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Chain conversion gear ratio question

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Old Jul 11, 2018 | 08:18 PM
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My16fxdb's Avatar
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Default Chain conversion gear ratio question

I’m sorry if this is repeating a previous thread, I have looked through a bunch of ones and can’t find the info I need. I am looking at converting my 2016 FXDB to a chain final drive so I can change my gear ratio to lower gearing (higher numerical number). 6th was always super tall but since I put my cams in (585c) it’s almost unusable. My engine guy/tuner is recommending a 26 tooth front pulley to avoid any damage to the primary, I see a lot of guys running smaller front sprockets with a chain slider so am curious to hear anyone’s thoughts on this who have actually done it. Also, if I do run a 26 tooth front, how large should I go on the rear sprocket? I definitely want to improve the gear ratio but don’t want a top speed of 80 and a stunt setup. I usually cruise around 85-90 on the freeway and still want to have a good top end, just more useable power throughout all the gears. Any help or insight you guys can provide would be appreciated. Thank you!



 
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Old Jul 11, 2018 | 11:40 PM
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I ride at the same speeds minimum, and I find the stock ratio in 6th gear to be perfect. The engine is humming along at 3200-3400 rpm.

I am assuming you are using the SE 585 cam. If you have not raised the compression, I can see the engine may be struggling at those rpms. I would raise the compression to 10.5 to 1, and I think you will have a completely different animal on your hands.

Dave
 
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Old Jul 12, 2018 | 02:32 AM
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Check out this calculator. I’m going with a 25 front, 52 rear which should leave me close to stock ratio. If you want a little higher #, a 54 rear would work well. The center-center for your bike is 23” I believe.

https://www.rbracing-rsr.com/chainlength.html
 
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Old Jul 12, 2018 | 04:33 PM
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24 or 25 Front tooth( transmission sprocket) and a 50 or 51 rear sprocket with a quality 530 o-ring chain will get you in the ballpark of 90+ mph cruising 9 @ about 3K on the tach ) and lotsa grunt w/those cams .Hope you bought GEAR DRIVEN Cams and got rid of those cam chain tensioners and the chain itself .
 
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Old Jul 13, 2018 | 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by S&S145
24 or 25 Front tooth( transmission sprocket) and a 50 or 51 rear sprocket with a quality 530 o-ring chain will get you in the ballpark of 90+ mph cruising 9 @ about 3K on the tach ) and lotsa grunt w/those cams .Hope you bought GEAR DRIVEN Cams and got rid of those cam chain tensioners and the chain itself .
I am still running chain on the cams, when I go for a full rebuild I'm going to switch to gear driven. I actually want to raise the RPMs in 6th. I'm hitting 6th around 90 at 3200-3400 and my cam doesn't come on until 35-36. To really use 6th I need to be doing 105 to 110 and I just don't hit those speeds that often. I want to lower the gearing (higher number) to hit the power sooner in each gear. They are the S&S 585c not the SE585, different grind on the cams.
 
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Old May 23, 2023 | 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by My16fxdb
I am still running chain on the cams, when I go for a full rebuild I'm going to switch to gear driven. I actually want to raise the RPMs in 6th. I'm hitting 6th around 90 at 3200-3400 and my cam doesn't come on until 35-36. To really use 6th I need to be doing 105 to 110 and I just don't hit those speeds that often. I want to lower the gearing (higher number) to hit the power sooner in each gear. They are the S&S 585c not the SE585, different grind on the cams.
Aye I know this is an older thread but what did you end up with Ive got a 2015 fxdb and Im running 24/51 but sliders keep breaking and my inner primary is pretty chewed up as well, Id like to maybe go up a tooth in the front to help with clearance and I'm wondering what the closest to stock rear sprocket would be.
 
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