sprocket swaps

[CDNRatMan]

  Driftwood:
Around here I cruise all day at about 70 to 75 mph. Not a problem, the bike runs awesome. I cannot say enough positive things about the benefits of said conversion. Well worth the funds spent.

[Driftwood]

Hey thanks for broaching this subject.  I, too wondered if there shouldn't be one more gear as the engine seems to be working too hard to get to 70.  I'll try those sprockets.

[RockinRollin]

When I powder coated my rims I took the dampers out, I do not think they were tight.

[CDNRatMan]

   might want to think of the rubber dampers as tires after awhile they just need to be replaced.....

[Troll]

Along these same lines, I was experiencing a "clunk" over bumps in the rear of my 1500. I tightened everything I could find, and it remained. Last fall, I was checking out the rear tire pressure and pushed on the fender. It moved...not much but it moved. The bolts were all tight from the fender into the mounting bracket, so I surmised it was the rubber inserts. I ordered 4 of them and replaced them (they were quite worn) during the winter. Almost 200 miles now with NO NOISES!!!! Rubber parts are cheap and are wear items...1500s have a dampner in the rear wheel, too, just not the same as an 800, but the same idea.

[CDNRatMan]

  Uncle Ronny,
I can only go by what the local Kaw mechanic passed on to me. I was experiencing some noise and clunking in the rear end of the bike. I thought it was the chain at first. If you look at the pictures there was really not that large a movement on the hub, it was more of a "I can feel it when I twist it" rather than a visual indicator. Since then I have talked to the local Kaw mechanic and then ones in Sudbury. Both said the samething. Not sure how it adapts to a shaft drive, but they told me that with the the chain drives......you take the wheel and tilt it over a bit and if the hub slides out the dampers are worn. When I did that the hub just came right out......lol....ordered new ones.....results
I put the new rubber in the hub, went to put the hub on....WRONG......it was really tight, had to take my time and use a rubber mallet to get the hub to go on and slide down......now no movement at all.....

[RockinRollin]

Well I didn't realize that the dampers are worn if the wheel hub comes apart too easily. I will check it next time I do a tire change out.

[dkeshish]

Well there you go......really simple order it and be ahead of the curve.....

always so quick to pull the trigger my friend.

[CDNRatMan]

  Well there you go......really simple order it and be ahead of the curve.....

[dkeshish]

Well my son.......a lot depends on your present chain.
How old is it?
What shape is it in?
What type of chain is it?
If you are going to replace the sprockets it sort of makes sense to replace the chain, if it is a new one then you can get away with not replacing it.......

pumppy10 I would just order a standard length for the 800 Drifter and if need be remove the odd link......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/322197255654 comes with the chain

[CDNRatMan]

   Well my son.......a lot depends on your present chain.
How old is it?
What shape is it in?
What type of chain is it?
If you are going to replace the sprockets it sort of makes sense to replace the chain, if it is a new one then you can get away with not replacing it.......

pumppy10 I would just order a standard length for the 800 Drifter and if need be remove the odd link......

[dkeshish]

pumppy10 if the fiche is correct they are 2 different parts, the 800 is 92160-1697 and the 1500 is 92075-1121, I have never seen the damper off a 1500 so can not say for sure but I am betting they are two separate animals.

Mr. California......order your parts from Scooterworks and when you get them let us know, the twins might be riding the bike by then.....I should not cast aspersions on ScooterWorks as I have never tried to get anything from them.
I can say that once you make that swap you will be pleased with it

you've been trying to convince me to make the change for a while now. I'm just a little confused on the chain portion. New chain? No new chain? How long? Etc etc it's like going purse shopping with a woman. By the time she's done you are no longer sane....

[CDNRatMan]

pumppy10 if the fiche is correct they are 2 different parts, the 800 is 92160-1697 and the 1500 is 92075-1121, I have never seen the damper off a 1500 so can not say for sure but I am betting they are two separate animals.

Mr. California......order your parts from Scooterworks and when you get them let us know, the twins might be riding the bike by then.....I should not cast aspersions on ScooterWorks as I have never tried to get anything from them.
I can say that once you make that swap you will be pleased with it

[dkeshish]

I did mine because GreenBarn threatened me with a beating if I did  not do it. I did the front first then the next winter the rear, huge difference in highway riding at top speed. I notice nothing detrimental in the low speed range. I am also running the same sprockets as our grass man from OR is. I also went to an X ring chain. You will be saving yourself some grief and time if you pay attention to the dampers at this time also. You will also notice a huge difference in throttle response if the dampers are worn.
To test them once the rear wheel is off the bike with the wheel on the ground tilt it to the side, see if the hub slides out. If it slides out or is loose then replace the rubbers. The hub should fit nice and tight.

sprockets will be something I do as well... I hear scootworks has a good set and if you place an order you will get it by next Christmas lol

[pumppy10]

is it true the 800 and 1500 use the same dampener?

[pumppy10]

I see there are a couple of choices on the length of the chain, short of removing and counting links how else can i tell the length?

[CDNRatMan]

  I did mine because GreenBarn threatened me with a beating if I did  not do it. I did the front first then the next winter the rear, huge difference in highway riding at top speed. I notice nothing detrimental in the low speed range. I am also running the same sprockets as our grass man from OR is. I also went to an X ring chain. You will be saving yourself some grief and time if you pay attention to the dampers at this time also. You will also notice a huge difference in throttle response if the dampers are worn.
To test them once the rear wheel is off the bike with the wheel on the ground tilt it to the side, see if the hub slides out. If it slides out or is loose then replace the rubbers. The hub should fit nice and tight.

[OR Seedman]

18/38 Sun front sprocket/JT rear sprocket; both off of Amazon.  My chain only had 3500 miles on it, so kept it as is.  Did not need to remove a link, either.  Spent a good amount of time aligning the rear wheel so the chain travels smoothly and straight between front and rear.  Seems a lot less noisy with the new sprockets.  Total time - 1 1/2 hours start to finish...

Results - I really like the way the bike runs now at 60 mph and over.  No noticeable loss of low end power, either....this really should be the factory setup...

[pumppy10]

I have done a lot of reading on here about the 18 and 38 tooth sprockets some have swapped to and have decided since i am also always seeming to look for another gear i figured it is the way to go. Any recommendations on which brand? I will be doing both sprockets and a new chain since i will be in there, also if the rubbers in hub look like they might need attestation anytime soon they will also be taking care of while it is apart. Who and where did you guys get yours from and are you happy with the quality, price and service from supplier?