6 gears

[f6john]

Running a pre 97 GW gearbox in my custom Valk. I doubt most riders would notice any difference. Slightly less revs in top but no appreciable decrease in fuel consumption. Built 2 Valks with Mario O/D kits and they work fine but fifth is a really high ratio (feels more like a 7th) you have to stay in 4th for longer which might not suit if you are a 'short shifter'. If you've ever split GL crankcases you'll see why 6 speeds aren't an option - way tight.

Thanks for the firsthand insight. If you recall, what were your rpms a “cruise” speeds, 70-75 mph with the Mario gears?

[ridingron]

quote "Running a pre 97 GW gearbox in my custom Valk. I doubt most riders would notice any difference. Slightly less revs in top but no appreciable decrease in fuel consumption. Built 2 Valks with Mario O/D kits and they work fine but fifth is a really high ratio (feels more like a 7th) you have to stay in 4th for longer which might not suit if you are a 'short shifter'. If you've ever split GL crankcases you'll see why 6 speeds aren't an option - way tight."

I thought it was the post '97 Wing trans. that had the overdrive with the ratio was between the Valk and the Mario (RIP).

I'm not sure the differences between a Wing motor and the Valk motor other than the trans., carbs., and cams? Sounds like the thing to do is to use a Wing motor and swap out the cams and carbs. Probably easier than coming up with gears and rebuilding the trans. on the Valk.  As a bonus, you can get a reverse in the swap. Just have to figure out how to make it functional. I don't know anything about that but if you can swap out motors, that would be a cake walk.

Or, you can run a taller car tire and drop the rpm. Cheaper, easier and quicker to do. You lose reverse, but you never had it anyway.

[Rams]

Or, you can run a taller car tire and drop the rpm. Cheaper, easier and quicker to do. You lose reverse, but you never had it anyway.

  Obviously, the cheaper alternative (which I decided to go with).   Was told I could expect a noticeable difference in acceleration.   Can't say that I noticed.   My fat girl sits a bit taller now but, I'm very happy riding on the dark side.   

Rams 

[woofred1832]

                         ya like most a 6th gear would be good, but as to running 80+ MPH, 2 years ago I rode to Glacier National Park from northern ILL. and across north Dakota, and Montana I rode 80 85 even hit 90 for miles and miles at a time. no problem. the bike can handle it fine it is me and the wind that would slow me down. just me comments.

[steveB (VRCC UK)]

Pulled my old paper files and found these figures (F6John) all at 70mph. GW 3000 rpm - Stock Valk 3200 rpm with Mario gears 2400 rpm. I note that the Mario gears will give you 70 mph in 4th at 3150 rpm.
With the Mario gear (and cos I ride with Glynis my delightful pillion and a lot of luggage ) we found it hard to find a sweet spot between 3rd and 4th for alpine riding when touring in Europe. There is obviously a large hole twixt 3rd and 5th. Add a blower, it all goes away.
BTW maybe the pre '97 gears don't fit Valks I used GW crankcase's after my blown Valk destructed.

[f6john]

Thanks for taking the time to dig that up. If I remember correctly the gears that Lamont imported were $1000.00 and then the labor to install $$$$. But I could certainly have gotten used to 70 @ 2400 rpms.

[98valk]

his final report on subject
http://bigbf.com/bigbf_shop/transmission/final.htm


has rpm to mph charts

http://bigbf.com/bigbf_shop/transmission/

[Alien]

I ride 90 mph all the way across the country about once a year...no problems.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[f6john]

I ride 90 mph all the way across the country about once a year...no problems.

Ride Safe,

Alien

 Not knowing what size rear tire you run, what rpms do you see running a consistent 90mph.

[Alberta Patriot]

The Yamaha Strat that I had, with it's diesel like torque could've easily used a 6th gear. It was a discussion point that came up a lot over at that Delphi Forum.

[Alien]

I ride 90 mph all the way across the country about once a year...no problems.

Ride Safe,

Alien

 Not knowing what size rear tire you run, what rpms do you see running a consistent 90mph.

Stock size tire, about 3,800 RPM

[Wizzard]

I ride 90 mph all the way across the country about once a year...no problems.

Ride Safe,

Alien

 Not knowing what size rear tire you run, what rpms do you see running a consistent 90mph.

Stock size tire, about 3,800 RPM

You must have different gearing than me. I have an 03 stock tires and at 90 I am running about 4500 rpms and gas mileage at that rpm suffers.

[Willow]

Stock size tire, about 3,800 RPM

You must have different gearing than me. I have an 03 stock tires and at 90 I am running about 4500 rpms and gas mileage at that rpm suffers.

Gearing will be the same from one stock Valk to another.  What may differ from one to another is speedometer accuracy.  They all run high but some higher than others.

[Wizzard]

Stock size tire, about 3,800 RPM

You must have different gearing than me. I have an 03 stock tires and at 90 I am running about 4500 rpms and gas mileage at that rpm suffers.

Gearing will be the same from one stock Valk to another.  What may differ from one to another is speedometer accuracy.  They all run high but some higher than others.

Agreed,, most I have seen read 5mph higher than what they should based on my garmin and I trust it.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I ride 90 mph all the way across the country about once a year...no problems.

Ride Safe,

Alien

 Not knowing what size rear tire you run, what rpms do you see running a consistent 90mph.

Stock size tire, about 3,800 RPM

You must have different gearing than me. I have an 03 stock tires and at 90 I am running about 4500 rpms and gas mileage at that rpm suffers.

I wasn't sure. So, on my way home today I brought her up to 90 for a bit. I'd say it was about 3800 rpm also. But honestly I don't know how accurate my speedo is, I've never checked it.

[Wizzard]

too cold here for me to check again but after many long trips it seems to me that 80 mph on my garmin puts me around 4000 RPM. My speedometer says I am doing 85 at that speed.