cruising speed VH

[Leejm]

They do, for squares and twins but don't recommend them for singles. As it states on the Website the bike will be overgeared.

[ChrisNewton]

Roger

you are correct they do - i just imagined that the rear wheel sprocket would be the simple solution

however if this is the only option perhaps its the way to go

[paul.jameson]

I am with David Anderson that the optimum engine sprocket for the VH is 22T. Mine is currently 23T but the (1937) bike will happily cruise at 60mph if I want it to. Son Rob has found me a 22T sprocket (to replace my old one which has ended up on his bike) and I will fit this next time I have the primary side down. In the 1970s I ran a VH on 22T which had higher top speed than when I went to 23T, just as David says. The other advantage of 22T is better acceleration and a more nimble bike on local lanes.

[tonyh]

My 59 VH is quite happy at 60mph and is smoother at this speed than 50mph. All std gearing

[charvey]

Hi, When I go down to Oxford from Stamford about once a month as the speedo has not worked for years on the main roads lorries just creep past so I cruise about 55-58 mph BUT its a different story in Nothampton when you nip away from the roundabouts much to the suprise of some of the road users and in and out of the traffic on the bypass,good fun on a 39 ariel 500 girder and solid back end,I attach a reflective wastcoat to a haversack with the tool and lunch in, had a few close calls from van man and some cars but the lorries are mostly good giving me plenty of room.Clive

[ChrisNewton]

Gentlemen

Thank you for the insight - My VH will hit speeds up to 70 mph - i haven't gone any faster although is suspect it would do it, the speedo has been refurbished so i assume its close to this speed
that aside it does shake a tad, my thinking is that i've become to refined in my old age and that the bike is operating as it should

Comfort for me is below 50 mph which it hits easily and swiftly, my original question was posed because i considered with the torque and currant gear ratios the engine need not work as hard as it was - and revving that much when nearing top end

Given that the bike will go from below 30 to over 70 in top gear i wondered if changing the sprocket configuration would give me a bike that wasn't revving like crazy at 65 and for speeds below 30mph i could use 3rd or 2nd gear

[Stevethomas]

I'm sorting a VH out and for me capability to achieve over 80 would mean I've got it right.
Engine sprocket is 23 tooth. It doesn't really like over 55mph but I have singe track roads and hills and in first gear it can't do a hill start,. I've tried a bit of retard, didn't help.
So, I need to find out why or get used to going down to the bottom and hoping I don't meet anyone next time.

[Simon.Gardiner]

Steve, are you sure you've got a VH and not a VB?
Hill starts shouldn't be a problem, on the level second-gear starts should be fine as long as you're easy on the clutch.
How many teeth have you got on the other sprockets? (If you've got a swing-arm bike with full-width hubs, has someone fitted the smaller BSA rear sprocket?)

SG

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

what is wrong with a VB ??

[Stevethomas]

Yes, full width hubs and much as I like sidevalves (my main means of transport for years was an M21 outfit. Lorries were slower in the late 70s and on the M62 going up the Pennines I sometimes even overtook some of them!) mine is definitely VH not VB.
Thanks, I'll count teeth on the back sprocket.