1952 golden flash drive chain ratios

[eggar]

Hi, just bought a 1952 golden flash that has a 19 teeth front drive sprocket and a 49 teeth rear sprocket which i believe is the sidecar ratios, i find this far too slow for cruising, the easiest solution would be to fit a 42 teeth rear sprocket, would this work with the 19 teeth front, i don't want to strip the front end to replace the front sprocket unless i have too, any thoughts much appreciated thanks

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi eggar,

Definitely fit the 42T rear sprocket and if you ever have the gearbox out fit a 20T gearbox sprocket.  This will give the bike slightly longer legs without making it slog up hill.  My wife has run a 20T on a '51 Golden Flash for many thousands of miles including many ascents of Alpine passes loaded with the camp kitchen, supplies for several days and a bag of clothes.

Dave.

[eggar]

great, thanks for the reply

[JulianS]

Dont forget that a change to the rear sprocket will mean the speedometer will not read true - side car geared and solo geared bikes use different instruments.

[eggar]

the speedo is out by about 5mph reads 30 mph when i'm only doing 25 so i'm hoping the change in sprocket might make it more accurate with a bit of luck, cheers

[idie]

It will do that with a larger gearbox sprocket.

[eggar]

42t rear sprocket now fitted, much better for cruising and the speedo is now accurate, great result