Gearing Options?!?!?

[roosed]

Okay, I'm an old school cager gear head. Had a 455 that had tons of torque and puch, especially w/ its 4.10 limited slip. Wound up trading it for a wife and kids...never have been a good trader!!!

Anyhow, given some of the comments about Kats having great top end but being a little soft down low, can the front / rear sprokets be swapped down / up a tooth or two each to punch up the bottom end without prematurely damaging / stretching / binding the chain?

I honestly don't care to ever exceed 100MPH or so but, especially for battling city traffic, punch is very desireable.

A buddy has a WeeStrom that he's swapping down a tooth on the front for a touch more top end without winding the V so tight but I'm obviously interested in going the other way.

Along the same lines...is the Kat's speedo driven off the front wheel & how accurate are they usually?

Please advise.

THANKS!!!

[hardlydangerous]

I believe the pre 98 speedo is driven off the front wheel.

However you can always change the gearing. Going down one tooth on the front will give you a bit more torque and put the revs a little higher and cut a little off top speed, but IMO great for city riding as the bike will get to top speed quicker. A larger rear sprocket is always an option as well and does the same as going smaller on the front or if you really want big gain do both. smaller up front larger in the rear.

[Zepp]

I had 4.11 gears in my car and it made it allow more fun off the line

[arsenic]

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/katana/Katana_sprockets.html

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/katana/45tooth.html