cigaro wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:12:Belts have some distinct advantages, but one advantage with a chain is the ability to experiment with sprocket sizes. Some people swear by the advantage of, say, going to a 16 or 17 tooth sprocket, claiming it really gives new power to the bike. Good luck with your conversion and let us know how it goes and what tooth sprockets you end up using.
No doubt about it, you can make a drastic change in a bike with sprocket changes. Of course I haven't done it with a Savage, but I decided to ride my '70s Yamaha DT-250 Enduro mostly on the street in the late 70's.
I took the rear sproket down a few teeth and the front up a tooth. At the same time I changed the tires to the most street-like trail tires I could find and replaced the chain.
Only problem: I had to rebuild the clutch pack the next week when it started slipping. Good news: Top speed on the little 250cc went from screaming red-line at 75mph to tolerable at 85mph. Crusing at 65mph on the expressway was suddenly a comfortable drone (by previous comparison).
I'd expect good results on the top speed of a Savage, Either 4-speed or 5-speed, but the bottom (first gear) being so high concerns me. My old Yamaha had a very wide ratio transmission which made the change acceptable. I'm afraid that Suzuki has kind of screwed us with such a close ratio tranny, that a great top gear will result in a crappy first gear.
We really need a lab rat too try this out, or other guys from other forums, who have made the modification, to come and tell us what might be expected.
I know there are a lot of Savages out there already converted, I've got pictures of them!
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