Hello all again. So I am looking VT cycle site and see I can get either the 16x41 or 16x42 secondary gear change set which is 8.96:1 or 9.1:1 respectively. Does the community have any suggestions on which is 'best' or better? I figure they are so close won't make huge differences except in the top end speed but would rather ask first then have regret later. Also, I found someones great tutorial on here on doing the gear install which was super informative.
Also, if you look at my signature you will see the changes I have made thus far. Is there mods/changes I should be making before doing a secondary gear change? With my current set-up I am hitting ~40mph.
Once again thanks for the continued support!
SA50 Secondary Gear Upgrade Suggestions?
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- pattersondm
- BMX
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:03 pm
- Location: Michigan
SA50 Secondary Gear Upgrade Suggestions?
1997 SA50P (derestricted)
- SR Oil Pump, Split Throttle Cable, Keli Variator w/ 9g weights, SEF Ramp Plate, and 9.8:1 gear set (15x42)
- SR Oil Pump, Split Throttle Cable, Keli Variator w/ 9g weights, SEF Ramp Plate, and 9.8:1 gear set (15x42)
Re: SA50 Secondary Gear Upgrade Suggestions?
If I remember correctly you did upjet with the derestriction? I just ordered the 9:1's from steve at vtcycles. Don't know why I chose that set, just seemed right. Don't think it will make that much of a diff either way.
taz 50mm bbk, 51g. rollers,1500 c spring
24mm arreche, #20 pilot, E2 needle clip on lower groove
arreche air filter
Naruku intake, reeds & block
v8 pipe
stock gears
trail tech temp & rpm gauges
24mm arreche, #20 pilot, E2 needle clip on lower groove
arreche air filter
Naruku intake, reeds & block
v8 pipe
stock gears
trail tech temp & rpm gauges
- pattersondm
- BMX
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:03 pm
- Location: Michigan
Re: SA50 Secondary Gear Upgrade Suggestions?
Dun rite, I did indeed upjet to a #85. I would like to get a #82 jet as well. I need to do a plug chop to see how she looks after making these changes though.
1997 SA50P (derestricted)
- SR Oil Pump, Split Throttle Cable, Keli Variator w/ 9g weights, SEF Ramp Plate, and 9.8:1 gear set (15x42)
- SR Oil Pump, Split Throttle Cable, Keli Variator w/ 9g weights, SEF Ramp Plate, and 9.8:1 gear set (15x42)
Re: SA50 Secondary Gear Upgrade Suggestions?
if your going to run the stock bore. I would suggest the 10to1 gearset. the 9to1 is a bit much for the stock bore to turn. for the lighter guys(under 135lbs) it will be ok. for the heavier guys it will strain the motor a little. with the 10to1 you will be in the torque band better for a stock bore. if you are planing on upgrading to a 72cc or bigger bore, than go with the 9to1 gears or 8.44to1
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Re: SA50 Secondary Gear Upgrade Suggestions?
I got the 9.8:1 from vt cycles and am very happy with them. Lots of mountains around here so the lower gearing helps.
- pattersondm
- BMX
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:03 pm
- Location: Michigan
Re: SA50 Secondary Gear Upgrade Suggestions?
ktroy, I was just looking at the 9.8:1 last night. Did you see top end improvement as well?ktroy wrote:I got the 9.8:1 from vt cycles and am very happy with them. Lots of mountains around here so the lower gearing helps.
1997 SA50P (derestricted)
- SR Oil Pump, Split Throttle Cable, Keli Variator w/ 9g weights, SEF Ramp Plate, and 9.8:1 gear set (15x42)
- SR Oil Pump, Split Throttle Cable, Keli Variator w/ 9g weights, SEF Ramp Plate, and 9.8:1 gear set (15x42)
- Trafficjamz
- CBR1000RR
- Posts: 5013
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- Location: Eastlake, MI
- Contact:
Re: SA50 Secondary Gear Upgrade Suggestions?
get some 9.8:1 gears 15x42 and you should see 45mphpattersondm wrote:Hello all again. So I am looking VT cycle site and see I can get either the 16x41 or 16x42 secondary gear change set which is 8.96:1 or 9.1:1 respectively. Does the community have any suggestions on which is 'best' or better? I figure they are so close won't make huge differences except in the top end speed but would rather ask first then have regret later. Also, I found someones great tutorial on here on doing the gear install which was super informative.
Also, if you look at my signature you will see the changes I have made thus far. Is there mods/changes I should be making before doing a secondary gear change? With my current set-up I am hitting ~40mph.
Once again thanks for the continued support!
10:1 are for the se50 and require the primaries and secondary gears to work (cant mix and match se50 and sa50)

I have never heard of 8.96 gears (16x41)
Is it time for a tooth tally chart change?

new best 1/8th mile time 9.647 seconds @67.155 mph 310lbs total weight
- pattersondm
- BMX
- Posts: 45
- Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:03 pm
- Location: Michigan
Re: SA50 Secondary Gear Upgrade Suggestions?
TrafficJamz thanks for the reply.
I pulled the 16x41 or 8.96:1 information from vt cycles website (VT Cycles Product Link). If in fact the 8.96 does work in the SA50 would you advise I still go with the 9.8:1, or even the 16x42 since VT Cycle sells those as well? After doing the gear change I don't plan on doing any more mods anytime soon.
My main objective was to be able to travel on some of the 45mph roads around my house at WOT, but then cruise along at slower speeds on the side streets at partial throttle. Already seen great improvement with changes and hoping this last one will push me over the top while still retaining reliability, and longevity.
Also, I liked the chart don't believe I had seen it before.
I pulled the 16x41 or 8.96:1 information from vt cycles website (VT Cycles Product Link). If in fact the 8.96 does work in the SA50 would you advise I still go with the 9.8:1, or even the 16x42 since VT Cycle sells those as well? After doing the gear change I don't plan on doing any more mods anytime soon.
My main objective was to be able to travel on some of the 45mph roads around my house at WOT, but then cruise along at slower speeds on the side streets at partial throttle. Already seen great improvement with changes and hoping this last one will push me over the top while still retaining reliability, and longevity.
Also, I liked the chart don't believe I had seen it before.
1997 SA50P (derestricted)
- SR Oil Pump, Split Throttle Cable, Keli Variator w/ 9g weights, SEF Ramp Plate, and 9.8:1 gear set (15x42)
- SR Oil Pump, Split Throttle Cable, Keli Variator w/ 9g weights, SEF Ramp Plate, and 9.8:1 gear set (15x42)
- Trafficjamz
- CBR1000RR
- Posts: 5013
- Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:53 pm
- Location: Eastlake, MI
- Contact:
Re: SA50 Secondary Gear Upgrade Suggestions?
pattersondm wrote:TrafficJamz thanks for the reply.
I pulled the 16x41 or 8.96:1 information from vt cycles website (VT Cycles Product Link). If in fact the 8.96 does work in the SA50 would you advise I still go with the 9.8:1, or even the 16x42 since VT Cycle sells those as well? After doing the gear change I don't plan on doing any more mods anytime soon.
If you are a bigger guy (over 150lbs) 8.96:1 gears may be a bit too tall for the stock bore to handle.
9.8:1 gears pushed me (225lbs) to 45mph pretty easy.

new best 1/8th mile time 9.647 seconds @67.155 mph 310lbs total weight