I have a 2000 800 Drifter. I stuck some louder pipes on it & rode around the block yesterday. Now that the exhaust is louder it makes the high RPMs at highway speeds much more noticeable. While searching through these forums to see what other have done I came across the following post:
Guys,
I have been riding my Drifter for 3 years now and it always felt like it needed a 6th gear. I can't begin to tell you how many times I would try to shift to 5th not realizing I was already in 5th.
My chain was shot I had 17K miles and it strreached out bad in one week after tightening it up from be very loose the 1st time. Anyway, I went to Scootworks and bought the sprocket kit and a new chain and I can't believe the difference. The bike runs so much smoother at 60 to 70 and I never get the feeling that I need to shift. I was worried about initial take off but I really don't notice a major change in initial torc so I'm one happy camper. I highly advise anyone with an 800 to get the sprocet kit from scootworks!
Bart
Has anyone else made this gearing change? If so; does it cause a problem when riding 2 up? The area I live in (North - Central Ohio) is pretty flat. My wife doesn't like to ride that often but I want to be able to take her for rides without having the bike struggle too much.
This is a fairly typical mod for the 800... at least for those who do a lot of two-up highway riding.
Boaski,
I have done the gear swap on the front (drive) and rear (driven) sprockets. 18 tooth front and 38 tooth rear. You will be so pleased that all five gears are now really useable. If you are like me though you will still wish for a sixth gear. Highway speeds are smooth and easy ( 55 mph to 65 mph). Interstate speed are another matter where 75 mph and up have your engine really buzzing even with the gear change, but after all our 800's were not designed as interstate cruisers.
I have a solo seat on my Drifter so I can't provide info on two up riding. I can tell you that of all the mods that I have done to my scoot the gear change has been one of the best.
Happy trails, CDD
Precious metals: A rich man invests in gold, A poor man invests in chrome.
Thank you for the replys.
Where did you get your sprockets? Scootworks only has 18/40 sets.
Boaski,
I purchased my sprockets individually and not as a set. JT is the brand . E-bay is a good place to start. I stayed with the 530 chain and sprocket set up for the additional strength over the 525 set up. I know that you can get 525 chains with a higher tinsel strength, but they get pricey. Best of luck in your search. CDD
I went to the nearest motorcycle dealer today & ordered a 18T front sprocket. About $27 with tax. I did some simple math & found that a 19/40 combination has almost the exact same ratio as 18/38. I've heard a few people say they can fit a 19t front sprocket. I'll try the 18/40 & see how it works. If I need more I'll get a 19t & give it a try.
The chain was replaced last fall but I think it was assembled a couple links too long. As a result it is at the end of its adjustment even though it has new chain & sprockets. That's another reason I'd like to give the 18/40 and 19/40 combinations a try.
Boaski,
I am surprised to know that a 19 tooth drive sprocket will fit. When I put on the 18 tooth on, I had concerns that the cover would go back on with no rubbing issues. I used my stock 530/112 chain with my 18 /38 conversion and the adjustment is a little past half way on the marks on the swing arm adjustment scale. Let us know how the 18/40 works for you. CDD
wats the stock gears, an chain length en size.
I kept the stock chain on. Ordered the sprockets seperately. I run the 18/39 and love it. Live in Las Vegas so mountains all over but am very happy with the response! Also gas mileage is great too! I put over 9000 miles on this "uncruizer?" in the last 10 months. Also run a Harley 1997 Heritage Springer and gotta look into changing that too!!
I stuck the 18T front sprocket on tonight. I'd have to agree that there's not much hope of sticking a 19T in there. As it is with the 18T the chain just barely clears the little rubber doohickey at the front of the chain bay.
Went ahead and installed a new fuel line while I was at it. They made something as simple as that into a little bit of a pain in the butt.
All the tins are out getting a little pin striping done. Also reworking the seat brackets, bag mounts and windshield mounts. Hopefully we're getting closer to starting to put everything back together.
Got the bike back together today. First ride with the 18/38 gears. What a difference - it's what these things needed from the start.
The pin stripes look good. The ebay Indian decals didn't do s well. I had a guy that does this for a living install them & they just wouldn't lay down right in the compound curve at the front of the tank. He scanned one of mine & is going to print some out on the material he usually uses. This bike was repainted 2 tone by a previous owner & the decals I bought were just a touch too big, so he going to print out a set at 75% size.
make sure to post some pics when the decal work is done
I currently run 18/38 Sprockets. Between the wife and I we're about 360 lbs (2/3rds me) and even loaded down with gear it works well. Had 19/37 on last year and it was OK for solo, but that was it.
Also, problems with clearance with 19t, you had to break the chain to remove it or remove the sprocket.
Peace.
19/37? Wow, if that worked well, I would think it would be hard to hurt it at 18/38 or anything close to that.
19/37 should be, what, about 20% different than stock?? You should have gotten, what, around 80 mpg?? ;D