RideForum.NET

I just thought I'd let you guys know you guys might want to check your swingarm slider. My rear slider by the rear sprocket looked worn, but when I removed it I could of let it go longer. The swingarm slider by the front sprocket didn't look worn at all where the chain lays. But when I removed it, it recently just broke thru and would of started to wear on the front underneath the swingarm. It doesn't look like the chain ever touches there. I can only assume it slaps up there where coming off the throttle hard.

Good reminder!

One item to consider is the small limit for your front sprocket [CSS]. On the KTM RFS bikes the gurus over at KTM Talk suggest not going below a 13T for the reason you state. Not sure what the lower limit is on other bikes, but something to consider when you regear. A 12T is available for the RFS bikes, but not recommended unless you plan on changing the slider quite often.

Another reason to not go too small on the CSS is the relatively large pivot angle it pulls the chain links through. The larger this pivot angle (sharper bend), the faster your chain wears via stretch and worn out o-rings. Thus a 13/48 (0.27) is harder on the chain than a 14/52 (0.27). Of course the upper limit for the rear is set by the chain guide and the upper limit for the front by the clearance with that guide. I remember seeing a website that had calculations for the relative loads on the chain at different sprocket sizes.