two sprocket or not two sprocket

Lifanrider · 02-25-2008, 04:21 PM

I am going to order a rear sprocket tomorrow from Bruce. He will be able to get me either a 42 or a 40 tooth. my current setup is 17 46 I believe (know the rear is 46 assume the front is 17 like others have said)
Most of my riding will be street...probably 90% of it. Other riding will be light trails..nothing extreme (not even close)
what would be the best option? a 40 tooth or a 42...and will i need to modify chain for either.
and if I wanted trail use, what would be a good front sprocket and how easy is it to change?
I guess I want a compromise and I hate having my bike at 7000 rpm for any length of time.

fatboy250 · 02-25-2008, 04:27 PM

How fast are you able to go with the current 46 sprocket?

katoranger · 02-25-2008, 04:28 PM

I would get the 42. Going to high will cause more stress on the clutch/trans/chain at take off. I have a 45T and I don't think I would go any lower. Running at 7K isn't a big deal.

A 15T will give a lower than stock ratio for off-road use. Or in the case of my bike close to stock.

Allen

Lifanrider · 02-25-2008, 04:32 PM

I've hit about 65 on the bike indicated which is probably more like 60 in real world..but thing is I don't want to go faster, just want less rpms.

katoranger · 02-25-2008, 04:39 PM

I run at 8K all the time. I just don't think that you are going to gain much by going lower. You may actually lose because the engine will not pull the tall gear. Now I no others have use 40T and been okay so you can probably go that high and still be fine. Espicially on the street. Just need to give a little push from a dead stop.

Allen.

mebigdave · 02-25-2008, 04:46 PM

I've tried a few combinations and found that the 17/46 is the best for the bike. When I have a head wind I find that I soon run out of power. With a tail wind I can get up to 125km/h. I travel 130km per day on my XY200GYE so wind vs. power is important. You are still going to need some power in 5th or you will have to gear down to 4th and then be revving the hell out of the motor to maintain the cruising speed of the other vehicles on the road.

I would say, stick with the stock 17/46 and put the money into good riding kit.

Lifanrider · 02-25-2008, 04:46 PM

Thanks guys.

AZ200cc · 02-25-2008, 04:47 PM

Seems like You're ok right now, But if You get one I would get the bigger option.

Lifanrider · 02-25-2008, 04:51 PM

Now I am torn.

culcune · 02-25-2008, 05:01 PM

The 46/17 combo seems like it would be the best bet to keep, IMO. When the GY-5 came out a year and a half or so (in the US, at least) it had the best street combo, or at least that was the consensus here. Of course, I am no expert, etc., and this is just my opinion, but I would keep it stock.

chrism1 · 02-25-2008, 05:01 PM

Do the 42 and get the new chain with it.Bruce will send you a precut chain.Then if you're not happy just change it back to original.he sent me the 42 and im happy with it.i just wanted to bring the rpms down a bit also.

TeamCheap · 02-25-2008, 05:56 PM

I still have the stock 17/46 sprockets on mine and could go down to a 40-42 if I wanted and I think the bike would be ok on the road(pretty fast).

But thats after having done the air filter and exhaust pipe and rejet.
The pipe made a huge difference on the low end torque but it is a bit louder I dont run it much on the road at top end to notice any change.

ambassador · 02-26-2008, 12:12 AM

LifanRider,
I started with the typical 17/46 combo, great low end but 1st gear is almost non-existent (shifting to 2nd in the middle of a traffic light, while turning off blinkers, making a turn, in a school zone, etc...) So I went to a 42 rear, much broader in the 1st/ 2nd gear ratio seemed to open up the bike to alot better on-road gearing and I really liked it... So I figured why not try a 38(keep in mind that i'm 5'8" & 140#'s) Really broad gearing, NO you dont have to give the bike a push, a 200cc engine will handle it from the get go just fine... Long story short, I sold my 42t to a member here, he now rides a Honda and my sprocket has seen a very nice ride through Canada on his old China bike and I have received it back (Thanks Bro) as this is the combination that I think is perfect for ON-ROAD riding, I have switched back to the 42t and I still ride trails but have really cut back on my backflips(Kidding).. Works great for both...

