16 or 17 tooth....that is the question?

[Mustang]

The 598 front fits all triumphs except bonnevilles and the 600's and is available in 16-18 tooth

the rear sprocket # from sprocket specialists is 2693 for aluminum and 2693s for steel
32-71 tooth for aluminum and 43 tooth only in steel

http://www.sprocketspecialists.com/ProductSearch2.aspx

[Stretch]

But the rear on a Steamer is a 48, and 46 on a Girly... steel sizes that Sprocket Specialists don't list.

Hence, I went to Bike Bandit for the Triumph part.

[Mustang]

I've used the aluminum ones from ss ($$$$)and they work real good , wear is comparable with steel , but lately the steamers get JT steel ones from Dennis Kirk (less money  than SS)

[flux]

Cool, thanks guys.   8)

[flux]

Well, finally got all my parts accumulated in the garage.  Can't wait to see the difference the 17T makes...

[flux]

Holy MONKEY.  I just got done slapping the 17T on there as well as a new chain and rear 46T.  And a new Anakee paired with my TKC80 front.  

That 17T is the ticket, I can tell already, just by running up and down my street a few times.  Top speed be damned, this thing is ready for some offroadin'!!!  

Further report coming tomorrow.

[Stretch]

I had a 17 on mine when I did part of the Tennessee TAT last year... it's good setup for low-speed riding.

[OzTiger007]

I put the 16 on and to be sure it reving a lot harder at highway speed. I didn't actually note it down but I will next time. I bought the 16 & 17. I'll wait untill i've tried a couple of off road passes with the 16 and then switch to the 17 and report back. Most of my riding has off road so not to worried about top speed...although the 16 tooth could make it a long ride out to moab.

[flux]

I was actually pretty surprised at how low the RPMs were with the 17.  I too ride a lot of offroad, but I don't think I will ever try a 16.  I was looking for another gear a few times yesterday, something I never did with the stock 18T.  Still, that just means a riding style adjustment, no big deal.  The 17T for me is perfect.

[JasonS]

I'll be diving into my Tiger over the next few weeks to prep it for a blast to Louisiana and back and also for the 2 month trip this summer...

I'm wondering if the PO of my 06 Tiger had a smaller than stock front sprocket, as I have always felt that it was geared lower than it should be, and my gas mileage has never been above 42 although the faulty water temp sensor could be doing that... I need to get into the basement this afternoon and look at that and remove a foot peg for some measuring...

Given that i am about to put 20,000+ miles on the bike in the next 4 months and that most of that will be non-1st gear riding... although I do want to do some considerable gravel... should I put on a 19

18 is stock right?  

I gotta go look and see if there isn't a 17 on there.

How much of a pain is swapping out the front sprocket?

thanks all!

[Stretch]

It's not hard.  You'll need an 8mm socket to remove the front sprocket cover and a 36mm socket for the sprocket nut.  The 36mm nut is torqued to 97 ft-lbs, so you'll need to put the bike in gear, and a helper to apply the rear brake to keep the engine from turning.

The 36mm nut has a soft steel lock-washer under it, with an edge folded up against one of the wrench flats on the nut to keep it from loosening, so you'll need a drift or an old screwdriver and small hammer to fold the washer back flat before you can remove the nut.

Then loosen the rear axle and chain adjusters and let the wheel slide forward to get some slack in the chain.  Pull the chain off the front sprocket and swap sprockets.

After that, it's just a matter of reassembly and chain adjustment.  The whole thing may take an hour.

[flux]

Yes, 18 is stock on the Girlies.  That 36mm nut pissed me off... I had to go buy one... $17 from AutoZone.  I have never needed a socket that size.  At least they had it in a 1/2" drive.  

I ran a little interstate out of necessity today.

I do not like the 17T at freeway speeds.  Luckily right now I do not get on the freeway much.  

5000RPM at 70mph in top gear.  

I definitely found myself looking for another gear a few times.  But running through the Atlanta surface streets tonight, the 17T was sweet.  And for my mountain and offroad runs I prefer the 17T so far.  Only place I do not care for it is on the interstate, like I said.   8)

[Stretch]

That 36mm nut pissed me off... I had to go buy one... $17 from AutoZone.  I have never needed a socket that size.  

A- HA!  There's a man who has never worked on an air-cooled Volkswagen.

The fan-to-generator nut and rear hub nuts are 36mm.  I've had a 36mm socket since I was 17.  :mrgreen:

[JasonS]

Does anyone have a MPG difference worked out based out front sprocket changes only?

If I am putting 25000 miles( yeah I said 20 before, but I am trying to be realistic)  on the bike in the next few months. 5% better mileage than I have now is 1250 additional miles on the same amount of gas.. OR 25000 miles of travel on only 23730 miles of fuel.....

1250 miles / 45 mpg = $62.50 in gas

Hmm not a lot of cash... an extra two days on the road... hmmmm

Less wear and tear on the engine!

if 17= 5000 at 70 ?? (which is way too high me thinks) but that was with a 47 rear when std is a 47 rear... mah hade is spinnin ma!

what is 18?..

[flux]

Stock rear is 46T, not 47,and 46 is what I have on the rear currently.

5000 RPMs at 70mph is what I saw yesterday with the 17/46 combo.  I will ride again this afternoon and double check it for you though.  

I haven't run this combo long enough to start to figure out the mileage, should be able to get those numbers for you this weekend though.