14 tooth sprocket?

[2000XR400R]

Anyone ever tried a 14 tooth sprocket on the front of a XR400 with a 45 tooth on the rear? If so was there any issues and how much difference did it make? Like or dislike? Just wanted some opinions before spending the time and money to order one. Thanks.

[aDayintheDirt]

i run a 14t 42t set-up (= stock 3.00 ratio) same as stock w/ less rotating mass and trail side option of hwy 15t 42t gearing

riding buddy runs 15t 48t set-up (same 3.20 as 14t 45t) runs alittle short for me (open desert) but the one thing i like about 3.20 is the (increased engine breaking) decreased speed on downhills.

Final Ratio

12 13 14 15 16 17

40 3.33 3.08 2.86 2.67 2.50 2.35

41 3.42 3.15 2.93 2.73 2.56 2.41

42 3.50 3.23 3.00 2.8 2.63 2.47

43 3.58 3.31 3.07 2.87 2.69 2.53

44 3.67 3.38 3.14 2.93 2.75 2.59

45 3.75 3.46 3.21 3.00 2.81 2.65

46 3.83 3.54 3.29 3.07 2.88 2.71

47 3.92 3.62 3.36 3.13 2.94 2.76

48 4.00 3.69 3.43 3.20 3.00 2.82

49 4.08 3.77 3.50 3.27 3.06 2.88

50 4.17 3.85 3.57 3.33 3.13 2.94

51 4.25 3.92 3.64 3.40 3.19 3.00

52 4.33 4.00 3.71 3.47 3.25 3.06

53 4.42 4.08 3.79 3.53 3.31 3.12

[damone]

If you dont like it, no big deal you can get a steel sprocket for $15.

I run a 14/45. Just perfect from tight NorCal singletrack to desert wild horse trails.

Set it like this for all the riding I do from 1-ft in elev. to 8000-ft.

I do look for a 6th gear on ocassion, but benefit from being able to carry second on big technical hill climbs.

[Trailryder42]

I agree with damone. A 14 is a really good, cheap way to get better technical trail and climbing performance and works well with the stock rear 45.

[Baja trail Rider]

I have used the 14 for single track hard trails works great,but once you get to a road slow top speed.

[aDayintheDirt]

I have used the 14 for single track hard trails works great,but once you get to a road slow top speed.

By "roads" do you mean double track? Seams to short to me for desert riding in So calif and baja.

[Kev_XR]

Asked yet again.

I've been running a 14 / 45 combo for years.

Makes the gap between 2nd and 3rd much smaller.

No need to change the chain length.

Top speed is down to low 70's instead of mid 70's.

I'm only on the freeway for short sections.

Unless I go to Baja, I'll never use a 15 again.

Takes about 15 minutes to swap out.

Having a 14 and 15 is called "the XR400 sixth gear".

[damone]

Asked yet again.

I've been running a 14 / 45 combo for years.

Makes the gap between 2nd and 3rd much smaller.

No need to change the chain length.

Top speed is down to low 70's instead of mid 70's.

I'm only on the freeway for short sections.

Unless I go to Baja, I'll never use a 15 again.

Takes about 15 minutes to swap out.

Having a 14 and 15 is called "the XR400 sixth gear".

Too bad you cant get that 6th gear on the fly.?

[2000XR400R]

Thanks guys for the replys. It sounds like it will work great for the woods I ride in. The biggest concern was if there was any mechanical issues that may come up from swapping sizes but it appears not. I will order one and try it.?

[Trailryder42]

If you're running a stock length chain, then the only mechanical issue you'll have is needing to readjust chain slack.

[markgoodall]

i run a 14t 42t set-up (= stock 3.00 ratio) same as stock w/ less rotating mass and trail side option of hwy 15t 42t gearing

riding buddy runs 15t 48t set-up (same 3.20 as 14t 45t) runs alittle short for me (open desert) but the one thing i like about 3.20 is the (increased engine breaking) decreased speed on downhills.

Final Ratio

12 13 14 15 16 17

40 3.33 3.08 2.86 2.67 2.50 2.35

41 3.42 3.15 2.93 2.73 2.56 2.41

42 3.50 3.23 3.00 2.8 2.63 2.47

43 3.58 3.31 3.07 2.87 2.69 2.53

44 3.67 3.38 3.14 2.93 2.75 2.59

45 3.75 3.46 3.21 3.00 2.81 2.65

46 3.83 3.54 3.29 3.07 2.88 2.71

47 3.92 3.62 3.36 3.13 2.94 2.76

48 4.00 3.69 3.43 3.20 3.00 2.82

49 4.08 3.77 3.50 3.27 3.06 2.88

50 4.17 3.85 3.57 3.33 3.13 2.94

51 4.25 3.92 3.64 3.40 3.19 3.00

52 4.33 4.00 3.71 3.47 3.25 3.06

53 4.42 4.08 3.79 3.53 3.31 3.12

I find that using this helps me visualize it www.sprocketcalculator.com

[2000XR400R]

I find that using this helps me visualize it www.sprocketcalculator.com

Great link! I like it!?

[Baja trail Rider]

Yes it is like you say to short for Baja.I use 16-45 on my 440 can do all the hard single track here.Only one trail I have to use a 13t Burro Canyon trail its a nice one.Not many water cooled bikes make it outa there.

[Alex 400]

My dad runs 14/45 on his bike and it is a nice balance between road speed and single track. I run 15/47 right now and I like that. Just a little bit slower than stock but faster than the 14/45. Another thing that i like is that the larger rear sprocket with the 15t front keeps the chain from digging into the rubber swing arm guard/chain guide when the chain runs off the top the sprockets.

[Thorndike]

I to have run a 14/45 for a long time. For me it's great for really tight single track and open desert, although I do look for 6th gear in the desert. Wide open on a dry lake bed I have been GPSed at 78 mph

When I go to Mexico I put on a 15 tooth and that works fairly well, goes as fast as I really want to.

On long rides it's easy to carry both a 13 and a 15 to change to if needed. It takes about 10 minutes to change over and adjust the chain.

[aDayintheDirt]

I to have run a 14/45 for a long time. For me it's great for really tight single track and open desert, although I do look for 6th gear in the desert. Wide open on a dry lake bed I have been GPSed at 78 mph

When I go to Mexico I put on a 15 tooth and that works fairly well, goes as fast as I really want to.

On long rides it's easy to carry both a 13 and a 15 to change to if needed. It takes about 10 minutes to change over and adjust the chain.

I did not think a 13t would fit? That would be good news! Thorndike, you talking xr400 w/520 chain?

[Stumpalump]

I did not think a 13t would fit? That would be good news! Thorndike, you talking xr400 w/520 chain?

I run a 13 with out problems. I love that granny low for the rocks and it's almost stall proof in 1st.

[lbxr400]

not to hijack the thread but im also looking to gear down some and am concidering the 14t front. how does that compare to a 47t rear or is it not much of a difference between the two. right now i have stock 15/45

[Thorndike]

Yes Dayindirt the 13 does fit. The 14/45 seems to be the best all around for the riding I do. With the 13 you can climb and be under controil on just about any single track in 2nd and 3rd gear. You still have first gear left if you need to climb a tree (traction permiting)

As I remember without looking at the book the the 520 chain should be 108 links long. Then it will fit a 13, 14 and 15 toothfront and a 45 tooth rear with only the snail adjustments on the axle.

FYI I save the links that come off the new chain and carry them, two master links and a small chain breaker with me when I ride. This has saved the day a few times on long rides.

[aDayintheDirt]

Thanks guys. Just ordered a 13t. I run a 42t ironman rear so this will give me the gear down option for Oregon trips.