Using smaller sprockets

[mculik]

I need to replace my chain and sprockets. I'm trying to maintain stock gearing (15/44) or thereabouts for mid Atlantic tracks. I went on eBay and saw a 41 tooth aluminum  sprocket that I impulsivly bought for $18.

My thought now is, throw a 14 tooth on the front to maintain the ratio. I bought the 41 because it was cheap and I have no self control...haha but there are some weight savings benefits to this approach (fewer links, lighter sprockets).

I replace the chain every season. Any downsides aside from longevity? Anyone have good/bad luck with downsizing front and rear?

[trace33chargers]

You just shortened your wheelbase a little bit and that'll change your swingarm angle...

You might notice, you might not. Depends on your skill level.

[Redlining52]

Smaller sprockets, less chassis pull or bind

[MELK-MAN]

if it came with 16t front stock, running a 14 is not a good idea. you are gonna wear out the swingarm protectors pretty fast..

and the day there is a rider skilled enough to tell the difference of the "chain pull" theory .. consistently.. i will be very impressed. i think that theory is just that. a theory. Run the drive ratio you want, with a sprocket combo that puts the axle in a position you want it.

[Apriliapilot]

 :wtf:pompous ass!

[MELK-MAN]

:wtf:pompous ass!

posting that pretty much none of us, as in almost no rider, could tell if the bike had the same final drive ratio.. but different sprocket combo?
yea.. i could see how one could assume i'm being a pompous ass from my comment.  LOL  ::)

[Gino230]

Geez guys Melka is trying to help and you call him a pompous ass?

Anyway, I wouldn't worry about sprocket size. You should worry about axle placement as Greg has said. I used to blow this off, but at Daytona when we put a small rear on, it moved the axle so far back that the bike wouldn't finish corners. It was a noticeable difference. So I switched to a 16T front. Of course this was on a LW bike that had no linkage- just a straight shock to swingarm. So YMMV.

[bruce71198]

:wtf:pompous ass!

Ouch....do you even know the man?

[Redlining52]

If a bike comes with a 17F stock, is it a bad idea to drop to a 15F?  I guess what I'm getting at is it bad to drop two sprockets on the front regardless of what the stock front sprocket is?

A 14 front is pretty freaking small so wasn't sure if it was a universal thing on it being a bad idea dropping 2 sprockets upfront or if you were just speaking in the case of if the front stock one is already a 16.

I hope what I'm thinking in my head just made some sense trying to type it out.

if it came with 16t front stock, running a 14 is not a good idea. you are gonna wear out the swingarm protectors pretty fast..

[bruce71198]

You would need to look at how the chain rides along the top of the swing arm in the area over the top of the swing arm pivot. If your front sprocket is to small the chain will ware down the plastic on top of the swing arm rather quick, not to mention the power robbing friction.