Final drive or tranny gear ratio change??????

[kc4ky]

Hello all:

I have a 1980 goldwing. My question is is there a kit for the final drive or the tranny to change the gear ratio to run @ a lower RPM. 55mph 3.5rpm, 70mph 4.5rpm.

Thanks
Ron

[WingAdmin]

That's about the right RPM for those speeds, you're not doing any harm running the engine like that. Some of the different year models changed the ratios, but I have never seen an aftermarket kit to do the same thing.

[kc4ky]

Thanks for the info. I thought I would try to get the rpm's down a little out on the road.

Thanks again

Ron

[WingAdmin]

It would be nice - even after all these years, I still once in a while try to shift into sixth gear.

[cbach1981]

my 83 interstate hits 65mph at around 3600 rpm's. Don't know if maybe the final drive gears would fit the different years or not, but might be worth researching a bit.

[crowesnest3]

it is what it is! Still tend to look for that 6th gear but it isn't there! But have you ever noticed that once you have any awareness of how the gearing works on the 1100, you don't really have to run thru the gears as much as you might on other bikes. You can pretty much leave it in 5th between 30mph and 100+ mph and the engine braking provided really can keep you off the brakes especially on those wonderful no stop signs twisty country roads .... ok, maybe down shift to 4th for a little extra.

[detdrbuzzard]

my 83 interstate hits 65mph at around 3600 rpm's. Don't know if maybe the final drive gears would fit the different years or not, but might be worth researching a bit.

honda changed fifth gear on '82 wings should turn about 34 / 3500 rpm@60, honda changed fourth and fifth gear on '83 wings. so unless you want to change out gear sets or install an '82 or '83 motor you have what you have on the other hand honda clames that the '80 naked wing was the fastest of all wings up until the 1800's anyway

[crowesnest3]

.....the fastest comment I find interesting, certainly know that if you get "on it" the 1100 really seems to enjoy going thru the gears between 6000 n 8000 .... but the speedo bottoms out at 85! Not that you need to be going that fast anyway although it would be nice to know ones mph .... speaking of anybody know if you can swap out the 1000 wing 150mph speedo into an 1980?

[aynew1]

83 final drive ratio is lower, .897 80-82 is .973, you could just swap it out for 83 final drive, according to the shop manual anyway

[wrecktim hell]

Has anyone here swapped out a final drive to make the gear ratio higher?

[biguns]

If I remember right that option had been discussed way back when and the reason for the taller gear is the smaller tire so swapping would leave you in the same place, but you would have a much cooler looking rim.

[Limpy45]

my 83 interstate hits 65mph at around 3600 rpm's. Don't know if maybe the final drive gears would fit the different years or not, but might be worth researching a bit.

honda changed fifth gear on '82 wings should turn about 34 / 3500 rpm@60, honda changed fourth and fifth gear on '83 wings. so unless you want to change out gear sets or install an '82 or '83 motor you have what you have on the other hand honda clames that the '80 naked wing was the fastest of all wings up until the 1800's anyway

correct on that!! I had a 80 GL1100 with all the Vetter stuff on it, so completely dressed out. I also had a 92 GL1500SE at the same time. My step son and I were out riding around quite a bit and he would take the 1100. One day we got on a long straight country paved road and slowed down to about 30 mph, both grabbed as much throttle as we could and took off!! He ran it up to 85 mph, where the speedo quits showing and I was still quite a ways back trying to catch up!!! That thing would also pull a train I think, if you gave it enough fuel!! If I dropped a cog or 2 on the 1500, I could run with most others in acceleration, but the 1100 did not have to shift.

[Overdog]

83 final drive ratio is lower, .897 80-82 is .973, you could just swap it out for 83 final drive, according to the shop manual anyway

Final drive ratios on the 1100s are about the same. the difference is the transmissions

[Overdog]