850 final swap 150 mile review

[trbig]

No tellin' how many I've got on mine. John helped me put it on a couple engines ago, and I've probably got 60-70k on it with this engine. I've swapped gauge clusters a couple times so I don't know exact. I wouldn't go back to stock again unless it's just all I had until I found another 850 drive.

[James England]

I did the swap quite a while ago and posted enthusiastically here about the results. I still think it's an excellent modification and it feels like the bike is 'happier' with it than without. Also, it really is dead easy to do and completely reversible.

I rode mine for a month or so with the swap. I do think though that this is a modification which is more of interest to people who use their bikes for touring or commuting or who are 100% happy with a relatively sedate riding style which also involves more gearchanges.

After a month, I swapped backto see how it felt. I must say that, love the swap as I do, the bike was much more exciting on the OEM FD. I don't use my bike for touring and I realised that I was kind of gelding a stallion for very little gain and no real reason to do it. It would certainly be different one a tour though.

So, I have all the bits to swap drives easily and left the OEM FD on for my current riding pattern. I would recommend that anyone who does the swap should keep the OEM everything. You may wish to reverse it or do as I do, and use both.....(not at the same time, of course)