I'm sure this guys software app must have been posted here, but in case it hasn't.... http://www.pollensoftware.com/shadow/gearcalculator.html
Kind of hidden in the app itself, he makes this pitch:
"This application can be used by those who want to experiment with different rear sprocket sizes, but as the originator of the software I feel I should make my stance on this clear.
My stance is that A) Honda did not get it wrong, they designed the bike for the stock sprocket, B) you loose two-fold when you change out the sprocket, and C) most people change out the spocket for aesthetic reasons only. Add to this that there is a lot of misinformation about what changing out the spocket can do for you.
If you are changing out the sprocket for aesthetics alone, then that's fine, I guess... it's your bike. What I would say is that while the Shadow ACE 750 is the best looking cruiser to ever go down the road, the bike is NOT a HD. Many (especially those in countries that have a lot of HDs and HD culture ;-) ) expect the bike to run at the RPMs HDs do, either because they think that's the speed engines should run at, or because they think it sounds better. While it may sound better to them, the ACE's motor is designed to run at MUCH higher RPMs than a HD.
By changing out the rear sprocket, and forcing the motor to run at lower RPMs, you loose power AND top speed. You actually loose power in two ways, 1) you are loosing torque by changing the ratio of engine speed to road speed, and 2) you are loosing power because the engine is now running slower for any given speed. You also loose top speed, as the bike's top speed determined by terminal velocity, or in other words, a factor of the engine power. So now your bike is working harder, you're getting less power off the line, less ability to accelerate up, and a lower top speed!
My suggestion is that you should get to know your ride, and then ride it to the best of your abilities."
Any thoughts?
Kind of hidden in the app itself, he makes this pitch:
"This application can be used by those who want to experiment with different rear sprocket sizes, but as the originator of the software I feel I should make my stance on this clear.
My stance is that A) Honda did not get it wrong, they designed the bike for the stock sprocket, B) you loose two-fold when you change out the sprocket, and C) most people change out the spocket for aesthetic reasons only. Add to this that there is a lot of misinformation about what changing out the spocket can do for you.
If you are changing out the sprocket for aesthetics alone, then that's fine, I guess... it's your bike. What I would say is that while the Shadow ACE 750 is the best looking cruiser to ever go down the road, the bike is NOT a HD. Many (especially those in countries that have a lot of HDs and HD culture ;-) ) expect the bike to run at the RPMs HDs do, either because they think that's the speed engines should run at, or because they think it sounds better. While it may sound better to them, the ACE's motor is designed to run at MUCH higher RPMs than a HD.
By changing out the rear sprocket, and forcing the motor to run at lower RPMs, you loose power AND top speed. You actually loose power in two ways, 1) you are loosing torque by changing the ratio of engine speed to road speed, and 2) you are loosing power because the engine is now running slower for any given speed. You also loose top speed, as the bike's top speed determined by terminal velocity, or in other words, a factor of the engine power. So now your bike is working harder, you're getting less power off the line, less ability to accelerate up, and a lower top speed!
My suggestion is that you should get to know your ride, and then ride it to the best of your abilities."
Any thoughts?