30t pulley. Anyone done it and regretted it?
 

For quite a while I've been tossing around the idea of swapping on a 30t front pulley. I like the idea of better acceleration and making 6th more usable, but I'm not sure I'm going to like the increased RPM at 60-65mph in 5th, which is where I spend most of my time. I've also considered doing the 68 or 70t pulley in the back at the same time, which might make it possible to run 60mph in 6th, but I think it might still be too low of RPM. Not to mention the cost of another pulley.

Right now I run 5th to about 70 then shift to 6th, assuming I'm not climbing big hills.

Anybody do the pulley change and regret it?

The only thing I've regretted has been not also doing the 70t rear at the same time. The 30t helped some but not enough imo.

I'm running the 30/70 combo And i love it!! It definitely ups the bikes fun factor for sure. And I can still cruise the highways at 80-85mph without the engine sounding like it gonna blowup.

I put the 30t on when I did my motor work and recently went back to the 32t. I spend most of my time around 80 and the 30/66 had the rpms around 3400 at 80mph

did the same thing. i don't do alot of highway, but do twisty new england roads. it's perfect for that. if i did highway all the time i would not have done it...lots more low end.. one note . your speedo is gonna be off approximately 10 mph.. 55 shows 65.

So it raised the rpm's by 500 rpm's?
The free wheeler comes with the 30 front and 70 rear. 70mph is 2,800 rpms as where the 32 front 68 rear it is 80 mph at 2,850rpms.
If you do a lot of interstate you may want to stay as is, if you highway speeds are 65 to 70 mph then it will help.
It will wake up the tq for sure.
If a stock engine, mainly. You now no head work, cams etc. you will gain a lot but if it is built you may just spin the tire or do wheel stands.
I rarely ride over 70 mph in most cases but if I do nothing wrong with cruising at 3,500.
looking for lower end power this will do it. I am going to the 30/70 on our ss106 this winter. Can't think about 6th gear unless I am running 75-80mph.

Bang for the buck, one of my favorite mods for sure, maybe my favorite but I sure love my mid controls! A lot of discusion on 6th gear but to be clear the 30T "compresses" your entire gear ratio. I like this because I find it much easier to find a happy gear/rpm for ALL the speeds below about 80mph. For instance, 3rd will be closer to 4th so if you are hanging around 40 - 55 mph it is easier to be at the rpms you like to be at. Only thing bad about the mod is that bit_h of a pulley nut!:icon_evil:

I absolutely love my 30/70 combo! Wouldn't change it for the world. Biggest difference for money spent hands down.

If your not sure definitly do the 30 and ride it. That might be just enough of what you're looking for. You can always easily just add either the 68 or 70 rear later since the hard 30 you'll already have installed.

I got a different path for you that might be a good choice: Buy an Evolution Industries 49T clutch hub(~ $750). This will change your gearing about 6.5% vs 6.0% for the 30T front pulley. The 49T Evo clutch hub comes with a new primary chain but you will need a new clutch bearing and access to a press. The upside to this vs the 30T is a much better/stronger/lighter clutch hub and you will not have to mess with the pulley nut.

Somebody might verify this, but I don't think you have to recalibrate your speedo on a clutch hub swap.

The overall cost will be a bit more but you will be left with a much better clutch hub vs no higher quality parts with the 30T.

No regrets at all.
At 65 mph in fifth gear it's turning just under 3000 rpm. The motor (and I) really like being at those revs, it's a great point in the powerband. With the 32 tooth you're about 200 rpms under that. And in 6th it's just about 2500, right where the power starts to get interesting.