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Nighthawk-Forums.com - Your Honda Nighthawk Motorcycle Forum ! > The Riding Forums > Riding Technique & Experiences > Is it only me or we all miss a 6th gear when commuting...
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Author Topic: Is it only me or we all miss a 6th gear when commuting...  (Read 626 times)
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EladioGomes Topic starter
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« on: August 24, 2011, 11:50:10 AM »
Riding at 70 - 80 miles on 95 is a smooth ride on the NH, but I really think it would benefit in many ways by a longer gear... would changing the rotors make a significant change to the RPM and consumption?!  think2

Experts??  poke
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« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2011, 12:05:08 PM »
A 16T front sprocket will drop you down to 5K rpm's @ 79mph. It's a hard sprocket to come by however. Changing the back down three teeth I think will accomplish the same thing but the chain would no longer fit. On the plus side the chain would be too long not too short so you could remove a link or two. Probably just one. Next time I change my chain and sprockets this is what I'm going to do.
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« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2011, 01:41:45 PM »
Quote from: EladioGomes on August 24, 2011, 11:50:10 AM
Riding at 70 - 80 miles on 95 is a smooth ride on the NH, but I really think it would benefit in many ways by a longer gear... would changing the rotors make a significant change to the RPM and consumption?!  think2

Experts??  poke

Here is an excellent rpm/gearing/mph website
http://www.gearingcommander.com/
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« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2011, 02:27:54 PM »
a lot of times I try to shift into the "non existant" 6th gear while I am in fifth gear. I guess I'm spoiled from having a 6 speed.
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« Reply #4 on: August 24, 2011, 06:57:17 PM »
I wonder if the 750 cases are milled to accept the 6 speed gearbox from the 700s , I know I like my 6'th gear .
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« Reply #5 on: August 24, 2011, 07:15:02 PM »
Quote from: Tdodge7 on August 24, 2011, 06:57:17 PM
I wonder if the 750 cases are milled to accept the 6 speed gearbox from the 700s , I know I like my 6'th gear .

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EladioGomes Topic starter
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« Reply #6 on: August 24, 2011, 11:24:07 PM »
Thanks for some support, I'm almost always trying a 6th gear... and feeling stupid finding out I'm already on the last one!!  thumb

Great link tbante, already on my favorites! But it's a little hard for me to understand all info/possibilities there! I'll have to study it to understand how the system works!  banghead

LOKi, if I go this route how hard would it be for the bike to start moving? Would it be like starting on 2nd or 3rd gear?  scratcher
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« Reply #7 on: August 25, 2011, 01:28:15 AM »
   I'm just the opposite.   I usually don't even shift into fifth unless I'm going to be running above 70 mph for awhile.  5K rpm is really the sweet spot on this engine.  Accelleration is not as brisk below that level.

   Maybe it's because I used to ride old vibrating twins back in the day (couldn't afford the inline 4s back then), but 5K on the CB750's engine seems smooth as glass to me.

   As for fuel mileage, the engine friction difference between running at 400-500 rpm lower isn't going to make much difference in mileage.   Fuel consumption is primarily a function of the horsepower required to keep the mass of the motorcycle going down the highway and overcoming wind resistance.  The engine doesn't care that much what rpm is used to deliver that amount of horsepower. 
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« Reply #8 on: August 25, 2011, 03:57:11 AM »
I might change my sprockets. The speed limit here has gone up to 85 so it might be beneficial to lower the rpms just a bit for better mileage.
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« Reply #9 on: August 25, 2011, 04:16:15 AM »
I got a 16 from sprocket specialist. Took awhile to fill the order, but I liked dropping the RPM by 500 on highways. A 17 is more readily available, but I think that's too much.
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« Reply #10 on: August 25, 2011, 04:36:20 AM »
Quote from: EladioGomes on August 24, 2011, 11:24:07 PM
LOKi, if I go this route how hard would it be for the bike to start moving? Would it be like starting on 2nd or 3rd gear?  scratcher

I run a 17/36 combo.  Your chain will be 108 links instead of the normal 110, although 110 still works since I have that now. Your first gear will be fine, it is just gentler and taller. Same with the rest.  You are giving up a little bit of zip, but 1st gear still pulls more than enough for me. The NH has plenty of power to leave all the cages in the dust.  2nd gear will easily take you to 70 mph if you like acceleration thrills.

Look at this post.  http://nighthawk-forums.com/index.php/topic,8956.msg158866.html#msg158866

I attached a pdf file at the bottom where I worked out some rpm comparisons.  It's a bit messy but it compares stock 15/38 to 17/38 and 17/36.  In the end, I went with 17/36. My goal was 3000 at 55 and 3500 at 65.

Edit:  This is the same info, cut and paste from the NH gearing DOS program.  It goes through all the gears and let's you compare.
Code:
1991 thru 2003 CB750 NightHawk Sprocket/Gear/Mph/Rpm relationships:
                 
                   36/17                                38/15 (Stock)     
Gear 1:
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 5mph RPMs 746   | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 892
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 10mph RPMs 1492 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 1785
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 15mph RPMs 2239 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 2678
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 20mph RPMs 2985 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 3571
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 25mph RPMs 3731 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 4464
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 30mph RPMs 4478 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 5357
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 35mph RPMs 5224 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 6249
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 40mph RPMs 5970 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7142
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 45mph RPMs 6717 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 8035
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 50mph RPMs 7463 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 8928
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 55mph RPMs 8209 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 9821
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 1 @ 60mph RPMs 8956 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 10714

