Drive Sprockets

I am getting ready to start replacing some things on my 550 maxim and I am getting ready to order a new set of sprockets and a drive chain here next week. I know that the front drive sprocket has 16 teeth and the rear has 45 teeth, the question I have is this. I have found 2 different front drive sprockets with 15 and 17 teeth and a rear with 46 teeth, what would you all suggest as a suitable replacement set of sprocket and why? I am kind of looking for what would the pros and cons be of going with a different front and or different rear sprocket as opposed to keeping them stock specs. If riding type has anything to do with it I don't do a whole lot of interstate travel with it I just mostly use it to cruise through the Black Hills. So I guess would like a little more get up and go as opposed to higher top end speed. Thanks for the suggestions.

Jeff

 

Sorry about the pointless post - my bike is a shaftie so I don't know anything about your sprockets... Just wanted to say - Nice avatar lol, I thought I made that up:

(Decal on my tank that I had custom cut)

 

the one on your bike is what gave me the idea to make that one up in photoshop

 

If you change sprockets 1 tooth on the front equals 4 on the back.

Go bigger on the front you "gear up" the ratios for more top speed, smaller on the front gears down for more punch.

Go bigger on the back you "gear down" the ratios for more Punch but less top end, smaller on the back you gear up.

Try the 15 on the front and see if you like it, leave the back for the time being (as you affectively just added 4 to the back), you might not need to lengthen or shorten the chain either.

It can have a slight difference between changing the counter shaft or wheel sprocket. Going 1 down counter shaft might have a slightly different effect on performance than going 4 up on the rear. Experimentation is the only way to find out for sure.

On my old 2 stroke trail bike I went up 1 on the counter shaft for highway and down 1 for trail.

The bigger the sprocket the less wear on the sprocket.

 

Ok,

Your current gear ratio is 16/45 (Which is stock).

Your options with the gears you've located are:

15/46 which will gear it a bit lower. (8%)

and

17/46 which will gear it a bit higher. (4%)

If you ride around town and like to do jackrabbit starts do the 15/46. If you do much freeway riding you'd probably prefer the 17/46.

**EDIT**

Old Bike Barn has the 16/45 Sprockets listed.

 

Sweeet, totally claiming ownership. hah.

Glad you liked it 8).

 

Thanks for the help guys! You answered the question I was looking for. I do do allot more zipping around town and through the hills as opposed to highway driving. I do hit them from time to time though but not often enough to want to gear specifically for it.

Ease... the credit is all yours