Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

just got the bike and am going to use it for trail riding . if i change out the original 14 tooth sprocket and go to a 12 or 13 what effect will it have on the ride.. i am looking for a little less jerky and the ability to go slower if desired.. top speed means nothing to me.. i am 48 and 190 pounds. thanks david wheat

the sprocket is the little round thing that the chain spins on .....right ?

come on guys

i need your expertise.. don't be shy now

I went to a 13 tooth sprocket and standard 47 rear . To get my fat 115kg ass down to the first corner faster and give me more power out of the corners. It works well for me. It is better to idle back through the pits as well. Darcy

I personally would stay away from a 12 because of much shortened chain life. The ultra small front sprockets tend to stretch a chain much faster.

I am also 48 and 190. I prefer 13/48 after having tried several combinations. Still plenty of top end when you need it, but more grunt down low than 14 up front.
If you want it geared lower than that, I'd stick with a 13 up front and increase the rear size. Like a 13/51 rather than a 12/48, in other words.