Gear 2:
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 10mph RPMs 1022 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 1223
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 15mph RPMs 1534 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 1835
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 20mph RPMs 2045 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 2447
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 25mph RPMs 2557 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 3059
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 30mph RPMs 3068 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 3671
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 35mph RPMs 3580 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 4283
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 40mph RPMs 4091 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 4895
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 45mph RPMs 4603 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 5507
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 50mph RPMs 5114 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 6118
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 55mph RPMs 5626 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 6730
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 60mph RPMs 6137 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7342
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 65mph RPMs 6649 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7954
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 70mph RPMs 7160 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 8566
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 75mph RPMs 7672 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 9178
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 80mph RPMs 8183 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 9790
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 2 @ 85mph RPMs 8695 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 10402

Gear 3:
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 10mph RPMs 768  | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 919
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 15mph RPMs 1153 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 1379
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 20mph RPMs 1537 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 1839
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 25mph RPMs 1921 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 2299
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 30mph RPMs 2306 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 2758
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 35mph RPMs 2690 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 3218
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 40mph RPMs 3074 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 3678
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 45mph RPMs 3459 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 4138
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 50mph RPMs 3843 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 4598
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 55mph RPMs 4228 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 5057
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 60mph RPMs 4612 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 5517
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 65mph RPMs 4996 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 5977
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 70mph RPMs 5381 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 6437
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 75mph RPMs 5765 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 6897
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 80mph RPMs 6149 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7357
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 85mph RPMs 6534 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7816
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 90mph RPMs 6918 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 8276
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 95mph RPMs 7302 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 8736
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 100mph RPMs 7687| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 9196
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 3 @ 105mph RPMs 8071| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 9656

Gear 4:
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 20mph RPMs 1233 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 1476
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 25mph RPMs 1542 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 1845
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 30mph RPMs 1850 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 2214
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 35mph RPMs 2159 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 2583
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 40mph RPMs 2467 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 2952
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 45mph RPMs 2776 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 3321
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 50mph RPMs 3084 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 3690
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 55mph RPMs 3393 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 4059
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 60mph RPMs 3701 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 4428
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 65mph RPMs 4010 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 4797
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 70mph RPMs 4318 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 5166
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 75mph RPMs 4627 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 5535
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 80mph RPMs 4935 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 5904
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 85mph RPMs 5244 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 6273
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 90mph RPMs 5552 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 6642
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 95mph RPMs 5861 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7011
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 100mph RPMs 6169| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7380
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 105mph RPMs 6478| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7749
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 110mph RPMs 6786| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 8118
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 4 @ 115mph RPMs 7095| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 8488

Gear 5:
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 30mph RPMs 1603 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 1917
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 35mph RPMs 1870 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 2237
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 40mph RPMs 2137 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 2557
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 45mph RPMs 2404 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 2876
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 50mph RPMs 2671 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 3196
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 55mph RPMs 2939 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 3516
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 60mph RPMs 3206 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 3835
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 65mph RPMs 3473 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 4155
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 70mph RPMs 3740 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 4474
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 75mph RPMs 4007 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 4794
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 80mph RPMs 4275 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 5114
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 85mph RPMs 4542 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 5433
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 90mph RPMs 4809 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 5753
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 95mph RPMs 5076 | Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 6073
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 100mph RPMs 5343| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 6392
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 105mph RPMs 5611| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 6712
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 110mph RPMs 5878| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7032
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 115mph RPMs 6145| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7351
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 120mph RPMs 6412| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7671
Sprockets 36/17 GEAR 5 @ 125mph RPMs 6679| Last Sprocks 38/15 Yield RPMs 7990



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LOKi
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« Reply #11 on: August 25, 2011, 07:03:55 AM »
It won't effect how the bike starts off. Actually you will hardly notice until your running 79mph and only turning 5K. To tell the truth though, like flynrider said it doesn't make much of a difference. The only reason I'm considering changing up again is because the bike likes to run at 5K and I just want to go faster at that point.


 
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« Reply #12 on: August 25, 2011, 08:02:36 AM »
I went with a 17/37 gearing.  In retrospect, I think I might have preferred the 16 front.  Also, I run a 150 rear tire, and that makes a bit of difference.  But it's all a personal prefernce thing.
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« Reply #13 on: August 25, 2011, 03:50:08 PM »
Quote
Is it only me or we all miss a 6th gear when commuting... 

Not those of us who have a 6th gear  poke
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EladioGomes Topic starter
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« Reply #14 on: August 25, 2011, 11:14:10 PM »
If I understood correctly you all are saying that it didn't really make a difference, in this case, I don't think I'll even bother at least for now! I just have to learn how to count better!!  banghead

Quote from: bajakirch on August 25, 2011, 03:50:08 PM
Quote
Is it only me or we all miss a 6th gear when commuting... 

Not those of us who have a 6th gear  poke

Not fair...  DirtDOG
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« Reply #15 on: August 26, 2011, 06:31:14 AM »
You will get used to it. I did find that when I had the taller gear I would forget to shift into 5th.  wacko
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« Reply #16 on: August 26, 2011, 08:03:43 AM »
If you are looking for mpg increases, that is probably fairly little. Maybe 1 to 3 mpg.  I just wanted the NH to sound a little more relaxed at cruising speeds.  Not a high rpm type of guy.  Steady riding with 3000 to 3500 rpm (55 to 66 mph) feels comfortable.  If I want the original gearing zip, 4th, and for "what just went by?" acceleration, 3rd.
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