Lets talk sprockets!!

[honda400-4-ever]

Im deciding to by a smaller front sprocket for more bottom-end, so Im trying to decide which brand to get, Renthal or primary drive?

[Punkmaster Flex]

They're both alright, just go with the cheapest pricewise. :)

[bbender85]

i just bought a primary drive on rockymountainatvmc friday; haven't run it yet obviously but the reviews on the website all sound positive. i have another 14t i bought on ebay, don't even remember the brand, but that one has worked just fine too... ran it all last summer and it's been on my fiance's bike all spring and it still looks new.

[honda400-4-ever]

i heard that the primary drive is heavier than the renthal. how does that effect performance

[bbender85]

unless everything on your bike is fully built, lightened, and dialed in for competitive drag racing...... i wouldn't worry about it. :D

[johnnynonails]

ive gone the other way put a 16t on the front and a 36t on the rear,having a 440 kit on my bike it helps stop the engine reving its knackers off.and has plenty of grunt in all gears.john

lighter isnt always better those aluminum sprockets dont last long at all. For what they weigh that should not be a deciding factor on which one to buy.

[honda400-4-ever]

ok thanks you guys now i have another question, does going down one tooth make a BIG difference??

[BEAVER.989]

Going up one tooth on the front sure made a difference for me.

[F-16Guy]

Yeah, one tooth on the countershaft sprocket makes a substantial difference. You'll definitely feel it. I have Primary Drive sprockets, and they've been great so far.

[johnnynonails]

taking 1t off the front is like adding 3t on the rear.should see some nice gains.

[honda400-4-ever]

Ive heard things like "the gears are to short" and "you lose ALOT of top end" is that true going down one??

[BEAVER.989]

Originally posted by honda400-4-ever
Ive heard things like "the gears are to short" and "you lose ALOT of top end" is that true going down one?? "

I felt this was the case with the stock gearing, which is why I went up one. I think it's close to perfect now.

[johnnynonails]

yep, gears get alot shorter and u lose top end power,depends what riding u intend doing.as i said ive gone up 1t on the front and down 2t on there rear,which make my gearing longer

[honda400-4-ever]

how easy is it to change out the front sprocket??

[bbender85]

Originally posted by johnnynonails
yep, gears get alot shorter and u lose top end power,depends what riding u intend doing.

exactly. on one of the real tight practice tracks i ride, i tun a 14t front along with 18" rear tires.. so i am geared way down. then again i rarely get into 4th gear there. so unless you're going balls-out 5th gear all the time, you should be fine. and for less than $10... you're not out much if you don't like it.

[BEAVER.989]

It's a gravy job. Two 10mm bolts hold the sprocket guard, another two 10mm bolts hold the sprocket on. You'll also need to adjust the chain, which can be handled with the 6mm hex key in the tool kit.

[johnnynonails]

10 min job max,i also take spare sprockets to the various race tracks we go to during the year.as sometimes u need a little more bottom end

[honda400-4-ever]

tonite im ordering the sparks key and 14t sprocket. how will the 2 act........im thinking alot of torque. also when putting in the sparks key how do i prevent it from becoming sheared and if it is sheared how do i tell if it is??

[BEAVER.989]

You should have a 14T stock, unless it's been changed.

[honda400-4-ever]

i mean 13t....my bad :devil:

[Wheelie]

My Renthal front sprocket has been holding up great so far, good product, very nice fit and finish.


The Renthal aluminum rear isn't that great. Nice fit and finish, and light/looks great. However, it lasts only a couple months which sucks for a $50+ sprocket.

Originally posted by bbender85
exactly. on one of the real tight practice tracks i ride, i tun a 14t front along with 18" rear tires.. so i am geared way down. then again i rarely get into 4th gear there. so unless you're going balls-out 5th gear all the time, you should be fine. and for less than $10... you're not out much if you don't like it.

how is that possible? I have stock tires and gearing and I hit 4th gear everytime I ride and most track stuff i can tag 3rd gear rev limiter

[Snipe]

Originally posted by honda400-4-ever
tonite im ordering the sparks key and 14t sprocket. how will the 2 act........im thinking alot of torque. also when putting in the sparks key how do i prevent it from becoming sheared and if it is sheared how do i tell if it is??

I did the 1T up you will def feel it in the clutch and take off.

With the sparks key the shearing actually happens when the key is already installed and bike is running. Just install using a dead blow rubber hammer and you wont have a prob with it being out to far to shear off.

With the 2 I have seem a pretty nice gain over it. Hoping with the future work it will produce even better.