Author Topic: 14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!  (Read 8595 times)

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wrenchhead2427

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #15 on: June 09, 2004, 03:36:47 AM »
Rick,
    I' am currently running a 16/42 on a KX 500 motor in a 91 KX250 frame. The bike is about 15 to 20 pounds lighter than a stock 500 for that year. It will do around 105 to 110 if i push it but it's hell to hold on at that spoeed without a steering dampner. Try to find someone with a kawi and see if tehy will let you borrow a few sprokets to test out and see what you like.
                                                   Travis

Offline Paul

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #16 on: June 09, 2004, 03:55:14 AM »
The 15/42 I run @ Snowflake will pull to 108 - 110 - clocked on backstretch, you might be better off ditching the 16.

Rick

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #17 on: June 09, 2004, 11:06:40 AM »
Actually, I have a box full of sprockets ranging from 13-15 front and 45-51 rear, both in alumimum and steel.  Since we have spent a number of years racing the National Hare & Hound series, the ISDE Qualifiers, and everything in between, I have run just about every combination of sprockets imaginable on my KX500.

For the 15/45 or lower folks, I just don't want to go that fast anymore.  Worked fine in the high speed desert races, but hey, I'm getting old, and take longer to heal.  

For the folks with the 13/51... :shock:  :shock:... 'nuff said.

I guess I settled on the 14/47 because I don't have to switch sprockets very often to be competitive in the regional series.  Also, since we will no longer race the National Hare & Hound and be switching to the WORCS series, I doubt I will have a real need to go 100 mph anymore.

On the question of power in tight switch corners, I actually found it easier after the flywheel because my rear wheel wasn't all over the place.  I removed the flywheel last weekend because some folks on this forum had noted that they lost way too much power.  Since I had been running my flywheel for over a year, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything.  After my test last weekend, I'll be happy to leave the weight in place.  

However, I do agree that a smaller weight would probably be prefered, but since the 14 OZ. is the only thing on the market, we are stuck with that unless someone wants to experiment with some machining.

In the end, I think the flywheel weight and gearing has a lot to do with the style of riding in which you are most engaged.  Since I switch from mountains to desert from one day to the next, I settled on the 14/47 or 14/48 as the best overall gearing.  In fact, last Saturday, we needed to ride cross country in the mountains to hook into a trail, which required climbing a long, grassy, rocky, steep hill.  The 500 just tractored up the side of the hill with almost no wheel spin or clutch feathering, while everyone else had to resort to tacking up the hill like a sailboat.   :lol:

Rick

toddwunsch

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #18 on: June 09, 2004, 03:23:35 PM »
Well, I ran the 14/49 for a day in Beaumont.  Hill climbing, opening it up on straight aways, etc..  I have experience with 14/47, 14/48, and 15/45.  I like the 14/49 the best.  It just feels like the bike is on steroids.  That's just my opinion.  Oh yeah, I'm past the triple digit mph days.  Too old to hold on..

Rick

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #19 on: June 10, 2004, 02:35:33 AM »
Now, when I get too old to hold on, my wife has instructions to point my walker in the direction of the 500, help me mount my steed, and duct tape my hands to the handle bar... wide open throttle of course.  Incidentally, they have the same instruction if I ever get any of those debilitating illnesses that affect your mind that are too common as one ages.  The only modification in this case is to point big green towards a huge cliff...

Rick

Sharc

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #20 on: June 10, 2004, 06:54:34 AM »
I agree....duct taped to bars and pegs, carb spring UNDER the slide, 5th gear off the south wall of the Grand Canyon....

mikesmith

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #21 on: June 10, 2004, 08:01:54 AM »
Steahly does custom fly wheel weights for a little more $ if any one wants to try a lighter weight.

Sharc

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #22 on: June 11, 2004, 06:51:53 AM »
I've got a 10 oz that came with an Electrix 210 watt lighting coil from Baja Designs. That weight seems just right...

Hogwylde

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #23 on: June 11, 2004, 09:05:43 AM »
Hey kawdude!!!

Watch out with that 13 tooth countershaft sprocket!!  If you run an O-ring chain, it will rub on your case!  (I know from first hand experience.)

toddwunsch

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #24 on: June 11, 2004, 09:34:43 AM »
Yep.  I went away from the O'ring chain for that reason.  Now running DID 520 gold standard.

teamgreen500

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #25 on: June 11, 2004, 02:01:13 PM »
SO...I guess noone has any use for 15/42?
 :twisted:
Manny

teamgreen500

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #26 on: June 11, 2004, 02:03:40 PM »
Send those unwanted 15s to Manny!
BTW, Paul, that's "THE" gearing for a well built/mainted K5

Offline Paul

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #27 on: June 11, 2004, 03:08:56 PM »
For all around gearing I like the 15/47 combo (tight stuff) and the 15/45 (all around good gearing. BUT... when you just have to fly it's time to bust out with the 15/42 :twisted:

Rick

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14 x 49 gearing - HOT...!!
« Reply #28 on: June 15, 2004, 07:58:18 AM »
I'm too affraid of a 42 rear.  Would have to balance the crank and rims.

Doesn't one that small rub on the back of the swingarm?

Rick