[alpha1]

Originally Posted by Rahul Rao

I think that to to retain same amount of torque to wheel as a 350 the 500 will need a 25 tooth rear sprocket instead of the stock 38. I think it will be best to go half way to about 32 teeth in that way your cruzing at 95 will be at same RPM as current 80, and engine which asks for next gear at 80 will not do so.

A engine has the torque to run fine with an even smaller rear sprocket, but then if you are stuck in traffic on a gradient, it will be harsh on the clutch.

And therein lies the catch with changing the final drive ratio/differential/sprocket. It is like changing the wheel dia.

There is a trade off: do you want a more relaxed running of the engine or do you want more pulling power.

Most people prefer the 500's torque available at the wheel over the 350's torque available at the wheel (acceleration).

[Rahul Rao]

Originally Posted by alpha1

There is a trade off: do you want a more relaxed running of the engine or do you want more pulling power.

Why not both, you have a gearbox just for that. The amount of torque the 500 has in 1st is actually not usable. Try starting in mud, or try pulling hard in 1st, and the rear wheel can loose it's line. Most riders almost immediately shift up. With a taller final drive you can down shift to 4th and pull when you want the torque, and for relaxed cruizing use the 5th.
Actually Enfield should themselves make the final drive a little bit taller, and provide a 6th gear as well.

Rahul