I need some help guys. I'm going to be building a bike that I want to be chain drive (my first.) The company that I get my wheels from offers 48, 51, and 53-tooth sprockets. Which one should I use, and what tranny sprocket should I use, to get a good all-around (stock-like) ride?

Thanks, Leo

I have 21 front and 46 rear sprocket. But it also depends on wheel size and the overall gearing you want to have at the end. There is a gearing calculator tool somewhere on the web ... I can't find the link ... sorry. ;)

Well without knowing exactly what your going for here is a reference.

Stock 1200s are geared with a 61/29 or 2.1:1 ratio.
883s are 61/27 or 2.26:1 ratio.

Some guys will convert an 883 to 1200 and keep the lower gear ratio (higher number) for a lil more get off the line and some will swap out for lower highway revs.

Now, like missy runs a 46/21 or 2.19:1 ratio on her ride.
I am in the process (damn back-order) of going to a chain and am using a 50/21 or 2.38 ratio. So all other things equal, side by side in the same gear I would be turning XXX more revs than her.
Just kinda depends on how you wanna ride.
Hope that helps.

I am converting my XL1000 from 51/21 to 49/23. I am hoping for almost 500 lower RPM on the hiway [3500 vs 4000 @ 75 to 80 MPH], but am expecting less off the line [so the pretty girls have more time to look at me and my pretty bike!]. Others have commented that similar setups cause them to stall often when starting off in 1st gear. When the snow is gone i'll be able to check this out.