Transmission Sprocket
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RE: Transmission Sprocket - 5/10/2008 9:39:06 PM
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piniongear
Posts: 1599
Joined: 2/13/2006
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Running a 24T presents a couple of problems.
First, the thing just barely fits. I have run one off and on over the years, but I always go back to the 23T.
You can get it to fit, but this will require you to grind some aluminum off the main shaft sprocket cover where it surrounds the bolt at the bottom. The chain will hit otherwise. Then you need to add a link to the chain as you say.
The main problem is this: A 24T is just too much gear for most Sportsters to pull. Install it and the first thing you will find is that you have to slip the clutch to get going. The bike will have no zip around town because it is geared too high. Out on the highway, after you have it running 60 mph or more you will like the 24T, but that is the only place you will like it. The trade off is just not worth it to me.
The only way I might put a 24T on is if I am headed out for a thousand mile ride on Interstate highways.
Keep with a 23T as your max. It will rev up a little, but you will have the needed torque down low around town, and I bet most of your riding is done there. Mine is......pg
_____________________________
Rolling down the highway on two wheels since 1957...
Owner Red/White 1971 XLCH & 2003 FXDL-Silver over Black
http://area51.tzo.com/bperry/gallery
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RE: Transmission Sprocket - 5/11/2008 5:34:00 AM
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supr2nr
Posts: 247
Joined: 12/26/2007
From: West Tennessee
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Most of my riding is around town, but it's a "bypass." I say that because it's burden with too much traffic and an average of about 4 to 5 lights per mile. So it's a lot of stop and go, but seeing how it's supposed to be a "bypass" the speed limit is 55. As you know on the stock 21T the low end torque is spectacular, but when you get up to about 65 and the motor is just begging (and I do mean begging!) for a 5th gear. In my opinion it just sounds awful.
This is a really tough decision on what to buy. Too many teeth and you have no power at all. Too few of teeth and you don't really do too much at all, there really needs to be a 22 1/2 for that right in the middle sweet spot!  I suppose since the sprockets are only around $16 a piece I will just pick up a 22 and a 23 and try them both out to see where I want it.
Thanks for the tips piniongear.
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- Randy
The bike.
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RE: Transmission Sprocket - 5/11/2008 5:44:23 AM
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piniongear
Posts: 1599
Joined: 2/13/2006
Status: offline
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Good decision. My money is sitting on you liking the 23T over the 22T, but you need to try both as the cost is small, Let us know what suits your riding best. I can tell you that a 24T is certainly not what you want.
The 23T will give you good low end and ride comfortably at 55 to 60 mph. At 65 mph it will make you want that 5th gear, but everything is a trade off.........pg.
_____________________________
Rolling down the highway on two wheels since 1957...
Owner Red/White 1971 XLCH & 2003 FXDL-Silver over Black
http://area51.tzo.com/bperry/gallery
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RE: Transmission Sprocket - 5/11/2008 1:02:30 PM
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83XLX
Posts: 211
Joined: 11/29/2006
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Don't know what your rear sprocket is, but I replaced my 21 front with a 23 and the bike was borderline geared-too-high with the 48 rear and tall rear tire I was running. A switch to a 49 tooth rear sprocket and 90 profile rear tire is what's working for me now. BTW, the 23 required a little grinding on the sprocket cover bosses for clearance, and I'm running a 108 link chain. Rpm at 70 mph is about 3400 with this setup.
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If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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RE: Transmission Sprocket - 5/11/2008 2:15:24 PM
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piniongear
Posts: 1599
Joined: 2/13/2006
Status: offline
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The old brake drum Sportsters have a 52T rear sprocket. If you had a rear 48T matched up to a 23T on the front I think you were overgeared, and in fact that is what you say.
Your change to a 49T rear is still on the high side for gearing, but it sounds like it suits you. He will have a 23T and a 52T (cannot change rear sprockets on a brake drum Sporty) and will most likely be happy with that.
Again, on a newer Sportster you may need to remove some aluminum to fit a 23T but the old Sportys will take a 23T without any grinding. A 24T will need some grinding done though.
In the end he will have to decide what suits him best, and the only way to find out is hang the sprocket on there and take it for a run..........pg
_____________________________
Rolling down the highway on two wheels since 1957...
Owner Red/White 1971 XLCH & 2003 FXDL-Silver over Black
http://area51.tzo.com/bperry/gallery
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RE: Transmission Sprocket - 5/11/2008 6:24:25 PM
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pyro
Posts: 231
Joined: 11/15/2005
Status: offline
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Hey PG, you mentioned that the older bikes had a 52T sprocket on the rear drum. Mine has a 51T and a search on J&P and V-Twin only yield results for a 51T. Any idea where I might find a 52T ? I have the 23T on the trans and would like that extra little bit of reduced RPM.
Rich
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