Triumphrat

1funride · 05-11-2007

I have just 400 miles on my 07' America, I love the bike, but I keep finding myself reaching for the 6th gear that isn't there.
Has anyone changed the front sprocket to drop the cruising rpms? If yes what size and what affect did it have on the high rpm, and the ability of the bike to pull off the line.

I am a little concerned about the bikes low end torque to pull a different sprocket. The 1st gear seems long on this bike, and on a hill it seems that a sprocket change could cause a problem with getting going. I weigh 230 pounds.

The bike seems perfect at 50-55 mph, but when pushed to 65 mph the rpms seem a little high, I find myself switching into 5th twice occassionally.

Geoff · 05-11-2007

Going up 1 tooth on the front sprocket is a pretty common mod, some like it some dont. the range is pretty much 17, 18, and 19. I think 18 is stock, but may be different on yours as I am more familiar with t-100.
G

dazco · 05-11-2007

The '07's should all have 18's. Mine ('05) came with a 16, so many of us have indeed gone up. With an 18 like you, i wouldn't want too. I have a 17 plus a 41 tooth rear which is like 2/3 of a front tooth less than having the stock 42/18. So i'm slightly lower geared than a new speedmaster or america. Yet i wouldn't want to go up any more. I think you may find in time that you just have to get used to the bike. These bikes have a feel that makes some people feel like they're running too high an RPM at any given gear/speed. It's just the nature of the motor, maybe has to do with the short stroke, i just dunno. But it'll run 85 MPH all day long with ease. I used to feel the same, but now i'm used to the motor and i feel like at 65 the RPM's are too LOW ! At 85 it feels like the motor is in it's happy range. The only way i'd go up to say a 19 would be if i intended to do a lot of long distance riding at high speed and wanted better mileage. But stop and go will suffer.

1funride · 05-11-2007

Great advice, I will give it some time and see.
I was a bit concerned with adding a tooth, since on some long steep uphills I need to drop it to fourth gear.

I suspect you are right, I am comparing it to a big bore Harley, and the Harley just seems to lug along at cruising speeds, where my America needs to spin a bit more.

dazco · 05-11-2007

Yep. These are low compression short stroke motors and are made to spin. They are happiest at higher RPM's.

dseely1 · 05-12-2007

I have an '05 America and went to a 19 tooth sprocket on it and I love it. No more searching for that 6th gear. Made very little dufference on the low end. I would recommend it to anyone. Was a very easy upgrade to do.

DOUBLEL · 05-13-2007

I added the 19 tooth sprocket also and wouldn't go back. I also added the TOR's at the same time which gave a little more so I haven't noticed any loss of power on the front end and the back end is much better on the highway! I say go for it.

farky · 05-13-2007

I installed the 18 tooth on my 05 america about a year ago. I would not consider going back to the 17. SW pennsylvania riding probably similar to your ny countryside. I would not reccommend the 19 tooth for our area though.

jerry

1funride · 05-14-2007

farky,

I assume you are not recommending it due to the loads of hills. There are a ton of hills around here, some change altitude by 1000' over a mile. You think this will cause problems?

TOMKRILL · 05-14-2007

You guys are no help :???: I read one post and I want a 19 tooth and then the next one and leave it alone- I'm a follower, peer pressure works- now I can't make a decision!! I gotta call my shrink and spend another $175 to find out about a new front sprocket :razz: