Chain and Sprocket Questions

[skin290]

Just got a 2003 yz450, chain needs replacing, currently it is a 13/49 combo, would like to know what everyone else likes (for moto use). Also have noticed that 450's maybe wear the sprockets out quicker, if so what kind of sprockets and chains do you find wear the best, high-end or low-end, o-ring or non, are steel sprockets worth it? I thought I read where some expensive steel sprockets were about the same weight as aluminum?

Thanks

[sirthumpalot]

Lots and lots of discussion on this, search the threads for piles of info. In general; your gearing preference will likely differ based on the tracks you ride most often. I personally prefer sealed chains (x-ring, o-ring) and steel sprockets such as the Ironman. Aluminum just doesn't last compared to steel and the extra few ounces of weight don't bother me a bit. Also the sealed chains will give you on average much longer life than the standard chains. Any name brand should be fine (Regina, DID, etc..).

[skin290]

Life was what I was most concerned with, so that answers my question about the chain, I will have to look into the sprockets to see what those cost, what about the fact that a 450 wears them out quicker, I would assume that is true, but am not sure?

[dunecj2a]

Life was what I was most concerned with, so that answers my question about the chain, I will have to look into the sprockets to see what those cost, what about the fact that a 450 wears them out quicker, I would assume that is true, but am not sure?

Yeah man 450's eat aluminun sprockets ? I ride MX track that has a lot of tight turns with big tables or doubles out of them. I run 14/48 stock. Depends on what you want to spend for sprockets and how much weight matters to you. I run $16 Primary Drive steel and $48 Primary drive 8450 chain from Rocky Mountain MC. They last forever, I don't use Oring or Xring. The rear sprockets are HEAVY!!!! I just drill holes in them and then take a hacksaw and cut out the big areas of extra steel. Takes me like a 1/2 hour ro do it and it shave alot of weight

I have 4 months on my 48 and it still looks good

1 dune season at Glamis on my 50 with hardly any wear(Oct-Apr)

I got 1 weekend out at Glamis with the stock Sunstar aluminum

[Ga426owner]

Just got a 2003 yz450, chain needs replacing, currently it is a 13/49 combo, would like to know what everyone else likes (for moto use). Also have noticed that 450's maybe wear the sprockets out quicker, if so what kind of sprockets and chains do you find wear the best, high-end or low-end, o-ring or non, are steel sprockets worth it? I thought I read where some expensive steel sprockets were about the same weight as aluminum?

Thanks

on my 03 I use both 14/47 for longer/faster tracks & 14/48 for shorter/tighter tracks...

I use Ironman Stainless sprockets and DID ERT Gold chains - $189.00 for the set from Motosport Outlet

[ThumperKid250F]

get the ironman sprockets with a O-ring it willl last a long long time.

[grayracer513]

In general; your gearing preference will likely differ based on the tracks you ride most often. I personally prefer sealed chains (x-ring, o-ring) and steel sprockets such as the Ironman. Aluminum just doesn't last compared to steel and the extra few ounces of weight don't bother me a bit. Also the sealed chains will give you on average much longer life than the standard chains. Any name brand should be fine (Regina, DID, etc..).

Ditto to most of this. But, I do get much better rear sprocket life from Tag sprockets than from any other aluminum sprocket I've tried. They run about $65-$70. The Ironman is a good piece, though.

I use Tags front and rear, a Regina ORN chain, and 15/49 gearing. I get over a year from the rear sprocket, and close to two years from the chain.

[sirthumpalot]

If expense is the biggest issue then get something like a JT sprocket, the steel is about $20. Weighs a ton but will last a long long time. The fancy sprockets such as the Ironman will also last a long long time, but for the extra money you get much lighter weight and in the case of the Ironman free replacement if it wears out within a year. In reality you could buy a few JT's for the price of one Ironman so really you're paying extra for the weight savings, but you can be guaranteed at least one year for the price of admission.