How to install your 13T sprocket - Page 4

rjmorel · 01-08-2016, 02:22 PM

I think for the riding you do Willydog, the 13t would be a big improvement. I tried it and still rode down the interstate all day long at the 65mph speed limit. MPG went south to middle 50's. But the 13t really made a difference when going on gravel fire roads and up hills. I switched back to 14T when knowing I'll be on the highway lots. rj

willy dog · 01-08-2016, 02:36 PM

thank you found answer on early posts think i will start out with 13ft and 44 r see how that works thanks again

SpudRider · 01-08-2016, 03:15 PM

As usual, Rob gave you good advice.

I think you will enjoy the 13T/44T sprocket combination.

RedHawk47 · 01-08-2016, 03:58 PM

One thing missing from the chain adjustment instructions:
Put the transmission in neutral while adjusting the chain. If you don't do this you may have some slack in the upper run which would mess up your true chain tension.

rjmorel · 01-08-2016, 05:20 PM

Good advice Redhawk47, never even thought about that little detail, rj

Weldangrind · 01-10-2016, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHawk47

One thing missing from the chain adjustment instructions:
Put the transmission in neutral while adjusting the chain. If you don't do this you may have some slack in the upper run which would mess up your true chain tension.

Good thinking!

Gaijin · 07-04-2019, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by detours

Tools Needed

8mm socket - countershaft sprocket cover bolts
13mm socket - outside axle locknut
13mm open ended wrench - inside axle locknut
18mm socket - left side axle bolt
19mm socket - right side axle nut
30mm socket - countershaft sprocket nut
Large flat blade screwdriver - countershaft sprocket safety washer

This is a fantastic tutorial, thanks for taking the time to write it up!

One thing I have to point out -- this was apparently written for earlier models; on my 2018 the countershaft sprocket nut requires a 32mm socket.

dannybiker · 07-04-2019, 04:32 PM

Has anyone raised the gearing? There's lots of talk about lower gearing for off road riding and I totally get this, but I'm not sure if I can stand the high revs all the time on the road for ever.

Keeping up with the traffic sees my bike living around 7500 and this is tiring and noisy. I can redline the bike in top on any flattish road and so wondered if it was feasible to replace the rear sprocket with something smaller thereby raising the gearing and making the whole thing a bit less frantic.

I'd appreciate your thoughts

Gaijin · 07-04-2019, 05:36 PM

Well, you can certainly do exactly that. CSC sells rear sprockets in a variety of sizes, from 42 to 46 teeth. Dropping to 42 teeth should lower your RPMs by almost 5% at any given speed.

calvarez · 07-05-2019, 12:54 AM

The lower gearing is for road riding. I almost never go off road. The bike is much more rideable on the highway with the 13t sprocket. The choice is between holding high RPM or losing speed all the time because the motor can't pull the gearing.

rjmorel · 07-05-2019, 01:46 PM

So I geared mine up when I rode the Iron Butt 1000 I did a few years back. Totally worthless on the roads I rode because to many hills and wind. Oregon, Idaho. I was always downshifting into 4th or 5th to get over hills or get out of traffics way. I think I went down 2 teeth on the rear sprocket.
On level ground it may be OK . Stock 6th gear is almost overdrive and I found the stock RX3 geared about as high as I would want to go IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS. YMMV

If someone needs a rear sprocket to gear it up and give it a try...……..hows $5 plus shipping? I think it's a 42T but would need to dig it out and confirm. rj

ddilink · 11-10-2019, 10:54 AM

I looked everywhere to find the proper chain tension. Not in the owner's manual. Finally found it here. Thanks.

01-08-2016, 02:22 PM	#46
rjmorel Join Date: May 2007 Location: Warshington Posts: 928	I think for the riding you do Willydog, the 13t would be a big improvement. I tried it and still rode down the interstate all day long at the 65mph speed limit. MPG went south to middle 50's. But the 13t really made a difference when going on gravel fire roads and up hills. I switched back to 14T when knowing I'll be on the highway lots. rj __________________ Live Zong, and Prosper
	0

01-08-2016, 03:15 PM	#48
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	As usual, Rob gave you good advice. I think you will enjoy the 13T/44T sprocket combination. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

01-08-2016, 03:58 PM	#49
RedHawk47 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Berthoud, CO Posts: 205	One thing missing from the chain adjustment instructions: Put the transmission in neutral while adjusting the chain. If you don't do this you may have some slack in the upper run which would mess up your true chain tension. __________________ Dan CSC RX3 Cyclone, CSC TT250, Moto Guzzi V7 II, KLR650
	0

01-08-2016, 05:20 PM	#50
rjmorel Join Date: May 2007 Location: Warshington Posts: 928	Good advice Redhawk47, never even thought about that little detail, rj __________________ Live Zong, and Prosper
	0

07-04-2019, 04:32 PM	#53
dannybiker Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 26	Higher gearing? Has anyone raised the gearing? There's lots of talk about lower gearing for off road riding and I totally get this, but I'm not sure if I can stand the high revs all the time on the road for ever. Keeping up with the traffic sees my bike living around 7500 and this is tiring and noisy. I can redline the bike in top on any flattish road and so wondered if it was feasible to replace the rear sprocket with something smaller thereby raising the gearing and making the whole thing a bit less frantic. I'd appreciate your thoughts
	0

01-08-2016, 02:36 PM	#47
willy dog Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: vermont Posts: 238	thank you found answer on early posts think i will start out with 13ft and 44 r see how that works thanks again
	0

07-04-2019, 05:36 PM	#54
Gaijin Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 85	Well, you can certainly do exactly that. CSC sells rear sprockets in a variety of sizes, from 42 to 46 teeth. Dropping to 42 teeth should lower your RPMs by almost 5% at any given speed.
	0

07-05-2019, 12:54 AM	#55
calvarez Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 334	The lower gearing is for road riding. I almost never go off road. The bike is much more rideable on the highway with the 13t sprocket. The choice is between holding high RPM or losing speed all the time because the motor can't pull the gearing.
	0

07-05-2019, 01:46 PM	#56
rjmorel Join Date: May 2007 Location: Warshington Posts: 928	So I geared mine up when I rode the Iron Butt 1000 I did a few years back. Totally worthless on the roads I rode because to many hills and wind. Oregon, Idaho. I was always downshifting into 4th or 5th to get over hills or get out of traffics way. I think I went down 2 teeth on the rear sprocket. On level ground it may be OK . Stock 6th gear is almost overdrive and I found the stock RX3 geared about as high as I would want to go IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS. YMMV If someone needs a rear sprocket to gear it up and give it a try...……..hows $5 plus shipping? I think it's a 42T but would need to dig it out and confirm. rj __________________ Live Zong, and Prosper
	2

11-10-2019, 10:54 AM	#57
ddilink Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Michigan Posts: 36	I looked everywhere to find the proper chain tension. Not in the owner's manual. Finally found it here. Thanks.
	0