Getting More Top End without ear plugs

Ok, my 83 KZ550 Sport has pods, jet kit, and Lossa pipe. See below vid. However, as I approach 60 mph in 6th gear, the bike is already at 6000 rpms and setting off car alarms a block away. I was thinking of a 17T or 18T front sprocket with my 530 chain. I am able to rip through the gears pretty quick and am just looking for a longer 6th gear so I can cruise at 80 mph on the freeways.

Thanks,

Brendan

On my bike stock is 15T. I have a 16T now. I cruise at 5000 at 80. What you gain in low RPM at speed, you will lose in take off.
Steve

Based on my experience with the bike, it eats the gears. I searched and it looked like the 83 kz550 sport has a 16T sprocket. I could be wrong. Have to pull the cover to verify. Don't mind losing a little "Launch" for a 80 mph cruise speed.

I have a 630 chain so the count is different. With yours the 18T might make a noticeable difference.
Steve

Gorgeous bike. That is my favorite color scheme for those bikes.

It should be closer to 70mph, or even higher, at 6000. Even with a 15/42, you'd be doing somewhere around 65.
What sprocket do you have on back?
I like 16/38 on the Kz550D/H Gpz's, and that is stock for the gpz's.
My memory could be off, but I thought the Kz550A models came with 16/40. So the Kz550A does turn higher RPMs for a given speed, but the speed difference at 6000 is only a few mph.

My buddy changed his KZ550A to 17/40 and it's basically the same as 16/38.

All chain drive 550's have the same internal crank/secondary gears, clutch gears, and transmission gears, so their internal gearing is the same.
With 16/38, and an 18" rear wheel, with a 120, 90 - 18 tire, 6000 RPM is about 77 mph.

Brendan, what you can do is use a simple spreadsheet to play with front and rear sprocket sizes to see where your final RPM ends up. That way you determine what gear changes will net you the desired RPM level at 65.
I can send you mine if you PM me. It also does the calc for a 630 to 530 chain.