Anyone Change Sprockets for Taller Gearing?

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Oct 22, 2009 | 01:54 AM

#11

XLCR4GM

Road Master

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 990

Likes: 10

From: Redondo Beach, California

Nice... Your sled is one Custom that is really a Custom and your "Artsey" friend is a real work of Art in her own right. Just stunning! You should post your handy work in the "What have you made for your Sportster lately" thread so that other members here can enjoy your creativity too! Really nice work I must say. Hey man, our paths may cross a some point as I have been known to blast through the OC every now and again. Until then, Good luck and ride safe out there.

Oct 25, 2009 | 09:10 AM

#12

Gamma742

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 1,561

Likes: 33

From: San Diego, CA

If a Sportster has 29-tooth front and 61-tooth rear belt pulleys (like most stock 1200's), the engine will be turning 2500 rpm at 55 MPH, 2950 rpm at 65 MPH, and 3400 rpm at 75 MPH. Change to a 55-tooth rear pulley (keeping the 29-tooth front pulley), and the engine will be turning 2250 rpm at 55 MPH, 2650 rpm at 65 MPH, and 3050 rpm at 75 mph. This combination should allow for cruising at 65-75 MPH in reasonable comfort.

Bear in mind that by going to taller gearing your bike will not pull as hard off the line. (Fortunately, Sportsters have a lot of low-end torque.) And you will probably need to downshift to pass quickly. On the other hand, gas mileage will increase. A buddy of mine averaged 63 miles per gallon on a 2,000 mile trip riding his 883 with tall gearing. For the person who tours on a Sportster, taller gearing is the hot set-up to quell vibration.

Oct 27, 2009 | 02:28 PM

#13

Bulpitt

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 226

Likes: 5

From: Mar Vista, Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamma742

My 1200L vibrates over 73 MPH. I'd like to reduce that if possible. I like to cruise around 80 MPH but my feet go numb..

I actually just got my bike back after a 5 week service(dont ask) but 1 thing they did was a 29T trans pulley. I must say, IT IS AWESOME!!!!! Ive been calling it the best mod yet. i have a 95 883 & thought the RPM's were too high when i was doing 80. I rode it all weekend & now found a cruising speed of 85-90 to be very comfortable & i even get about 25 more miles out of my tank(2gal peanut)A must if you have an 883 in my opinion, i didnt even loose very much on the low end.
chris

Oct 27, 2009 | 02:35 PM

#14

Bulpitt

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 226

Likes: 5

From: Mar Vista, Ca

forgot to mention, the speedo is off now. Shows 90mph when im actually going 75mph...anyone know of a way 2 get it back 2 accurate?

Oct 27, 2009 | 08:14 PM

#15

moreira72

Advanced

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 65

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From: Clark, NJ

What about a 2001 1200C

I would also like to do the sprocket mod. I have not taken the cover off to count the teeth on my sprocket, but i think the 2001 1200c came with a 29T sprocket?. If so would a 30T make a difference. I'm looking to lower my RPM's at highway Speeds. I have a Tach on the bike and at 75MPH she's running about 3,250 RPM. If i can drop it to 3,000 or less that would be awesome. Any input is appreciated.

Oct 27, 2009 | 11:52 PM

#16

XLCR4GM

Road Master

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 990

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From: Redondo Beach, California

I have a 1999 XL883 and a 2007 XL883 and I put a 30 Tooth transmission pulley on both bikes. It IS the best thing that you can do for your bike after a Stage 1 upgrade to help it out on the highway. Hey Bulpitt, I bought a re-calibration unit from Dakota Digital for about around $100.00 or so for both bikes and it is just a plug and play kind of thing and now both of the Speedos are displaying the corrected actual speed again. Hey moreira72, you are correct about the 29 Tooth transmission pulley being the stock set up. I think that the price of the 30 Tooth transmission pulley from HD is about around $125.00 or so and it will bring down your RPMs a bit. On my 2007 XL883, at 80 MPH I seem to be turning around about 4,000 PRMs or so which is not a problem at all for the engine or for me either as I normally do 500+ miles a day on my bike trips over the weekends. I am not sure what your engine RPM would be turning at 80 MPH as the transmission gearing is a litle bit different between a stock XL883 and a stock XL1200. Plus add the cost of the re-calibration unit to the cost of the transmission pulley to get an idea of the total cost to change out your stock transmission pulley. Good luck with your bikes and ride safe out there!

Oct 28, 2009 | 04:20 PM

#17

Bulpitt

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2008

Posts: 226

Likes: 5

From: Mar Vista, Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by XLCR4GM

Hey Bulpitt, I bought a re-calibration unit from Dakota Digital for about around $100.00 or so for both bikes and it is just a plug and play kind of thing and now both of the Speedos are displaying the corrected actual speed again.

thanks, i will start looking for one. i see you are in redondo beach, i work in redondo & live in mar vista. ill keep an eye out for ya, ride safe
chris

Nov 16, 2009 | 07:19 PM

#18

Joelw5

Stage I

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: Baton Rouge La.

I have a 2005 883C, 30 tooth in front from Belt Drive Limited, 65 tooth in back from Demon Cycles. 1200 jetting, Samson 2 into 1 pipe and a K+N air filter. Original belt works fine. Much more comfortable on the road, but still easy to lug it around town. This gearing should work fine with the 1250 kit from NRHS. We'll see. Coming soon to a stoplight near you!
Hope this helps a little, Good luck. Joel