Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum
Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet Iron Barrel => Topic started by: hutch on July 25, 2007, 01:30:51 am
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I was just wondering if anyone has changed the 17 front countershaft sprocket to a 18 on their Iron cyclinder bike. I changed my Savage from belt to chain to reduce the gear ratio and it had plenty of take off and didn't need heavier clutch springs, plus it cruises the interstate at 80mph at a moderate rpm. I have a workshop manual on the Bullet classic and can't believe they tell you how many teeth are on every gear except the rear sprocket. Now it is not that I am lazy, but due to medical condition I can no longer roll the bike and set on the floor to count teeth. I took off the center stand due to not being able to pick the bike up on it for the same medical reason. My hoist is tied up with a Triumph in pieces, so if someone could tell me the number of teeth on the back I would appreciate it. What I really would like to know is if anyone has went to the 18, and if it turned the bike into a dog for take off. I have been changing and playing with gear ratios on cars and bikesfor years ,so I know the trade offs, I just need to know if anyone has done it, and how it performed. Thanks Hutch
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Hutch- I had the 18 th put on my 2003 b4 delivery. If you do much town driving it will put your shift points more in line with the speed limits. Take-off involves just a little slip of the clutch but that is all. The heavier springs or a washer under 3 will help....
I would say on the top end of the scale it gives you another 5 MPH b4 strain. If you live in a hilly or moumtainous area the 17 may suit you better. I'm here in the flatlands of central Illinois.
- Mike
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I have the 18 on mine - makes the bike a tad faster - only thing with it, is the chain hits the gear selector shaft, changing down.. Doesn't do any harm, just makes a noise.
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I was just wondering if anyone has changed the 17 front countershaft sprocket to a 18 on their Iron cyclinder bike. ...... What I really would like to know is if anyone has went to the 18, and if it turned the bike into a dog for take off. Thanks Hutch
Hutch,
I, like many others, changed to an 18. I don't think it makes much difference in the lower gears but under many conditions like wind, hills, etc, I feel like it doesn't pull enough RPMs in 5th. Understand that I'm a big guy, 6 foot, 230. When time comes to change sprokets I think I'll go back to the 17.
Just my 2 cents ;D
Leonard
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Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the info. The Savage has the 8.5 compression and higher torque like the Electra and It worked out great on it. I thought that with the lower compression and torque on theClassic it might not work out so well. I guess I will just have to buy a new Electra(what a shame) for higher cruising speed, and use the Classic for secondary roads. The Savage already fits the bill, but I would rather sell it and have 3 Enfields counting my 67 Interceptor. Once again, THANK YOU all Hutch
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Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the info. The Savage has the 8.5 compression and higher torque like the Electra and It worked out great on it. I thought that with the lower compression and torque on theClassic it might not work out so well. I guess I will just have to buy a new Electra(what a shame) for higher cruising speed, and use the Classic for secondary roads. The Savage already fits the bill, but I would rather sell it and have 3 Enfields counting my 67 Interceptor. Once again, THANK YOU all Hutch
1967 Interceptor...... one of the fastest English bikes ever made.......ran the quarter in the 13s real close to 100 mph..........top speed of 130 mph. All of this according to period road tests. Oh yeah, did I mention that they were prettier than the Triumphs and BSAs. The finish was better, and those big chrome mufflers were really "cool". Dew.
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1967 Interceptor...... one of the fastest English bikes ever made.......ran the quarter in the 13s real close to 100 mph..........top speed of 130 mph. All of this according to period road tests. Oh yeah, did I mention that they were prettier than the Triumphs and BSAs. The finish was better, and those big chrome mufflers were really "cool". Dew.
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They made em to be Norton killers, and that they did well.
They tend to last a little longer if you don't thrash em though. Back in the day a friend of mine had a 69 Interceptor. 3 clutches-2 gearboxes and a tweeked swingarm later he just pushed it out to the road on garbage day. Big Mistake.
There was a 1970 series 2 Interceptor on Angie's list a few weeks back, just down the road from me. A rare bird indeed.
CJ
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Yup, I found a 67 and a 70, but didn't like the way RE changed the motor in 1968 and 1/2 . It looked to much like a Triumph motor with the heart shaped right side cover. When ever I thought of a RE I always saw the big square brutish looking bottom end where the timing chain is ,in my mind. They looked that way forever for the twins. I guess that is why the new Electra kinda doesn't look like an Enfield motor to me. I guess I am just a purist. The picture of the new bike I saw in another post just turns me off completely. I already have a Suzuki Savage, and that motor in the new RE looks like its cousin. I have a picture of the Interceptor in the members bike page .I already snapped the speedo cable when it hit 120mph. It hauls butt with my skinny 150lb frame on it. I waited a long time for that bike, it looks good setting next to my 05 Classic in green(SNKIZ). Hopefully I will be getting rid of about 4 bikes(69Triumph chopper,68 BSA 441 Shootingstar, 2002 120hp Custom,) and if I sell the Savage I might replace it with the Electra, if I ever get used to the lean burn look. At least the bottom end of the Electra looks close to the original. I even plan on going to the right side shift on my Classic and the Electra if I decide to get one. Even though it cost $160 more than the regular partern, I want the shift pattern, 1 up, and the rest down like an Enfield is suppose to be. I just hope it has the foot lever to find nuetral too. That is what I like about the Classic, it looks original. Everybody copied the Harley look, all the cars on the road look the same, listen to the radio and all the songs sound the same. We have become a society of clones, I like distinctive. Don't ruin the RE. India are you listening. Yup, I'm a purist. Hutch
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What I really would like to know is if anyone has went to the 18, and if it turned the bike into a dog for take off. I have been changing and playing with gear ratios on cars and bikesfor years ,so I know the trade offs, I just need to know if anyone has done it, and how it performed. Thanks Hutch
My 2005 ES w/performance kit 1 has the 18 tooth installed. My plan was to use any increase in power to give me lower RPM at higher speeds. The result is very pleasing indeed! Earl, ace mechanic at C&L Cycles (Maryland), has pronounced it the best possible gearing after a test ride. Now if I could just figure out how to keep the oil inside the engine at higher speeds...
