I posed my question a couple of months ago on the merits of increasing rear sprocket size - then did nothing about it. :icon_rolleyes: I did add some shorter dog bone links (home made jobs at 84 mm centre to centre). They lifted the bike about an inch I suppose. Add that to the 35mm lift I gave the front end and my bike well suits my height (6'5") plus gives me better ground clearance. (side stand is just long enough but you have to be careful where you park...)

So... now I'm serious about changing the gearing, and going on your advice, Platty, I reckon i'll go with a 47T rear. At least I know it'll fit with the original chain. Anyone else ride with a 47T rear? Keen to hear your thoughts... Again, I'm going for a bigger rear sprocket rather than a smaller front due to the steeper angle of my swing arm now - i.e. a bigger diameter rear will cause less rubbing on the swing arm pivot.

Hopefully, this'll give me a bit of extra power to lift the front wheel more easily in 2nd... would've come in handy over that dodgy cattle grid I hit the other day. I gave it a blip to lighten the front but nothin' happened - nearly threw me over the hangers!

I used a 47T for years, good for wheelies, higher revs on the highway.

check below to work out the changes.

http://www.sprocketcalculator.com/

http://gearingcommander.com/

next step... finding a 47T cog
 

Thanks Kev, for the advice. Sprocket calculator is very handy - this is where I figured that I couldn't fit a 48T with the original chain. I read somewhere earlier that you ran a 47 T sprocket on your X. "Good for wheelies"... I'm sold.

The local Yamaha dude reckons I should replace the front sprocket and chain at the same time if I'm gonna replace the rear - but I've only done less than 3000 km on the current set and I think they're in decent shape so I can avoid replacing the front cog and chain. What do you guys reckon? He's just trying to drum up more business? (...he hasn't seen the bike)

Of course, the Yamaha mob tell me they can't get a 47T cog for my bike anywhere in Australia anyway - it's either 46 or 48 available. I spoke to the guy at ChainGang and they can do a 47T but at $139 it's a bit pricey compared to others (e.g. renthal) that I can buy in from O.S.

Does anyone know where I can pick up a 47T cog in Australia? Does anyone have experience with ChainGang cogs to know if they're worth the coin?
Thanks... Dan

Get you local bike shop to order you in a JT 47T rear sprocket the last one I bought I paid $50.00. No need to replace the chain or front sprocket at the mileage.

http://www.jtsprockets.com/catalogue/model/2520

Thanks Kev... I've contacted a number of bike shops in Oz and this is the common response I get: "The Australian importer for JT sprockets does not offer every single fitment/size that JT make. If a particular fitment/size is not popular then they will not offer it and therefore as a dealer we cannot order it I'm afraid. Unfortunately that is the case with this particular size."

46 and 48 T are available but I kinda think what's the point in going to 46, and 48 won't fit with the standard chain. Anyway, just passing on the story for other Oz riders who might have been considering the upgrade. Who'd have thought I'd be so hard to get a 47 T sprocket? :sad1:

JT used to sell them as I bought a few 47's, 14T sprockets & sent them over seas to a few forum members who could not get that size, never mind I found you one in Oz.

A 47T in Oz, Metal Gear are in Brisbane 3881 0809, I was there on Saturday & they sell to the public, ask for Janina or Danielle. Click on the arrow & select 47T 50-32042-45. they are showing stock

http://metalgear.com.au/view_sprocket_model_details.php?model_id=5602

Kev, you're a champion mate! Thanks for your leg work. I'm following it up!
Dan

I could've PMed Kev on this, but in case anyone else is following then I'll keep it on the forum. I got the 47T sprocket (thanks again Kev for the lead :occasion14:) and fitted it. The chain was tight as a drum on the closest setting so I had to file out the keyway of the swing arm to allow the axle to move further forward (about 3mm) to get the correct adjustment... Not sure whether it was particular to my bike - but there you go, a 47T won't fit straight on with a standard chain!

Anyway, it's a lung-burning 40+ degrees out today so I only took it for a quick ride. I like this gearing a lot better! Can't wait to test it more. Next item to buy - speedo healer...

I liked my 47T

I was out riding yesterday left at 530am & it was already 29C, when I got back from my 360km ride at 1030am the heat was to much for me.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...11/1212013.jpg

I run 14/45 .. 3.2 ratio.. I find it brings the revs just up
past where the worst vibration is , motor runs a lot smoother..
Our speed limit is 100kph so the motors still not overly reving
14/45 puts the revs at 100kph about where they would be at
110kph with the standard 15/45 gearing..
It also makes it a lot easyer to go slow/cross rivers etc aswell
as reduceing the amount of gear changes on tight gravel as the motor pulls
from lower revs with out the shudering it can get with the 15/45 gearing
at very low revs out of tight corners... XT motors don't like pulling from very low revs
in higher gears , DR650 motors are the same...
All up its a far better gear ratio if you are not doing high speed road sections
over 100kph "60mph"... If you want to sit on 120kph "70mph" I would
stay with the 15/45 gearing..