What did you do to your bike today?

[jwhughes3]

Mike,

I can tell you that Greg's bike has a 750 FD in it and had no issues on the Dragon.

John

[BA80]

FYI Mike, the Special with a 16" wheel and the FD mod is exactly the same gear ratio as a Standard with a 17" wheel without the FD mod.

[jetmechmarty]

FYI Mike, the Special with a 16" wheel and the FD mod is exactly the same gear ratio as a Standard with a 17" wheel without the FD mod.

That being the case, if I had a standard, I'd probably swap to a 16 inch wheel. I'd get more RPM and better tire selection. WIN/WIN!

Hey! Somebody has to play the contrarian around here.

[BA80]

It just depends on what you like Marty. With the mod on my Special I really don't notice a difference except wheelies are tougher and my RPM dropped about 1000 on the highway in high gear.

I can only get about 97MPH in 5th because the engine runs out of poop with the taller gearing but shift down to 4th and it's just like stock gearing in 5th.

120 - 130MPH

Didn't really notice a difference in mileage but I'm certain it's much easier on the engine running 5K @80 than it is running 6K @ 80 all day long.

[MPittma100]

FD Swap

Kinda makes you wonder why Yamaha did not do that to start with? I suppose that they were looking more at the acceleration time than the high gear comfort.

MP

[BA80]

There's an old thread on here about that. It's rumored that the 750/850 FD was going to go on the 11 but in order to claim the bragging rights for the 11 second 1/4 mile they went with the lower geared FD to make it quicker in the short run.

Don't know if it's a fact or not but that's something I've heard over the years.

[jetmechmarty]

My XS650 has stock sprockets on it. The engine makes a lot more grunt at lower RPM than my XS1100 (no stock pipes). At 55 mph, the XS650 runs a 2-3 hundred less RPM than the XS1100. I believe it's all by design.

As for me, I have little use for a superslab highway bike. I rarely ride like that. Lucky me!

[MPittma100]

850 fd

Greg,

That makes a lot of sense. Acceleration times are greatly enhanced with gear changes. I think (unless I was always racing) that the less RPMS at highway speed is a better idea.

IIRC, the 750/850 to the 1100 is not a plug an play switch. Something about a spacer?

MP

[Prisoner6]

It's rumored that the 750/850 FD was going to go on the 11 but in order to claim the bragging rights for the 11 second 1/4 mile they went with the lower geared FD to make it quicker in the short run.

Don't know if it's a fact or not but that's something I've heard over the years.

If it's true, it would make perfect sense to me ...

Back in the late 70's/early 80's, the Big 4 were all clamoring to have the "quickest/fastest" bike on the road ...

[motoman]

There's an old thread on here about that. It's rumored that the 750/850 FD was going to go on the 11 but in order to claim the bragging rights for the 11 second 1/4 mile they went with the lower geared FD to make it quicker in the short run.

Don't know if it's a fact or not but that's something I've heard over the years.

........and it was a win, win for mother Yammy with the Jimmy Carter 'double-nickel' speed limits nationwide with motor right at its most efficient rpm range of 4K.
I would 'push the envelope' back then on LD rides two-up occassionally to 65mph, but back then, always thought above that 4,000rpm range was 'pushin' the motor too hard.
Forward 30+ yrs., think nuttin' of it runnin' a constant 5-5200rpm@80mph hour on end out on the slab. That motor seems happiest in the 4-5K range, with no downshifting needed for passing spinning the stock final drive.

[jetmechmarty]

You're right Motoman! If I'm doing 70 mph on the slab and want to scoot by a truck, I just give a twist. The engine was already running in happy land. This is not a paint bucket piston v-twin. RPM are needed for HP and TQ.

[STEPPENWOLF]

As Motoman said 55 was the speed limit,why gear higher? I have the 750 as a fd now and I do have a little problem remembering what I gear I am in as I always sorrta rode by the feel and rpm of the engine for shifting and cruising.
But I had a '70 650 also,I went with a 39 tooth rear sprocket as I started to keep local with it,port and polish,10 plus Weber cam and a 750 bore kit..quick city bike,no more super slab

[jetmechmarty]

But I had a '70 650 also,I went with a 39 tooth rear sprocket as I started to keep local with it,port and polish,10 plus Weber cam and a 750 bore kit..quick city bike,no more super slab

I tried that too! It was huge fun in town. Then I got a job 50 miles down the road. At 55 mph, I thought that thing was going to shake my teeth loose! Back to stock it went and it's been that way ever since.

[The Lorax]

Today, I adjusted valve clearances. Awesome!
Have a nice day and ride safe

[jetmechmarty]

Today, I adjusted valve clearances. Awesome!
Have a nice day and ride safe

You'll need to put 1300 trouble free miles on her for XS Southeast. Ready?