WOW! The okieSPECIAL got the 850 FD today!

[XSokieSPECIAL]

WOW! This mod is really great!

Unless your a racer this is the way to go.

Loss of lower end is almost unnoticable, but cruising at 70mph with the tach at 39 or 40k. That IS noticable. Power through all ranges is sooooooo smooooooth

I can't wait for warmer weather now!


Greg

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Oops!

WOW! This mod is really great!

Unless your a racer this is the way to go.

Loss of lower end is almost unnoticable, but cruising at 70mph with the tach at 39 or 40k. That IS noticable. Power through all ranges is sooooooo smooooooth

I can't wait for warmer weather now!


Greg

I meant 3900 or 4000. My bike doesn't run THAT good.

[XJOK2PLAY]

That's great, Greg! Glad to hear you got it done.

No problems?

Should be a great cruiser now...

[Ivan]

I meant 3900 or 4000. My bike doesn't run THAT good.

Darn, I was hoping for a turbine conversion write up.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

That's great, Greg! Glad to hear you got it done.

No problems?

Should be a great cruiser now...

Went real smoooooth.

Had everything all ready to install an did it at work where I had all the air tools and a lift.

Only took about an hour.

What a difference at highway speed.

No problems yet. Hoping for some decent weather this weekend for a good shake down.

BTW, How are you bro'? You haven't been around ch.11 for a while.

Greg

[XSokieSPECIAL]

Darn, I was hoping for a turbine conversion write up.

Maybe in the next episode.

Stay tuned.LOL

Greg

[tarzan]

So did you use a copper spacer?

[XJOK2PLAY]

I'm still here... too stubborn to give up...

Hopin' we'll get that ride in before it gets too cold...

I'm considering doin' the swap myself. Got access to a good 850 FD. Maybe when it gets too cold to ride.

Thanks for askin', Greg.
Ride Safe.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

So did you use a copper spacer?

Yes, I did. I wanted to see how well I liked it before I spent any more on it.

Has anyone had any problems with that copper spacer?

I don't really see how it could be a problem. Not much movement there to cause wear as far as I can see.

Greg

[Bigfoot]

I'm still here... too stubborn to give up...

Hopin' we'll get that ride in before it gets too cold...

I'm considering doin' the swap myself. Got access to a good 850 FD. Maybe when it gets too cold to ride.

Thanks for askin', Greg.
Ride Safe.

Ride up to KC sometime Bob. Doesn't take long to do.

[XSokieSPECIAL]

I'm still here... too stubborn to give up...

Hopin' we'll get that ride in before it gets too cold...

I'm considering doin' the swap myself. Got access to a good 850 FD. Maybe when it gets too cold to ride.

Thanks for askin', Greg.
Ride Safe.

The XJ has the same gearing as the XS?

Then you will know what I mean about smooth.

You know how it is in the lower gears when you hit that, sort of, power band at about 3 1/2 or 4 grand and the bike kinda lurches?

Not any more. Smooth power like riding a Goldwing.

And cruising at about 40mph in high gear it's almost idling but with that 1100 bottom end there is no bucking or chugging. Smoooooth and comfy.

I love it so far. Still need more road testing though.

You should take a spin.

Greg

[81xsproject]

I like riding 5k at 70; right at the bottom of the BIG power curve. No loss on my bottom end power. You all can keep that final drive swap. It is nothing more than a mental block that makes you think you need to cruise at lower RPM. If I wanted to be slow and run at lower RPM, I'd get a Hardley.

[trbig]

I like riding 5k at 70; right at the bottom of the BIG power curve. No loss on my bottom end power. You all can keep that final drive swap. It is nothing more than a mental block that makes you think you need to cruise at lower RPM. If I wanted to be slow and run at lower RPM, I'd get a Hardley.

Have you ever heard of anyone doing this and not liking it? After the swap, if you like to cruise at the same RPM as before, 4th gear after the swap is dang near identical to 5th before the swap. Besides, very little difference in takeoff power cruising at 4k rpm vs 5k. And if you want the same kick as before.. takes about a 1/4 second to downshift. Then in 5th, it feels like an overdrive, and feels much better when I cruise, but that's usually at 75-80mph on the highway.

Saying there's no way you'd like something and knocking it without actually trying it and having something to base your opinion on... THAT sounds like the mental block.


Tod

[Poprock]

Loss of low end power was my concern. I live in a hilly, curvey, low-speed area now (80 ft. rise in my .2 mile driveway, mts on 3.5 sides) and I really like the 850 conversion. Tod is right, 4th is the old 5th, and 5th is smooth as glass. I can cruise over the Coast Range in 5th behind a bunch of "safe" drivers and get 45 mpg. Maybe better than that now with the newly installed re-manufactured carbs. Kong is making power he's never had before.
Depends on your style of riding I guess. Works for me.

[oseaghdha]

It's easily undone

After putting a season's worth of miles on the new F/D, I don't think I will be changing it back.
Maybe if I get another "road" bike I might put it back to stock but, the only advantage I see is if you want to spend all your time drag racing and scaring old ladies.

My SF still pulls like a freight train and I can still just blip the throttle, drop the clutch, and take off like before.

I find no downside to this conversion.