R.P.M.'s

[trikebldr]

Getting back to the original focus of this thread, not much to update on the final drive project yet. I did get a KZ1300 rear wheel last week. However, after studying the ratios of the Gold Wing 1200, I may go with that rear end system. Slightly (a LOT!) higher ratio. Also uses a 16" tire rather than a 17", so I wouldn't have to buy a new tire for the tests. Just the cost of a new rear 17" tire would offset the cost of a GW final drive, swing arm/driveshaft and wheel. Still got some research to do to see how well they will work.

[trikebldr]

...My 1200 voyager is o.k. at 3200@70.....my 1300 is a bit over 4000@70..(and on trips we ride closer to 80 than 70)...if I could get that 1300 down to as you say ,about 2700@70, I would be VERY happy !

Tony,

I did a quick calculation of the Honda 1200 final drive ratio (2.833) and it would bring your rpm's down from 4000 to 3333 at 70mph. That's almost a whole 'nuther gear range, so it might prevent you from stabbing for another gear. I used to do that, too, unless I had my sidecar hooked on. All else staying the same, would that make you sleep better? The Honda wheel is also a 16", so there are a gazillion choices in tire sizes. Maybe you could get that rpm under 3k with a taller tire. Seems that most of the tire choices for this size bike are 26"-26.5" tall. I did see a few 27.5" tall tires in my searches. A 27.5" tall tire would bring the rpm's down to 3151 at 70mph compared to 3333rpm with a 26" tire.

I've already bought a swing arm from an '84 GW, and have put my bid in on the final drive/driveshaft and rear wheel/tire/rotor/axle from the same bike. As I estimated, all of the parts cost just a bit (about $20) more than a 17" tire for that KZ1300 rear wheel. The tire that comes on that GW wheel is a Michelin. Can't tell what model, so I have concerns about whether or not it's a radial or a bias.

[Lucasind]

Out in the shop this weekend......working on other bikes , I looked over at the big 6, that was up on the center stand,noticing how far this current tire application is from touching the floor surface....I realize that the previous owner ,was going for a certain look when mounting this tire .I started thinking how great it is gonna be to get a TALL tire on the ZN 1300....along with the custom built HONDASAKI final drive sporting a 2.833 final drive ratio. .......At the time I bought this bike ,I talked to the previous owner in great depth about this bike ,( I think that's why he sold it to me for $1450 bucks)(to get rid of me )cause after all ,I am in Toledo OH. and he was in Enfield CT. and asking him ....if you just got this bike "DONE" why are ya selling it ! He told me that he rode it 2 times down to NJ where his brother lived ( who put in half the money) to resurect this 30 year old bike.....and it just wasn't "cuttin it" on the hi-way ! Gotta get it right this time !



*in case your wondering what that fuel tank in the back ground is ...leaning up against the service truck front wheel is....... my buddy was hauling the Suzuki 550 L in the back of his pick-up truck.......He turned left....the bike went right.... his tie down strap "popped" and the otherwise pristine 34 year old bike ...now has a big dent in the tank ! of course ...It shows up in my driveway to be un-loaded and repaired !.....Tony

[trikebldr]

You're such a soft-touch sucker, Tony! I would plant some daisies in the tank and set it on a post on the yard.

Do you have one of those neat little kits for "rolling" dents out of a tank from inside?

[Lucasind]

Ha Ha !. ... No to the dent kit ... mixed a card full of plastic filler (bondo) and slapped it on there ! ...he was supposed to come back here the last couple weekends to do his own sanding...haven't seen him ! you can see the "pink" on the right hand side of the tank,that is the size of the crease the top rail of the pick-up truck decided to modify ! ! .this is gonna get done ,with low budget efficiency !....cause my pay will probably be "chicken wings and draft beer" ...Tony