One out one in....

[Russ]

Italian V twins that is. I enjoyed the 350 over the summer but having just sold my Moto Guzzi S3 after 42 years ownership I was able to fill the hole left in the garage with an Excalibur 501. It needs a little work but nothing major I think. When I was making up my list of jobs to do over the winter I wondered is the 501 better geared than than 350 which certainly became more relaxing to ride with a 38T sprocket. Has anyone tried alternative size rear sprockets on the 501 or is standard as good as it gets?

['It must be a .....']

Hi Russ, is it a series 1 or 2 Excalibur and 530 or 520 chain/sprockets?

Standard 501 rear sprokets are
Camel/Coguaro 46T
New York/Excalibur 45T
Yet I have also seen 43T

I have some partly worn 520 sprockets if you want to experiment?

PM sent, Ian

[norbert]

And in a 350 sport frame I fiel fine with 39 T. But that is apotheke thing than an Excalibur. I'm quite sure that all 501 as well as the 350 custom models came with 520 chains.

[Russ]

Thanks for replies. Is it a series 1 or 2 ? I don't know how to tell the difference, I can say date of manufacture on V5 is 1990, it has a kokusan bottom end, Galardoni barrels and 28 phbh carbs and the engine breather pipes all go to a box under the seat with a single outlet if that helps to tell the difference.
The chain is 530 on 14/44 sprockets. I know the primary drive and gearbox ratios are not the same as the 350 Excalibur but the maths to work out what the overall ratios are is beyond me, so I wondering if anyone has either done the maths or found out by trial and error what sprockets work well.

[3potjohn]

I had 14 46 on my Coguaro. It now has 14 42, the latter from B&C who no longer offer sprockets. As it has a rear disc I could have gone lower but I had concerns about the effect on the chain run ( not based on fact)
It is better for road work as before it revved it’s ar*e off.
The Kokusan system is good. Things to check:
The starter gear sprag cush.
Check the rotor carefully for evidence of a loose magnet.
If needs be a one piece magnet can be fitted eliminating the risk of a magnet coming adrift. I have had this mod.
Happy riding.
John

[Russ]

Thanks for the reply John. Thanks for the info, the starter tip is on my to do list. Still not sure which rear sprocket to use, 42 teeth looks reasonable, I'll probably try that.

[julianharty]

On my current New York 501 I fitted a 43T rear sprocket, £19.99 including postage from A W Motorcycle Parts https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/392864019429

It suits the way I've been riding the bike - mainly A and B roads including longish rides of up to 150 miles ish. I'll have the previous rear sprocket somewhere, if/when I find it I'll post an update here so you know what I used to use on the bike. Good luck with your 501 Excalibur.