As far as the short end goes, I tried all 3 sprocket combos with a 17t and a 15t front, the 15t is too small and will rub your chain guide and swingarm raw, the bikes not meant for it, all I can say about that...

BTW, I have a 15t and a 38t rear for sale...

Lifanrider · 02-26-2008, 07:54 AM

yeah my first gear is pretty much non-existant as well. I reckon I'll just buy the 42 and if I don't like it, I'll just switch back. For the price Bruce quoted, its an experiment worth doing. Besides, it will give me an excuse to tinker and that is probably at the root of it all. On another note, I've seriously considered buying some Jade-Orange paint and doing all my plastics with it. I am pretty damned good with a can of paint. I once painted my entire '73 Buick Electra 225 (coupe) flat black. It looked positively diabolic...but got about 8 miles per gallon (455 4bbl and I had a lead foot). errr..i am rambling again.

IronFist · 02-26-2008, 11:03 AM

Hey zap.
I'm the member that ambassador is talking about.

1st, I agree with the previous threads, all of them, and darn glad I didn't have to type all that. :?
2nd. Like big dave said you may run out of power fighting the wind, but if you've got the cash to try it, go for it, I recomend it, if you got the cash.

I got my 17T front sprocket from a different member here. He likes green homes (thanks bro.):wink:

02-25-2008, 04:21 PM	#1
Lifanrider Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 96	two sprocket or not two sprocket I am going to order a rear sprocket tomorrow from Bruce. He will be able to get me either a 42 or a 40 tooth. my current setup is 17 46 I believe (know the rear is 46 assume the front is 17 like others have said) Most of my riding will be street...probably 90% of it. Other riding will be light trails..nothing extreme (not even close) what would be the best option? a 40 tooth or a 42...and will i need to modify chain for either. and if I wanted trail use, what would be a good front sprocket and how easy is it to change? I guess I want a compromise and I hate having my bike at 7000 rpm for any length of time. __________________ 2007 Lifan GY-5
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02-25-2008, 04:27 PM	#2
fatboy250 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: COLUMBIA, SC Posts: 973	How fast are you able to go with the current 46 sprocket? __________________ 2008 Jonway MC-70-150 2007 Roketa DB-07B (RSM-200E) 2006 Roketa DB-07A (RSX-200E) 1995 Kawasaki Concours (ZG1000)
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02-25-2008, 04:28 PM	#3
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I would get the 42. Going to high will cause more stress on the clutch/trans/chain at take off. I have a 45T and I don't think I would go any lower. Running at 7K isn't a big deal. A 15T will give a lower than stock ratio for off-road use. Or in the case of my bike close to stock. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
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02-25-2008, 04:32 PM	#4
Lifanrider Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 96	I've hit about 65 on the bike indicated which is probably more like 60 in real world..but thing is I don't want to go faster, just want less rpms. __________________ 2007 Lifan GY-5
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02-25-2008, 04:39 PM	#5
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I run at 8K all the time. I just don't think that you are going to gain much by going lower. You may actually lose because the engine will not pull the tall gear. Now I no others have use 40T and been okay so you can probably go that high and still be fine. Espicially on the street. Just need to give a little push from a dead stop. Allen. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

02-25-2008, 04:46 PM	#6
mebigdave Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 196	I've tried a few combinations and found that the 17/46 is the best for the bike. When I have a head wind I find that I soon run out of power. With a tail wind I can get up to 125km/h. I travel 130km per day on my XY200GYE so wind vs. power is important. You are still going to need some power in 5th or you will have to gear down to 4th and then be revving the hell out of the motor to maintain the cruising speed of the other vehicles on the road. I would say, stick with the stock 17/46 and put the money into good riding kit.
	0

