Hitchcocks Forum

Morning Chaps



As winter draws nearer, I'm starting to gather bits and thoughts for the big winter rebuild - which includes building and installing a 612 engine.



Anyone who has a passing familiarity with Slo Poke will understand why anything over about 65 is a bit uncomfortable, so what I'm after is the ability to quickly go from (say) 40 to 70, when popping out to the second lane on a motorway or dual carriageway.



Sooo...finally getting to the question...does anyone have any thoughts on a good front/rear cog combination for these purposes?

Johnny I have fitted a 22 tooth on a couple I have built but depending on where you are riding they could be a bit tall so anything below that is where you can start.I put a 20 on a 570 and that works really well so that only leaves a 21 I haven't tried

Using the standard 38 tooth rear sprocket, I'm presuming, Norm?

Yes Johnny

Johnny what is the base bike you have in mind? I know exactly what you are after. I took the EFI woodsman to the western isles last week and it performed really well on overtakes on A roads from Skye to Glencoe, but I wanted more poke in the range you mention. That said it is always a compromise and it happily transported me 300 miles on Monday in comfort and with enough power for 90% of circumstances. A 500 tourer come plodder is in the garage but I would like a 500 but is not a GT, if that makes sense. A pushrod driven nippy yet tractable and torquey long stroke touring bullet that can whip out from behind a 'Lochs and Glens' coach and snick in before the Audi lunatic on caffeine with the 2x2 family that has driven up from Surrey fills the road space.

Sophia, what I did find with the 570 and a 20 tooth sprocket was that it had that extra bit of get up and go, going up hill I could pull out and get past a truck with ease but at that stage the motor was new and tight and I only did a hundred ks on it to start running it in

Hi Sofia


1996 500 Bullet mucked with so it looks like this (hence the lack of a requirement for 100mph performance):

I run a 612 five-speed and find the 20 tooth ideal, even when two-up. 19t was a bit too low and although I haven't tried 21t, I think it might make 1st gear a bit too high for my liking and top gear too tall when sitting upright.

Thanks Barry.



Further food for thought.