Shadow Final Drive Ratio, Anyone?

[geputten]

Hi all,

Just picked up an 86 Shadow VT700 to trike out for my bride. I plan on matching an import car rear end to the driveshaft but can't seem to find any specs on what the final drive ratio is on the stock Shadow so I can match the right rear diff gearing.....

Anybody out there in Trike-Land know these important numbers????

Plan is to keep the stock performance as close as possible.

Thanks in advance,
Harry in Tallahassee

 

[THEREALTRIKKY]

You will probably find keeping the stock gear ratio will actually hurt you overall. Between the weight you add to the motorcycle, along with a "small" engine you will find slipping the clutch a necessity to get the bike going (causing excessive clutch wear). And you will also feel an extreme lack in "power" because of the stock gearing in relation. I would recommend getting a repair manual for this bike that will show the stock drive ratios and basing it accordingly. You'll have better luck with a small american made rear end due to the availability of varying gear ratio's available for them.

 

[geputten]

Okay... I'll buy that.

I found out thru another forum the final drive ratio is 3.43:1....

A 3.75 should give her enough of a boost in reference to your suggestion, and alotta import rear axles come with those stats. What American axles do you speak of, oh wise one?

Inquiring minds really wanna know!

Harry

 

[THEREALTRIKKY]

My suggestion would be to take a look at Summit racing, and Jeg's performance, you can view gear ratio's available for specific rear ends. This will give you the ability to have an idea of gears available in case you decide your initial choice isn't sufficient. The last thing you want to do is have to buy a completely different rear end because you can't find a gear ratio suitable.

 

[John Luciano]

Toyota is a popular choice. That is what Champion was using on the straight axel version . You will need to shorten it, of course.

 

[Calman]

Ford Ranger rearends are used by a lot of installers. My 750 Shadow was triked by MotorTrike and they used one.