Yrs,
Bill
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My dad had a Interceptor, along with a BSA Lighting Rocket, BSA Gold Star, Triumph Mountain Cub and the truly ugly (but I wish I had today) MV Augusta Touring Bike.
Liked the Enfield the best by far. That's why I bought myself one as a retirement present. Traded in the gold watch. I'm retired what do I need a watch for, stupid retirement gift
Enfield is much better.
By the way what do you want for the 441, I always wanted one!
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My dad had a Interceptor, along with a BSA Lighting Rocket, BSA Gold Star, Triumph Mountain Cub and the truly ugly (but I wish I had today) MV Augusta Touring Bike.
Liked the Enfield the best by far. That's why I bought myself one as a retirement present. Traded in the gold watch. I'm retired what do I need a watch for, stupid retirement gift
Enfield is much better.
By the way what do you want for the 441, I always wanted one!
I am not sure if the bike you picture in your mind is the 441 I have. I will try to post a picture. The model I have was new for 1968. The BSA company made a 250cc Starfire street bike and the 441 Victor scrambler with the chrome and gold or chrome and blue tank with the tucked in high pipe. The American market liked the 250cc Starfire, but wanted more power. In answer BSA took the proven 441 Victor motor and put it in the 250cc frame and renamed it the Shootingstar. The tank and side covers are composite not metal and it was pretty fast I imagine. The reason I say this is that I bought the bike from Vancouver and had it shipped by rail to the Canadian side of Sault St. Marie Michigan. All I have done so far is stuff and cover seat, polish and paint. I still need to re chrome fenders and parts . I haven't even tried to start it yet. It is a future project. I won't sell anything until it is running perfect. Just the way I am. Hope the picture shows up. Hutch
(http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2007/06/13/bikepics-930903-800.jpg)
That worked, wonder if I can post the 1967 Interceptor picture. Here goes.
(http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2007/06/13/bikepics-930937-800.jpg)
Now all I need to do is get the Interceptor spiffed up a little. It runs great.
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Neat photos! Both look like fun.
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I even plan on going to the right side shift on my Classic and the Electra if I decide to get one. Hutch
I'm kind of toying with that idea too. Some how it seems all wrong to be shifting with my left foot. Sort of like drinking ice cold Guinness.
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I need to get me one of those Interceptors..
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I need to get me one of those Interceptors..
There was one on e-bay last week. It was completely retored and the highest bid was $5000. People on e-bay always want something for nothing. Baxters Cycles in Indianna sold one for $9500 2 years ago. Another went for $11,000 at the mid america bike auction. The highest bid I got on my hotrod was $6000 on e-bay. I put it on the cover of the Auto and RV swapper and sold it for $10,000 in 4 hours. The guy with the Interceptor is in my home state and belongs to the Interceptor home page like me. It is not a very active forum, but i could try to get ahold of him if you want me to. You know he wants more than $5000. I had a guy offer me $7500 for mine and I wouldn't take it, and mine aint even finished. I wanted that bike in 1967 and it took me 39 years to get it. Let me know if you want me to try to get a hold of the Interceptor owner. It might take awhile if at all. Hutch
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I have no money until January - I only get paid twice a year.. :)
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I have no money until January - I only get paid twice a year.. :)
wOW, I thought monthly was bad. I would be setting home 9 months doing it your way. OUCH!!!! Hutch
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Yes, it is a bit annoying - but kind of good - My Lady gets paid monthly, so that deals with the food, and such, I get paid twice a year, which pays for the big stuff.
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Is it possible to go to a smaller sprocket on the wheel instead of a larger one on the counter shaft? Or both?
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II'd do the 18 toother if I was you... Maybe 2 hours if you are keeping everything clean and you'll like the reward. It will give you shift points that are closer to in-town speed limits and maybe another 5mph on the speedo in that "happy place"
- Mike
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Is it possible to go to a smaller sprocket on the wheel instead of a larger one on the counter shaft? Or both?
The sprockets are cast into the drum. I know of a guy that bought a machine sprocket and turned the inside out of it, turned the sprocket off the drum and welded the new one on. I don't think it's worth the hassle myself.
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I used to have a bike that had a chain. I have seen lots of bikes with chains. I have also seen teeth on sprockets worn & hooked, requiring sprockets to be replaced. How is that accomplished at reasonable expense with the RE? Or, is it a specially hard sprocket that just doesnt wear out?
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A fact of life with a Chain drive, is the sprockets wear out. Change the rear hub, and you've got a new Sprocket. I can't remember changing one on my old Oily, but changed one on my BSA, and two on the Matchless. (I really rode that bike hard)
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Here in the UK you can get specially-made half-width or full-width hubs for the RE. The hubs are machined to take a separate, bolt-on sprocket. The standard has 38 teeth, but there are also 42, 46 and 50-tooth versions for those who want to lower the gearing.
Tom
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That is good to know, Tom.. I wonder if there is a way to get them over here.. I am thinking of putting a cozy onto one of the bikes I will be buying, and a lower gearing would be good. I want a trials kit too - lowering that gearing would be fantastic - crawling around with plenty of revs is always better for observed trials.