[FnMag]

Well I finally got my chain and this morning I took the rear wheel off, replaced the stock sprocket with a 47 tooth and replaced the chain.



When I was all done, I took it out for a spin around the neighborhood. In the back of our subdivision, they have paved a new road but have not begun work on any houses yet. I wrung her out with some acceleration runs and I must say I am more than impressed with what a difference the 47 tooth made.



There is a sink hole/severe weather pond type thing where some of the other neighbors have made trails to and 1st still has plenty of low end to get through the muck.





I'm a

camper !!!



So a big thanks to all those that have helped me with my numerous questions.

 

[poweber]

I'd sure be interested in another follow up to see how you like the 47T sprocket and how it performs, especially if you have some hills on the roadways. I have some moderate hills here in East-Central PA and it kinda' lugs a little with my fat-a** (205 lbs) on the seat anyway. I've been contemplating that mod for some time now.

 

[Rohnsman]

I recently changed my sprockets and chain and put a stock 14 tooth front and 47-tooth rear. It's pretty subtle, but I think I probably am getting about 5 mph more at the top end. 1st and second gear still have plenty of low end torque. Out on most streets around town I'm still in third or even fourth gear by the time I'm across an intersection as I pull away at a stoplight. You'd have to really get pretty radical with your sprockets before you'd kill the trail-bike characteristics of a TW and you're never gonna make it a real "street bike" (nor would I think you'd want to).

 

[pgilles]

I really like my 47t. It feels like the stock 50t without as much buzz.

 

[Rohnsman]

I really like my 47t. It feels like the stock 50t without as much buzz.

I'd agree with that. It's subtle, but noticeable. I'm glad I switched.

 

[srs713]

I changed to 15/47 shortly after buying my bike. I liked having more time in 1st gear rolling away from stop lights. But I felt I'd lost just a bit too much torque. Head winds were kicking my butt.



So when the stock chain wore out & I got my O-ring replacement, I switched to 15/50.



I've only ridden a dozen miles or so with these sprockets, so I don't have a good feel for them yet. But reving out in first still lets me get moving before needing to shift. So I think I'll like it.



My 15/50 is VERY close to 14/47 so should be about the same performance.

 

[qwerty]

I changed to 15/47 shortly after buying my bike. I liked having more time in 1st gear rolling away from stop lights. But I felt I'd lost just a bit too much torque. Head winds were kicking my butt.



So when the stock chain wore out & I got my O-ring replacement, I switched to 15/50.



I've only ridden a dozen miles or so with these sprockets, so I don't have a good feel for them yet. But reving out in first still lets me get moving before needing to shift. So I think I'll like it.



My 15/50 is VERY close to 14/47 so should be about the same performance.

I was also not real happy with 15/47 sprockets I put on when facing a long stint of highway only use. I went to 15/54 on the next set since I was going to be doing a lot of dualsporting. Now I alternate between the 54 tooth for dualsport use and a 50 tooth for the street. For me 15/50 is a lot better on the road than 15/47.

 

[pgilles]

I changed to 15/47 shortly after buying my bike. I liked having more time in 1st gear rolling away from stop lights. But I felt I'd lost just a bit too much torque. Head winds were kicking my butt.



So when the stock chain wore out & I got my O-ring replacement, I switched to 15/50.



I've only ridden a dozen miles or so with these sprockets, so I don't have a good feel for them yet. But reving out in first still lets me get moving before needing to shift. So I think I'll like it.



My 15/50 is VERY close to 14/47 so should be about the same performance.

I was also not real happy with 15/47 sprockets I put on when facing a long stint of highway only use. I went to 15/54 on the next set since I was going to be doing a lot of dualsporting. Now I alternate between the 54 tooth for dualsport use and a 50 tooth for the street. For me 15/50 is a lot better on the road than 15/47.

Agreed on both. I had tried the 14/44 (3.14 vs. 3.13 for 15/47) and did not like it and I run the streets. Lost too much torque, 5th gear wasn't useable for any extended amount of time.

 

[FnMag]

Well, after my ride the other day, I have to say that I am happy with my decision to go to the 47 tooth rear sprocket. I don't have many hills down here in SE Alabama, but the ones that we do are usually pretty long ones and the TDub did just fine with my fat ass on it !

 

[wrench-puller]

Hey Mike, glad you like the set up. I am very pleased with my 47T and I do lots of both on and off road with both steep trails and highway slopes. How did you make out with the chain, that 120 fit OK? Don't forget the master link has to go on in one direction only as per the instructions.... yeah it did come with those. The closed end of the link lock should be to the rear on the lower side of the chain so if you get stuck in the gravel or mud you dont push it off. Anyhow, just wanted to say hi and glad you liking the gear choice.

 

[FnMag]

I appreciate your help. Yes, the 120 fit great. It snugged up at 1.5 on the chain tensioner (not too tight, not too loose).

 

[bdubwendt]

Can anybody chime in on a 14/45 setup? I do about 90% street and 10% trails. Most roads I'm on are relatively flat. Looking for a bit more out of the top end but don't want to be down shifting to 4th every time I hit a hill.

 

[pgilles]

Can anybody chime in on a 14/45 setup? I do about 90% street and 10% trails. Most roads I'm on are relatively flat. Looking for a bit more out of the top end but don't want to be down shifting to 4th every time I hit a hill.

I don't think you'll like it. Look in the above posts, I've ran a 14/44 (3.14 ratio) and it struggled. Other posters above commented on the 15/47 (3.13 ratio) and didn't like it. A 14/45 (3.21 ratio) could still be too high. But then again, others on the forum have probably used it successfully.



I think it comes down to what speed you want to run. If you want to lower the rpm's at 55mph, than a 45t rear might be great. If you want to get above 70mph than it's not the right choice. But that is only based off my experience and some reading I've done on the web.



I have a 44t that I'd be willing to sell you if you really wanted to try it.

 

[Gene Bond]

Mine had a 14/45 on it, and the 50 was lose, when I got it.



I do 80% on / 20% off road, and it seems fine. I rarely need to double-clutch it, and there's enough torque to get me up any hill I dare (240lbs).



It even got both me and the wife back up the hill at Bristol after the race this past weekend, in the mud, the blood, and the beer

I thought about tryine the 50t sprocket, but I am happy with the speed and vibration level at 50mph now. I don't want the rpm's any higher on the road.

 

[Hendragster]

Hi BDUB. I'm using 14/45T on my bike. I do more street than off-road and I'm pleased with the performance. It goes to 60 mph easily but still got the torque you need to climb a hill. I think if you do more street and a little light off-road 14/45T is still good for you. But if you never go off-road riding 14/44T will be better (it screams less).

Cheers...

 

[srs713]

Finally got some pavement time with the 15/50 & O-ring chain last night. Good acceleration at the lights. First still usable. And lots of torque left over in 4th & 5th. Went out on surface streets & came home on the by-pass. Got up to 60 easy and kept it between 60 & 65 up & down the overpass hills.



I think another tweak in the carb is next. Larger main jet & just a bit more shim on the needle. See if I can squeak another 1/4 or 1/2 horse out of it. Maybe an extra 5 MPH at the top?

 

[Camelrider]

In some country's the TW was sold standard with 14/45 sprockets, that's how I did the last 40 000 km. No problem at all even going uphill with a passenger.

Now I have a 15/47, mainly for street use and it looks fine to me, so far only 1000 km on it.