Larger front sprocket on KZ750E

All the sprocket sites (JT, Z1) show my bike (1980 KZ750E-1) being able to take up to a 16-tooth front sprocket. But looking at the stock 13-tooth it's already a tight fit. Can I really fit a 15 or even 16 tooth? And if not then would changing over to a 530 chain make much of a diameter difference?

if you go up 2 two teeth on the front it is roughly the same as dropping 6 teeth on the rear front sprocket. it's a way cheaper to change out front than it is to replace the rear if it will fit. and you won't have to cut the chain either

Typically 1 tooth is all you can go on the front before you run into clearance issues with the chain touching the transmission cover surround.

Some people have fitted larger sprockets by cutting the sprocket cover surround area off - I don't recommend this.

if you go up 2 two teeth on the front it is roughly the same as dropping 6 teeth on the rear front sprocket. it's a way cheaper to change out front than it is to replace the rear if it will fit. and you won't have to cut the chain either

Thanks but that's not really my question.

I used to have a 14-tooth on it but it was rubbing on the chain guard. The chain guard around the front sprocket unbolts on my bike but then there's no protection for the clutch pushrod.

My 82 GPZ 750 only had room to go up 1 number to 14 teeth. Did it for a 6000 mile trip in 83 but put it back to stock when I got home,too hard on the clutch. Just rode faster, anyway

jimikz:
I just changed from a 13 tooth to a 14 tooth front sprocket, using a 630 chain. Jeff.Saunders is correct - a 15 tooth is too large, and a 16 tooth is really too large as it would contact the clutch pushrod, at least on my 82 KZ650 CSR. Even to get sufficient clearance with the 14 tooth, I had to elongate the 3 holes in the chain guard, so that it can be moced outboard slightly from the countershaft gear. Then I had to grind one area on the outside of the guard to clear the clutch pushrod.

The 14 / 33 gearing is very nice. Hope this helps.

Yeah that does help-thanks. I was wondering if I was the only one with this conundrum. I'll put on the 14-tooth. I already have a 32-tooth rear installed. I'm looking for a 30-tooth rear as the charts show them but I can't find one. I do mostly long-distance touring with this bike keeping pace with a ZX11 so if I can dial-back the tach a bit that would be nice.