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By ROCKER 59
#14

Having had mostly old british bikes I always found them way undergeared and to do any kind of speed the engine would be screaming its nuts off, so putting a bigger sprocket on was a must  plus the engines seemed to last a little longer. On trying a 2003 500 bullet out I found the same thing, you where looking for another gear. I tried one at Haywards in Cambridge that  had an 18 tooth sprocket on it as oppossed to the standard 17 tooth but I found that it could still do with another tooth being added.  My bullet 500 is now fitted with a 19 tooth gearbox sprocket and the only alteration that has been done to the bike is the addition of a sensable exhaust system, less restrictive airfilter and a bigger  jets in the carb.  I still find it pulls very well in all the gears,  I am 12st, with my clobber on. Just thought some of you might be interested.

By Matt
#9326
I agree, I have actually found this on all the bikes I've ever ridden. I'm 9 stone so I thought it was just because I was light. My current 500 Classic has a bigger sprocket and it works great. (This is the case on all bikes I've ridden EXCEPT the 350 Bullet I had in India with two people and luggage for thousands of miles through the Himalayas. A bigger sprocket would have killed that poor bike!)
By Midge
#9328

I'm sure you're both right, I have an 18 tooth sprocket on my 2000 500 and it still screems its nuts off over (a genuine) 55mph, (indicated 65mph). As I have Mr H's gas flowed head, less restrictive silencer and a S&B filter I think it will pull a 19 sprocket on all but the worst hills. Something else for my wish list!


I doubt if it would manage if it was still in standard set up though.

By Matt
#9332
Where did you get the 19tooth sprocket from? It doesn't appear to be available from Hitchcocks. Is it right that the 500 runs 17tooth as standard?
By ROCKER 59
#9333
Matt, yes The 19 tooth sprocket was bought from Hitchcocks and not long ago. 17 tooth is standard for the 500.
By Matt
#9335
I just went an counted mine and I'm running on a 19 tooth already. I know that the previous owner said he fitted a new one but I had assumed it was the 18 tooth. Interesting.
By Chris REes
#9358
Incidently...the 'Classic' 500 has a 17T sprocket STD, but the Electra X has 18T STD, fitted a 19T to mine, far, far better, a good investment

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