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78 KZ650 gearing for Touring/commuting
- DaveKZR
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- Patton
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So I recently purchased my 78 KZ and love it. I bought it with the intention of using it as a touring/commuter. I ride 100 miles to work round trip. The stock rear sprocket is a 42 and the smallest aftermarket I can find is a 38. I just want to check and see if anyone has experience in this. Is it too much of a change? Will I still have decent acceleration? Also I was wondering about the front sprocket. I've heard you can only go up 1 or so teeth, but would it be worth it? Can I change both the front and back?
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Would begin with a one tooth larger front (countershaft) sprocket, and leave the rear (drive) sprocket as is for the time being.
This is usually a simple easy swap, and makes a noticeable difference in lowered cruising top gear rpm, with about same attainable maximum speed and mpg. Also results in slower acceleration.
These engines are designed to spin, and they thrive on it.
Imo, good overall top gearing will barely pull redline.
Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- DaveKZR
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- MFolks
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www.gearingcommander.com
1982 GPZ1100 B2
General Dynamics/Convair 1983-1993
GLCM BGM-109 Tomahawk, AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile (ACM)
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- KawiConvert
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I'd step the front one and use the rear to fine tune it one tooth at a time.
1978 KZ650 D1 ~ Carb jetting: 107.5 & 20 & 4th groove with pods and 4-1 Exhaust
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- DaveKZR
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- OKC_Kent
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Oklahoma City, OK
78 KZ650 B2 82,000+ miles
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