your thought,,,, 520 , 530, or need different info....?
Thanks Again,,,,

Originally Posted by Dave63

Yes...a 23 is the max in the front, BUT, where the front bolt boss is, you'll need to shave it a little to clear the chain.

Sorry Bill: I don't sell parts.

You can get the sprocket here. Make sure to get steel, and not aluminum: SPROCKET SPECIALISTS-Sprockets for all makes of bikes.

I dealt with them many times, and they treated me great.

Not sure how many links you'll need, but you can figure that out easy enough with your stock chain, or just do what most guys do, and buy a 120 link standard length, and cut off what you don't need.

Most chains come with both a clip-type master link, and a Rivet-type link. Both are good, but there's a special tool to do the Rivet-type master link, that's about $80 alone.

Make sure you match the sprocket with your rear one, meaning if you have a 530 rear sprocket, you get a 530 front (width) and not a 520.........

Raising to a 23 in the front is supposed to lower rpms by about 10% at 70-75 mph.

[Dave63]

Originally Posted by chat_max

ok ,, Thank You...
Is there a easy way to tell if im running a 520 or 530 chain...?

I can tell you that the setup is stock,,
I have a 21 tooth front and 48 tooth back and the chain says the following on it,,
There is a diamond stamped on the chain every few links,, and inside the diamond it says 148 with a USA stamped directly under the diamond with the 148 numbers in it,,

The master link is the clip type and it says USA with a 50 stamped on it...

If thats not enough info I can get more...
So what is your thought,,,, 520 , 530, or need different info....?
Thanks Again,,,,

I can gaurentee it's a 530.

520 is used on race bikes because they're lighter. (Less rotating mass)

BUT...make sure YOU order a 530 chain and a 530 series sprocket, and all's good.

The link I sent you caters to racers, so they sell 520 series items as well for the drivetrain.

[chat_max]

I did.. :_)
I actually measured the roller witdt and she was a 530 chain...

Thanks Again...

Originally Posted by Dave63

I can gaurentee it's a 530.

520 is used on race bikes because they're lighter. (Less rotating mass)

BUT...make sure YOU order a 530 chain and a 530 series sprocket, and all's good.

The link I sent you caters to racers, so they sell 520 series items as well for the drivetrain.