Kookaloo and beyond!

[Pat Conlon]

Speaking of drive train modifications....

The new Gates carbon fiber technology applied to belts means that belts can now be narrower, more flexable (tighter wrap, smaller sprockets) and carry higher loads...

How about a belt drive conversion for the FJ?  Lighter, quieter, no maintenance, set it and forget it....

Unless you really like lubing your chain...

[Steve_in_Florida]

...Not so much because it's impossible but because it's impractical and the need isn't that great.

Noel,
Yeah, I figured as much. I was just mulling over some ideas that were flying through my head last night, and wanted to throw them out here for discussion. How often I read "I keep looking for 6th gear"...

Yes, a 6-speed transplant might be interesting, too. So would a cell-phone proximity jammer. And a Stupidity/Idiot detector. And LASER BEAMS!!!

I digress...



Steve

[FJscott]

Speaking of drive train modifications....

The new Gates carbon fiber technology applied to belts means that belts can now be narrower, more flexable (tighter wrap, smaller sprockets) and carry higher loads...

How about a belt drive conversion for the FJ?  Lighter, quieter, no maintenance, set it and forget it....

Unless you really like lubing your chain...

I looked at this mod, briefly. what I found was Yamaha models that were belt driven so the rear sprocket would bolt on to our sprocket carrier all had WAAY too short of final drive ratio. the belt drive sprockets are huge. would be a cool FJ Streetfighter mod, or the first ever FJ Stunt Bike...hmmm

Scott

[giantkiller]

Yah I've got a belt drive on my chopper. One of the narrow, supposedly supper strong. If I whack the throttle open too fast snap. It shoots it about 60'. My chopper has a big engine 120 HP 120 ft lbs. If I roll on the throttle it'll smoke the tire. But I have to be careful not to be too abrupt. Those belts are expensive last one I bought was a while ago. Was $220 if I remember right. Broke 2 right away. Thought the first one must have been defective. Third one was an accident.

[fj1289]

Maybe after Randy perfects the injection system he can work on the overdrive..

Well, I can't help with an overdrive (nor 6th) per say, but who would be interested in setting up their transmission with a wider gear spread than a Suzuki Hayabusa (which has six speeds) and still keep the spacing between gears well suited to the FJ?

[Burns]

+1...I would be happy with a taller 5th gear

Me too - big time - and that is the simplist OD option.

Wonder if Randy could get a set of final gear cogs cut with one more tooth on the input cog and 2 less on the output cog.   

My guess is that the stock  bike is geared for max top speed and a taller 5th would probably lose a few MPH on top, but would be vastly better in 90% of cruising situations..

[FJ_Hooligan]

Change your sprockets.  The FJ will pull it easily.

[aviationfred]

At times I had the same thoughts..... A 6th gear would be great. Once I went to the 18t/38t sprocket set up a 6th gear is no longer a thought.

Fred

[Burns]

Change your sprockets.  The FJ will pull it easily.

I've got the sprockets where I want them for the first 4 gears.  A real tall OD 5th would make it perfect for me.

[FJscott]

Change your sprockets.  The FJ will pull it easily.

I've got the sprockets where I want them for the first 4 gears.  A real tall OD 5th would make it perfect for me.

+1  I think a taller 5th is the best solution to not having a 6th gear. I like my gearing 1st - 4th and don't want to mess that up

If I had a spare transmission laying around I would definitely pursue that option. there might already be a Yamaha gear out there that would work. when I looked into a viable belt drive for our FJ's I was looking at Yamaha cruisers for compatibility. what I found was the diameters of the belt sprockets were much greater in diameter. To make these work the ratios inside the gearbox have to be taller to compensate for that low final drive ratio....Hmmmmm
Scott

[TexasDave]

Running 18 and 42 now and still looking for 6th gear. Have a 40t I am going to install when I change rear tire. I think that might solve my 6th searches or will go to 38 like Fred.  Dave

[Burns]

I'm 18/40 and find myself double checking top cog on a pretty regular basis. 

[fj1289]

At times I had the same thoughts..... A 6th gear would be great. Once I went to the 18t/38t sprocket set up a 6th gear is no longer a thought.

Fred

Even if you could swap out the entire 6 speed transmission from a Busa, you wouldn't really be happy with it ...

While 6th gear on a Busa is 7% taller than 5th gear on the FJ....BUT 1st gear on a Busa is 9% taller than 1st in the FJ...

So the FJ actually had a wider span of gears with its 5 speed transmission than a Busa does with 6. 

Gear it for what you want on top and first will take care of itself   

[racerrad8]

Even if you could swap out the entire 6 speed transmission from a Busa, you wouldn't really be happy with it ...

Gear it for what you want on top and first will take care of itself   

Chris, you stole my thunder...

I was going to ask, why does everyone keep wanting "6th" gear...

The 6th gear tooth count & ratio for the busa is;  24/23 (1.043:1)

for the FJ it is; 29/26 (1.115:1)

So, all one can hope for with a "6th" gear is overdrive, but there is not enough room in the case for additional gears.

Like just stated if you want to slow the engine down fro cruise efficiency then the larger 18T front sprocket and the smallest rear sprocket you can fit is what you are looking for.

Randy - RPM

[charleygofast]

My bike really loves 3800rpm and up. And right now thats about 65mph with 17/42 final and 16" wheels. I do plan on going to a 40 rear sprocket just to slow  her down for distance and gas mileage. But I'll probably find myself going faster to get into that sweet zone where she hits it (3800 and up) I do think stockish gearing with an overdrive would be sweet, like older Volvos had with an electronic o/d and switch on the gearshift knob.                                                                       Charley.