02-25-2008, 04:46 PM	#7
Lifanrider Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 96	Thanks guys. __________________ 2007 Lifan GY-5
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02-25-2008, 04:47 PM	#8
AZ200cc Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Show Low Arizona Posts: 2,889	Seems like You're ok right now, But if You get one I would get the bigger option. __________________ <br />2001 Suzuki DR200SE<br />1997 Suzuki RM250 YIKES<br />1995 Yamaha Breeze 125 daughters<br />1991 Honda XR80r Restored<br />maybe a 2003 Yamaha TTR90
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02-25-2008, 04:51 PM	#9
Lifanrider Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 96	Now I am torn. __________________ 2007 Lifan GY-5
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02-25-2008, 05:01 PM	#10
culcune Join Date: May 2006 Location: Yuma, Arizona Posts: 9,056	The 46/17 combo seems like it would be the best bet to keep, IMO. When the GY-5 came out a year and a half or so (in the US, at least) it had the best street combo, or at least that was the consensus here. Of course, I am no expert, etc., and this is just my opinion, but I would keep it stock. __________________ "They say that life's a carousel, spinning fast you got to ride it well..." TGB Delivery Scooter 150 TMEC 200 Enduro--carcass is sadly rotting in the backyard
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02-25-2008, 05:01 PM	#11
chrism1 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bevely Hills,Florida US of A Posts: 138	Do the 42 and get the new chain with it.Bruce will send you a precut chain.Then if you're not happy just change it back to original.he sent me the 42 and im happy with it.i just wanted to bring the rpms down a bit also. __________________ Lifan LF200GY-5
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02-25-2008, 05:56 PM	#12
TeamCheap Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: directly under the earths sun............NOW Posts: 2,302	I still have the stock 17/46 sprockets on mine and could go down to a 40-42 if I wanted and I think the bike would be ok on the road(pretty fast). But thats after having done the air filter and exhaust pipe and rejet. The pipe made a huge difference on the low end torque but it is a bit louder I dont run it much on the road at top end to notice any change.
	0

02-26-2008, 12:12 AM	#13
ambassador Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 1,200	LifanRider, I started with the typical 17/46 combo, great low end but 1st gear is almost non-existent (shifting to 2nd in the middle of a traffic light, while turning off blinkers, making a turn, in a school zone, etc...) So I went to a 42 rear, much broader in the 1st/ 2nd gear ratio seemed to open up the bike to alot better on-road gearing and I really liked it... So I figured why not try a 38(keep in mind that i'm 5'8" & 140#'s) Really broad gearing, NO you dont have to give the bike a push, a 200cc engine will handle it from the get go just fine... Long story short, I sold my 42t to a member here, he now rides a Honda and my sprocket has seen a very nice ride through Canada on his old China bike and I have received it back (Thanks Bro) as this is the combination that I think is perfect for ON-ROAD riding, I have switched back to the 42t and I still ride trails but have really cut back on my backflips(Kidding).. Works great for both... As far as the short end goes, I tried all 3 sprocket combos with a 17t and a 15t front, the 15t is too small and will rub your chain guide and swingarm raw, the bikes not meant for it, all I can say about that... BTW, I have a 15t and a 38t rear for sale... __________________ 06 Lifan 200 GY-5
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02-26-2008, 07:54 AM	#14
Lifanrider Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 96	yeah my first gear is pretty much non-existant as well. I reckon I'll just buy the 42 and if I don't like it, I'll just switch back. For the price Bruce quoted, its an experiment worth doing. Besides, it will give me an excuse to tinker and that is probably at the root of it all. On another note, I've seriously considered buying some Jade-Orange paint and doing all my plastics with it. I am pretty damned good with a can of paint. I once painted my entire '73 Buick Electra 225 (coupe) flat black. It looked positively diabolic...but got about 8 miles per gallon (455 4bbl and I had a lead foot). errr..i am rambling again. __________________ 2007 Lifan GY-5
	0

02-26-2008, 11:03 AM	#15
IronFist Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Ontario Canada Posts: 2,585	Hey zap. I'm the member that ambassador is talking about. 1st, I agree with the previous threads, all of them, and darn glad I didn't have to type all that. :? 2nd. Like big dave said you may run out of power fighting the wind, but if you've got the cash to try it, go for it, I recomend it, if you got the cash. I got my 17T front sprocket from a different member here. He likes green homes (thanks bro.):wink:
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