Honda XBR 500 Gearbox

[swoopy bend man]

Hi All

New to this forum so hear goes:-

I have Honda XBR 500 with what might be a gearbox on the way out. Since I'm looking for a 'new' (second hand) gear cluster I would like if possible like to have a wider ratio between 4th and 5th gear since in my opinion they are too close.
Does anybody know if the a gear cluster from a NX650 would fit and are there problems in doing this?

I have read on the forum where people have fitted the NX 650 engine into the XBR 500 but I'm only interested in fitting / changing the gear cluster to give me a more evenly spread out ratios.

Keep those swoopy bends coming!

[JOOLZ]

Shouldnt be a problem putting in an NX gear cluster, although I dont know if the output shaft is a larger diameter or not, you will also need to keep the rotary barrel that changes the gears

[SteveC#222]

If you use the NX cluster with the standard XBR primary and final ratios that would be geared for about 115 in top on the red line.  I just wonder how well a standard engine would pull the higher gearing in top as it struggles to get near the redline on standard gearing?

What is the problem with the gearbox? they are usually pretty tough unless it's a very high mileage.

[swoopy bend man]

Hi SteveC#222

I've owned my XBR for longer than I care to remember and I am the second owner and when I bought it had 1500 miles on the clock. Right from the word go 2nd gear had a slight whine and did a double take to go into 5th. It has never jumped out of any gear once engaged. However, I think it is possibly getting worse!

I don't know whether the previous owner had the same problem or he did something to the bike / engine before I owned it. Also, I'm not sure whether this is typical of the Honda boxes from that era! Talking to other owners they state they have no issues......?

Comparing bikes with a friend who has a SLR 650 I realise his bike has a wider ratio box. Since I would prefer wider ratios to suit my style of riding and knowing my box will potentially be a future problem hence the question about swapping gear clusters.

But, since taking my XBR out yesterday for the first time this year after re-taxing (I have other two wheelers) I decided the ratios are OK and the box is no worse than when I put it away for winter, so I will stick with what I've got.

I have recently managed to acquire set of gears and selectors just in case.