350x front sprocket

[camoweasel]

Is it possible to run a 14 tooth front sprocket WITH the case saver?? Also, with a 14/40 gearing combo, does the chain need to be longer or can the original chain be used?

I went to the 20s and it doesn't look like they make different size sprockets for the rear without custom ordering them.

[wonderboy]

I wasn't able to. I had a brand new case saver get chewed up in about 1 minute after trying a 14 tooth sprocket. The sprocket wasn't brand new, so it may be possible that the little amount of wear allowed the chain to move out and rub on the saver.

I was able to bolt it all up, it is just that under load, the chain would rub badly.

[camoweasel]

Thanks for the reply. After searching here and 3WO, it's a split where some people have used them and some say they can't? Since case savers are now discontinued and worth gold, I don't know if it's better to try the 14 tooth front, or just knuckle down and get the custom rear. I found that James Lucky ATV still offers 38 rears for the 85 models but they are made from aluminum and I'm afraid they will wear faster as compared to the steel sprockets I'm using now. According to the gearing calulators, I either need to use a 14 front, or a 36 rear in order to get close to the original final drive ratio. A 38 rear still might be little to low. Any other opinions??

[Dirtcrasher]

The used ones allow a 14, the new ones need to be carbide bit die ground. I just did that yesterday. I still have new and used ones and I keep my chain in adjustment so I didn't care. But, you actually don't have a ton of material to remove and if you have some other mods, the 14 pulls very well........

[camoweasel]

To me, I don't know if it would be worth grinding down new sprockets to make it fit with a case saver. Maybe I should just go back to the 22s.

[camoweasel]

Well I found a simple compromising solution. I've decided to keep running the 20s but instead of running the recommended 4PSI, I have found that bumping the pressure to 6PSI gives me about an extra 1/4 inch of lift. The extra two pounds in my opinion seems safe since the tires are still flat on top and they are not balloning around the sidewalls. This allows me to once again slide my ramps underneath my bike once it's loaded in the truck. Since I'm more of a woods rider, I think gearing now is much more fun and torqey to play around with now.

[Dirtcrasher]

You don't grind the sprockets, just a bit off the case saver and the used ones sometimes don't require any grinding for a 14 front. My original 350X did not but my crate motor did.

I run 20" tires too, 14 front and stock rear and the gearing is great.

I'll have to see how my 450R sprocket solution works out...........